To the editor:

The League of Women Voters New Ulm is pleased so share information on absentee voting, which began on June 28 for the Aug.13 primary.  Whether by mail or in person, absentee voting is a great way to exercise your right to vote in a safe, secure way at your convenience. In Minnesota, you do not need an excuse to vote absentee.

To vote absentee, you can request a ballot, regardless of your registration status, at mnvotes.gov/absentee. As of June 1, 2024 eligible Minnesota voters can now join a Permanent Absentee List when registering to vote or updating an existing registration at mnvotes.gov/register. Permanent absentee voters will receive a ballot before every election as long as their registration remains active and is unchallenged or until opting out.

The absentee voting process is secure. Once an absentee ballot application is received by the county elections office, it is entered into the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS). An absentee voter receives the ballot that is applicable to where they live and the races for which they should be voting. Returned ballots are reviewed and validated by the absentee ballot board, verifying the person is eligible to vote and the person voting is the one who requested the ballot. Receipt and acceptance of the ballot is noted in SVRS, ensuring that someone cannot vote again on election day or request an additional absentee ballot. Voters can track their ballot at mnvotes.gov/track.

Absentee balloting safeguards ensure that voting from home is trusted and secure. Absentee balloting enables a voter to cast their ballot if they will be out of town or unable to go to the polls on election day, and allows a voter time to learn about the candidates on the ballot on their own time.   

LWV New Ulm is a non-partisan organization, encouraging information and active participation in government.  We urge people to cast their ballots in the Aug. 13 primary and the Nov. 5 general election.

The League of Women Voters