Park Perspective: 2022 special edition

Park Perspective SEPTEMBER 2022 SPECIAL EDITION Experience VOTING in the Park

City elections website: www.stlouispark.org/vote Contents 1. Prepare to vote, precinct locations 2. Voter registration, early voting 3. Voting under special circumstances 4. Yard signs, candidate information For city events, activities and news, visit www.stlouispark.org.

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www.stlouispark.org/vote

General election 2022 Tuesday, Nov. 8

Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Plan ahead – prepare to vote!

In this election, you will be able to vote for state and county offices like governor, U.S. representative, state senator and county attorney. If you live in Independent School District No. 283 (St. Louis Park Public Schools) your ballot will also include a special election for two seats on the school board to fill the remainder of two vacant terms.

Voting is your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable and to have a say in important issues that affect your community.

Whether you vote early at city hall or at your polling location on Election Day, we encourage you to plan ahead to make your voting experience as easy and efficient as possible.

Finding your polling location, registering to vote and learning what races will be on your ballot are all important steps to take when preparing to vote.

The elections team is here to help. Below are some of the most common questions asked during election season that will be answered in this issue of the Park Perspective.

• What’s on my ballot?

• What changed because of redistricting?

• Do I need to register to vote?

• How do I register to vote?

• Can I vote early?

• Where do I vote?

To find the answers to all these questions and more, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or call the elections hotline at 952.924.2503.

• Нужны материалы и бланки для голосования на русском? www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/russian • ¿Necesita materiales y formularios de votación en español? www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/spanish • Ma u baahantahay foomamka iyo agabka codaynta oo Luuqadda Soomaaliga ku qoran? www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/somali For additional languages, visit www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting and click the translate buttons at the top of the page.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities Permit No. 603

New polling locations The City of St. Louis Park completed redistricting for wards and precincts, a process that happens once every 10 years. The number of precincts in the city has been reduced from 16 to 12. This means you may have a new polling location if you choose to vote in person on Election Day. All registered voters were sent a postcard confirming their new ward, precinct and polling location. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s online poll finder tool has been updated with the changes.

St. Louis Park polling locations

Precinct 1 – Beth El Synagogue, 5225 Barry St. W. Precinct 2 – Wat Thai of Minnesota, 2544 Hwy. 100 S. Precinct 3 – St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

Precinct 4 – St. Louis Park Rec Center, 3700 Monterey Drive Precinct 5 – Vista Lutheran Church, 4003 Wooddale Ave. S. Precinct 6 – Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St.

Precinct 7 – St. Louis Park Senior High School, 6425 33rd St. W. Precinct 8 – Aquila Elementary School 8500 31st St. W. Precinct 9 – Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd.

Precinct 10 – St. Louis Park Middle School, 2025 Texas Ave. S. Precinct 11 – Park Harbor Church, 1615 Texas Ave. S. Precinct 12 – Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Road

Questions?

Call the elections hotline at 952.924.2503 or email elections@stlouispark.org.

New legislative districts State redistricting was completed before redistricting was done by the city. Under the new map, St. Louis Park will continue to be in Senate District 46. In Minnesota, each senate district is divided into two house districts, labeled “a” and “b.” The line dividing Senate District 46 shifted south because of population changes. The line now follows Highway 7 from the west, before turning south on Highway 100, continuing east along Excelsior Boulevard, then going south again on Quentin Avenue and continuing east along 40th Street West. Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are now in Minnesota House District 46a, and precincts 5 and 6 are in 46b. The City of St. Louis Park did not control any part of the process that determined the legislative boundary.

This is a special edition of the Park Perspective.

Look for the regular October Park Perspective in mid-October.

General election 2022 Tuesday, Nov. 8

Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Can’t make it to the polls on Election Day?

VOTE EARLY STARTING SEPT. 23!

The early voting period starts 46 days before any election, which means that early (absentee) voting for the Nov. 8 general election starts Friday, Sept. 23.

From Sept. 23 – Nov. 7, in-person early voting will be available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

Extended in-person early voting will be offered at city hall: • Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Monday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

If you choose to vote early in person, your ballot will be issued at city hall after you complete an absentee ballot application. Do not bring any mailed ballot materials with you if you are coming to city hall to vote.

