Early voting starts today in Minnesota. Here's what that means for Cook County voters
Sep 23, 2024 08:17AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Tiffany Tertipes on Unsplash.com
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 20, 2024
There may be six weeks until Election Day on November 5, 2024, but Minnesota residents can begin voting today. Minnesota joins South Dakota and Virginia as some of the first states to allow voting this early—46 days before Election Day, to be specific.
Many Cook County residents reside in a Mail Ballot Precinct, meaning a ballot will automatically be mailed to registered voters the week of October 7. It is important to note that a mail ballot is not the same thing as an absentee ballot. Cortnee Bernier, Cook County Tax and Elections Administrator, shared with Boreal Community Media that these residents do not have to apply for an absentee ballot "unless they will not be at their voting residence to receive their Mail Ballot." If that is the case, an absentee ballot must be requested. Bernier went on to say that there are some voter groups mailing absentee ballot applications to voters. "We want [people] to know that they do not have to return the various absentee ballot applications that various voter groups are directly sending to people UNLESS they will not be at their voting residence to receive their Mail Ballot." Those in Mail Ballot Precincts can also vote in person at the Cook County Courthouse (411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais, MN).
To register to vote or to see if you are registered, you can do so in person at the Cook County Auditor's Office or online. Minnesota also allows in-person voter registration on Election Day. Click here to learn more about voting information and resources in Cook County, including where to register, what you will need, and/or where to vote.
If you are registered to vote but have not received your ballot in the mail by October 18 (and are in a Mail Ballot Precinct), call the Cook County Auditor’s Office at (218) 387-3640.
If you are not in a Mail Ballot Precinct, you can request an absentee ballot for early voting online at www.mnvotes.org or by visiting the Cook County Auditor's Office in person. For those requesting an absentee ballot via mail, another registered Minnesota voter or notary will need to sign the signature envelope that contains voting materials. Voters can track the status of their ballot here.
Any ballots (mail ballot or absentee) received via mail must be dropped off in person at the Auditor's Office at the Cook County Courthouse or placed into the secured box outside the Courthouse by 8 pm on Election Day.
The Cook County Auditor's Office is offering extended hours for mail ballot or absentee voting, which are as follows:
Registered Cook County voters will have the option to vote for President of the United States, U.S. senator, U.S. Representative District 8, and the Cook County Schools Bond Referendum.
Those who reside in Districts 2 and 4 will have the option to select candidates for the North Shore Health Hospital Board, Cook County School Board, and Cook County Commissioner.
Residents of Districts 1, 3, and 5 will be able to select a candidate for the Cook County Soil and Water Board.
Finally, residents of Grand Marais will have the option to vote for mayor and city council members, and there will be a special election for a council seat.
See the results of the 2024 Primary Elections and Cook County Candidate Filing Periods here.
To view a sample ballot ahead of time, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website here.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 20, 2024
There may be six weeks until Election Day on November 5, 2024, but Minnesota residents can begin voting today. Minnesota joins South Dakota and Virginia as some of the first states to allow voting this early—46 days before Election Day, to be specific.
Many Cook County residents reside in a Mail Ballot Precinct, meaning a ballot will automatically be mailed to registered voters the week of October 7. It is important to note that a mail ballot is not the same thing as an absentee ballot. Cortnee Bernier, Cook County Tax and Elections Administrator, shared with Boreal Community Media that these residents do not have to apply for an absentee ballot "unless they will not be at their voting residence to receive their Mail Ballot." If that is the case, an absentee ballot must be requested. Bernier went on to say that there are some voter groups mailing absentee ballot applications to voters. "We want [people] to know that they do not have to return the various absentee ballot applications that various voter groups are directly sending to people UNLESS they will not be at their voting residence to receive their Mail Ballot." Those in Mail Ballot Precincts can also vote in person at the Cook County Courthouse (411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais, MN).
To register to vote or to see if you are registered, you can do so in person at the Cook County Auditor's Office or online. Minnesota also allows in-person voter registration on Election Day. Click here to learn more about voting information and resources in Cook County, including where to register, what you will need, and/or where to vote.
If you are registered to vote but have not received your ballot in the mail by October 18 (and are in a Mail Ballot Precinct), call the Cook County Auditor’s Office at (218) 387-3640.
If you are not in a Mail Ballot Precinct, you can request an absentee ballot for early voting online at www.mnvotes.org or by visiting the Cook County Auditor's Office in person. For those requesting an absentee ballot via mail, another registered Minnesota voter or notary will need to sign the signature envelope that contains voting materials. Voters can track the status of their ballot here.
Any ballots (mail ballot or absentee) received via mail must be dropped off in person at the Auditor's Office at the Cook County Courthouse or placed into the secured box outside the Courthouse by 8 pm on Election Day.
The Cook County Auditor's Office is offering extended hours for mail ballot or absentee voting, which are as follows:
- Saturday, October 26th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 29th, from 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 2nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday, November 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, November 4th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registered Cook County voters will have the option to vote for President of the United States, U.S. senator, U.S. Representative District 8, and the Cook County Schools Bond Referendum.
Those who reside in Districts 2 and 4 will have the option to select candidates for the North Shore Health Hospital Board, Cook County School Board, and Cook County Commissioner.
Residents of Districts 1, 3, and 5 will be able to select a candidate for the Cook County Soil and Water Board.
Finally, residents of Grand Marais will have the option to vote for mayor and city council members, and there will be a special election for a council seat.
See the results of the 2024 Primary Elections and Cook County Candidate Filing Periods here.
To view a sample ballot ahead of time, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website here.
