Election Guide 2016: Polling Places, Times, Ballots in Mendota Heights

Voters across Dakota County who don't cast a ballot during the early voting period will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8, to vote for president, along with Congressional races, state Supreme Court, district courts, and decide whether lawmakers should be able to raise their own pay.

Here’s what voters need to know:

Polling Hours

Polling hours across the state from from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Where to vote

Use the Polling Place Finder to find out where to go on Election Day.

Who can vote in Minnesota

To vote in Minnesota, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old on Election Day
• A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
• Finished with all parts of any felony sentence

Do I need to bring ID?

If your voter registration is current and active, you do not need to bring identification to vote. This means you were successfully registered at least 21 days before Election Day and you have not moved or changed names since then.

Register on Election Day

To register at your polling place on Election Day, bring one proof of residence listed below:

• ID with current name and address
• Photo ID and a document with current name and address
• Registered voter who can confirm your address
• College student ID with housing list
• Valid registration in the same precinct
• Notice of Late Registration
• Staff person of a residential facility

Ballot Amendment

In 2016, there will be one proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot in Minnesota. Voters will have the following constitutional amendment question on their ballot:

Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to remove state lawmakers' power to set their own salaries, and instead establish an independent, citizens-only council to prescribe salaries of lawmakers?

Yes

No

Failure to vote on a constitutional amendment will have the same effect as voting no on the amendment.

View your sample ballot

Taking photos is discouraged

There is no law that strictly prohibits taking photos or videos in the polling place to record your own voting experience in Minnesota. However, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State discourages this activity for the following reasons:

• Voters have a right to privacy, both as to how an individual has voted as well as whether or not an individual has voted. Either or both of these could be compromised by pictures or video. In addition, other voters' objections to being photographed could lead to disruptions within the polling place.
• When voter turnout is high there may be lines and polling places may be crowded. Voters have a right to take the time they need to vote, but should not take extra time to take pictures.
• In addition, Minnesota Statutes 204C.17 and Minnesota Statutes 204C.18 prohibit voters from showing their marked ballot to others. Taking photographs or video of your own marked ballot could violate this prohibition.

County Election Office

Your county election office keeps your voter registration record and handles many aspects of the voting process.

Dakota County

• Election official: Joel Beckman
• General phone: (651) 438-4305
• Fax: (651) 438-4391
• Website
• Email

Witnessing Election Fraud

To file a complaint:

• Complete the Minnesota State Election Law Complaint Form.
• Cite the election law you believe was violated. Chapters covered include Minnesota statutes Chapter 200 (General Provisions), Chapter 201 (Registration and Eligibility of Voters), Chapter 203B (Absentee Voting), Chapter 204C (Election Day Activities) and Chapter 206 (Voting Systems).
• Have the form notarized and return it to your county attorney for investigation.

Image via Patch Media File