by Dennis Dalman
Early primary voting began June 28 and will continue until Aug. 13, which is the day of the primary elections throughout Minnesota.
The purpose of a primary is to determine which two candidates will face off in a general election, which this year will take place on Nov. 5.
In early voting, there are two optional ways to vote – by mail-in ballot or by in-person voting.
A voter in Minnesota must be 18 and a resident of the state.
To learn the details about how to do early voting, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.mn.us. Then click on “Elections & Voting.” You will see several choices on which to click: “Register to Vote,” “Other Ways to Vote,” “What’s on My Ballot?,” “Election Day Voting.”
You can also apply for an absentee ballot on that website or you can download a ballot application that you can fill out and send in via mail.
If you are not yet registered, you can also register on the Secretary of State website. Voters can also find out their vote polling locations on that website.
Another way to get more information about early voting is to call the Elections Call Center at 1-877-600-VOTE (8683).
This year, all of Minnesota’s eight U.S. Congressional Districts will be on the ballot. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar will also be up for re-election.
In the St. Cloud area (including the cities of Sartell, St. Stephen and St. Joseph), the following candidates will be on the primary ballots:
U.S. Senator
Republicans John Berman, Joe Fraser, Patrick D. Munro, Christopher Seymore Sr., Raymond D. Peterson, Loner Blue, Royce White, Alycia R. Gruenhagen.
Democrats Amy Klobuchar (incumbent), Steve Carlson, Ahmad R. Hassan, George H. Kalberer, Ole Savior.
U.S. Representative
Sixth District
Democrats Austin D. Winkelman, Jeanne Hendricks.
Republicans Tom Emmer (incumbent), Chris Corey.
Early primary voters should keep in mind the following information:
Locations will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 and until 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12.
Mailed-in primary ballots must be signed by a witness – either another registered voter or by a public notary.