Apply for an absentee ballot For every election in which you want to vote early, you must complete and submit an absentee ballot application. The absentee ballot application is required whether you vote early in person or by mail. The application has seven questions and requires:

Who can vote in Minnesota?

To be eligible to vote, you must be: • At least 18 years old on Election Day • A U.S. citizen • A resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days • Finished with all parts of any felony sentence

Am I registered to vote?

Check your registration status online at www.stlouispark.org/vote or by calling 952.924.2503 at least one month before you plan to vote.

Elections staff can only provide you with information about your own registration status.

Registering before Election Day If you know you are not registered to vote under your current name and/or at your current residential address, you should register to vote before Election Day. This will make your trip to the polls much faster. State law requires you to register at least 20 days before Election Day so that your name is on the list of registered voters at your polling location. The last date for preregistration for the 2022 general election is Oct. 18.

Registering on Election Day If you missed the preregistration deadline, you can register or update your registration when you vote. Whether you choose to vote early or at your polling location on Election Day, you will need to bring proof of residence to register. For a list of acceptable proofs of residence under state law, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or call 952.924.2503.

Don’t wait!

Don’t wait until Election Day – plan ahead and contact the elections team with any questions!

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September 2022

• • • •

Full name Date of birth Address where you live Providing either a Minnesota-issued ID or a driver’s license number OR the last four digits of your Social Security number; or mark a statement that you have never been issued either • Signing an oath that you are eligible to vote in Minnesota Absentee ballot applications are available: • In person at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

• By mail – contact the elections office at elections@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2503 • Online at www.stlouispark.org/vote Voting by mail If you plan to vote by mail in the election this fall, be aware of the following:

• Y ou can request a ballot online for the November election. This service is available in state election years only. Go to www.mnvotes.org/vote to request a ballot. You may also submit a paper application in person at St. Louis Park City Hall, by mail, by fax or through email.

• You must have a witness sign your ballot envelope. This is required for anyone who chooses to vote early, including by mail. Read the instructions that come with your ballot to learn more about who is eligible to be your witness. If the witness section is not completed when you return your ballot, your ballot will not be counted.

• You may return your voted ballot by mail, at the designated drop box outside the main entrance of St. Louis Park City Hall or in person at the city clerk’s office located on the third floor of city hall. Please note the drop box can only be used to return your own voted ballot. If you are returning a ballot for someone else, you must do so in person at the city clerk’s office.

Be prepared to show ID and sign paperwork. In any election, you can return voted ballots for up to three people, not including your own.

• Voting early by mail or in person at city hall is a great way to avoid lines and save time on Election Day. As a result of redistricting and the reduction in the total number of precincts in St. Louis Park, we expect Election Day to be busier overall.

I f you received your ballot through the mail, your completed ballot must be received at city hall no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day or through the mail by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. If you cannot return your ballot by the deadline, you should vote in person at your polling location on Election Day. The ballot you received in the mail may be spoiled and a new ballot will be issued at your polling location.

Reminders • I f you choose to vote early in person, your ballot will be issued at city hall after you complete an absentee ballot application.

• Do not bring any mailed ballot materials with you if you are coming to city hall to vote.

• You can apply for and pick up a ballot for yourself at city hall during the early voting period.

• You cannot pick up a ballot for anyone else, except during the seven days before Election Day (called “agent delivery”).

• Voted absentee ballots may not be dropped off at a polling location on Election Day.

General election 2022 Tuesday, Nov. 8

Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

When will my ballot be counted?

Voting under special circumstances College student

In a residential facility

College students should register to vote from the address they currently consider home. For many students this is likely a school address or a parent’s home. If you still go back home to visit but no longer consider it your home, you should register to vote where you live at school.

If you live in a residential facility (nursing home, assisted living facility, etc.) and need to register to vote, a staff person can go with you to the polling location to confirm your address. You can also vote by absentee ballot or agent delivery, and registration materials will be provided with your ballot, if necessary.

In the military or living abroad If you are currently serving in the military or are a citizen living abroad temporarily or indefinitely, you can have an absentee ballot sent to you wherever you are. Your ballot application also serves as a voter registration application. You can apply for an absentee ballot online any time during the year. You are encouraged to apply for your ballot as soon as you are able to so you have enough time to return it by Election Day.

