Cook County News Herald

Instructions for absentee voters




Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced on June 29 that the absentee voting period for the State Primary Election had begun. Absentee voting ends August 13.

Ritchie also told voters that they can use the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online tool to check the status of their absentee ballots.

“We anticipate that almost 300,000 Minnesotans will vote by absentee ballot this election,” said Secretary Ritchie. “Having the option of casting an absentee ballot is important—especially for our military personnel who are serving overseas.”

Minnesota’s voters may only vote absentee for one of the following reasons: absence from the precinct; observance of religious discipline or holiday; illness or disability; serving as an election judge in another precinct; or when an emergency is declared by the governor or a quarantine is declared by the federal or state government.

In Cook County, voters may visit the county auditor’s office to vote in-person as an absentee. To get absentee voting forms or additional information visit: www.mnvotes.org.

The absentee ballot lookup allows a voter to track where his or her ballot is in the process and when it has been successfully counted. The absentee ballot lookup can be accessed at www.mnvotes.org. Information for military and overseas voters is available on the Overseas Vote Foundation website at: minnesota.overseasvotefoundation.org.

To log in to the absentee ballot lookup the voter must provide first and last name (name must match voter’s name entered on the absentee ballot application or voter registration), date of birth, and the identification number on the absentee ballot application.

To ensure that their absentee ballot is successfully cast and counted voters must follow the instructions and fill out the required forms completely.

“The Absentee Ballot Lookup will keep voters informed and help voters ensure that their ballots are cast successfully,” explained Secretary of State Ritchie.



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