Want to vote in the 2020 election but aren't sure how?

Want to vote in the 2020 election but aren’t sure how? Explore the SOS website
Minnesota and Rock County in particular have long been national leaders in voter turnout, election reform and ballot integrity. One reason for that is the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, and local elections officials have cultivated voting systems that are both secure and user-friendly.
The Secretary of State website, sos.state.mn.us, is an easy to read, easy to navigate place for voters to find all kinds of information to help them participate in the election process. For example:
 
Who can vote in Minnesota?
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, in order to be eligible to vote in Minnesota, you must be: a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, a resident of the state of Minnesota for at least 20 days, and not currently serving a felony sentence (including probation, parole or supervised release)
 
How to register to vote in Minnesota
Minnesota residents can register in advance until 20 days before the election. Registration is available online on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website. Voter registration can also be completed using a paper form, like from a voter registration drive, county elections office, or printed from the Secretary of State's website and postmarked by 20 days before the election.
Registration is also available on Election Day at the polls by bringing in an approved document that proves your current address or having another registered voter in your precinct vouch for you.
You can check your registration status online at the Secretary of State's website.
 
What’s on your ballot?
One of the best ways to take the guess work out of voting is to view a sample ballot to explore candidates. Sample ballots can be found by searching your address on the My Ballot page of the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.
 
Where and when to vote on Election Day
The state has a Poll Finder available online, where you can enter your address to find your polling location. Most polls open starting at 7 a.m. on Election Day, and close at 8 p.m.; however, if you're already in line by 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
 
Do I need to bring an I.D. to vote?
Identification or proof of address is only needed if you need to register to vote at the polls. If your voter registration is current, your name will be on the voter list at your polling location and the state of Minnesota does not require you to show an ID to vote.
 
How to fill out a ballot
Whether it’s in-person or absentee, in most cases in Minnesota, voters will use a pen with blue or black ink to completely fill in an oval next to a candidate's name.
Be sure to read the headings in each section, as some city or school board races are filling multiple seats and will allow voters to cast a vote for more than one candidate.
In its tips for new voters, Minnesota Secretary of State's office also notes that voters don't have to fill out every race. Even if you leave some races blank, the rest of your ballot still counts.
 
Ask the experts
While the Secretary of State website offers contact information for people to ask questions, the best way for our Rock County voters to get answers is to call our county elections headquarters at 507-283-5060.