Experiencing homelessness or inconsistent shelter

In a nursing home or hospital

If you are moving between states near Election Day, you will need to check how many days you need to reside in your new state before you can vote there. To vote in Minnesota, you must live in the state for at least 20 days before Election Day.

If you are temporarily staying in a nursing home or hospital, you may be eligible to have someone pick up and deliver a ballot to you. This is called agent delivery. Registration materials will be provided with your ballot, if necessary. You must apply for an absentee ballot from the city where you maintain residence, not necessarily the city where the nursing home or hospital is located.

If you are experiencing homelessness or have inconsistent shelter, you can register to vote using the location where you sleep as your address.

You may need to go to the polling location with someone who can confirm where you are living.

Moving on or close to Election Day

If you are moving within the state near Election Day, you must register to vote from the address you currently consider home.

Get your pocket voting guide today!

Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for this all-digital guide. You can download the guide for quick reference on key election information. It’s designed to offer the most important election information in a quick and accessible format.

A limited number of guides will be printed and distributed at public events and made available at public facilities. You may request a copy of the guide to be mailed to you by calling the elections line at 952.924.2503.

Some of our favorite features of this guide include ways to participate in elections, your rights as a voter, detailed lists of documents that may be used to register to vote and much more. Share the guide with neighbors or friends to spread the word about voting!

www.stlouispark.org/vote

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General election 2022 Tuesday, Nov. 8

Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Are yard signs regulated?

Yard signs cannot be restricted in size and number beginning 46 days before an election. Ten days after the general election has been held, and at all other times, a sign may be regulated by St. Louis Park city ordinance and state law. Please consult applicable rules before placing a sign or call 952.924.2592 for more information.

Yard signs can’t be recycled in St. Louis Park. These signs may be kept for future use, for an adapted use or discarded as waste. You may choose to check with the campaign that distributed the election sign to see if they are collecting these signs following the election.

Publicly owned land

(schools, public buildings, pa rks, etc.)

Traffic islands

Street signs, signals, fire hy Utility poles

drants

Yard signs

If you have questions about yard signs in St. Louis Park, call 95 2.9 24 .25 92 .

Candidate information We understand that voters are interested in learning more about the candidates on the ballot. In an effort to remain neutral, the city does not advertise for or provide background information on candidates or political platforms.

Candidates appearing on the ballot may have their own websites dedicated to their campaign. Voters can use the following resources to search for additional information about candidates: • V isit www.stlouispark.org/vote for candidate filings.

• R esearch candidate filing information on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, www.mnvotes.org. Any information a candidate provided at the time of filing, including contact information, will be listed on this site.

• R ead the St. Louis Park Sun Sailor for information on local candidates.

The timing and content of any articles are not under the city’s control.

For more information, contact the Sun Sailor directly.

Check your polling location

We need your help!

Each year, the city reviews our polling locations to ensure they meet voter needs, service expectations and the requirements of election law. If you plan to vote in person on Election Day, remember that your polling location may have changed as a result of redistricting.

Always check your polling location before you go to vote by using the Minnesota Secretary of State’s poll finder at www.mnvotes.org or calling 952.924.2503.

Help us plan for future elections by taking a survey on voting services in St. Louis Park. When you vote, you will be offered the chance to take an anonymous survey on election services. If you do not vote in the next election, we still want to hear from you.

When you arrive at your polling location on Election Day, be sure to follow the signs posted to locate the designated voter entrance and the room where you will vote. Election workers will be on-site to answer questions and provide assistance.

Get involved – stay informed!

The City of St. Louis Park values voter engagement and education. We want all St. Louis Park voters to feel informed, included and heard. We have many ways for you to connect with us and with your community about elections in St. Louis Park.

Your reviews and insight will help us improve for future elections.

In addition, this information will help the St. Louis Park City Council understand voter needs and the effectiveness of current services.

You will receive information on how to participate in this survey when you go to vote. If you do not vote or vote by mail, look for a survey link at www.stlouispark.org/vote or on the city’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@stlouispark).

COVID-19 precautions COVID-19 safety measures for elections will be dependent on current COVID-19 guidelines. Check www.stlouispark.org/vote for the latest information before you come to vote.

Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for more information on outreach opportunities or to get involved.

Experience VOTING in the Park

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September 2022