by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Many questions abound about the process of voting for the upcoming $105.8-million school-bond referendum Tuesday, May 24 in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.
How do I register to vote? Can I vote early? What precinct do I live in? Where is the polling place where I go to vote May 24? What do I bring with when registering to vote?
Earlier this week, the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader visited with the school district’s communications coordinator, Amy Trombley, to find the answers to those questions. All of the information has long been on the school district’s website, but some people were – or still are – unaware of that fact.
The following are the basics, but the Newsleader suggests readers go to the district website to learn in more detail about the bond issue and what it would pay for.
Early voting
Yes, people can come to the School District Services Office building to fill in a request for an absentee ballot and then vote right there, on the spot. That can be done right up until May 23, the day before the election date.
The District Services Office building is located at 212 Third Ave. N. in Sartell. Its business hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Those who want to vote should enter Door 10 on the north side of the building.
People no longer need an excuse to vote by absentee ballot. If people want to vote early, they can; it’s as simple as that.
What to bring
Those who register to vote will be eligible to vote not only in the school-bond election but also the upcoming general/presidential election Nov. 8 as well as any other local, state or national elections.
To register at one’s polling place on election day (May 24 in this case) or to register at the school-district office, bring along one proof of your residence as among the many options below:
- Valid Minnesota drivers’ license, learner’s permit or state ID, or a receipt for any of those.
- Photo ID and a document with current name and address. The ID can be expired.
- Driver’s license, state ID or learner’s permit issued by any state.
- U.S. passport.
- U.S. military or veteran ID.
- Tribal ID with name, signature and photo.
- Minnesota university, college or technical college ID.
- Minnesota high school ID
Documents one could bring include:
- Bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election date (May 24). They could include documents for phone, TV or Internet; bills for solid waste, sewer, electric, gas or water; banking or credit-card bills or receipts; rent or mortgage papers.
- Other documents one could bring are a residential lease or rent agreement valid through election day or a current student-fee statement.
Vouching means a registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. If someone vouched for you, you cannot vouch for others.
Colleges and universities send election officials a student-housing list. If you are on the list, show your college photo ID to complete your registration.
If you were previously registered in the same precinct but changed names or moved within that same precinct, you need only tell the election judge your previous name or address.
If you registered within 20 days of the election, you may receive a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. Bring it with you and use it as proof of residence to register.
People who live in residential facilities can have a staff person go to the polling place with them to confirm the resident lives there. There is no limit as to how many residents one staff employee can vouch for.
What’s my precinct?
There is an easy way to find out. Just go online to the school district website at: www.sartell.k12.mn.us/bond-2016
Then go to the grid boxes just below the photo and click on the box that says “Voting Information.” The precincts and polling locations are listed. Beneath that grid of boxes it says “Click here to find out where you live.” Click on that. A “Polling Place Finder” will appear. Enter either your zip code or your county. Then hit “Go.” Enter your house number and your street. Click “Go” and your precinct will come up.
Voting day
The three polling places (two in Sartell, one in St. Stephen) will be open from 7 a.m-8 p.m. on election day Tuesday, May 24.
The following are the polling places:
- For residents of Sartell Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4 and people living in LeSauk Township, the polling place is LeSauk Township Hall, 220 Fourth Ave. S. in Sartell.
- For residents of Sartell Precincts 5, 6, 7, the polling place is Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road.
- For residents in St. Stephen and the townships of St. Wendel and Brockway, the polling place is St. Stephen City Hall, 2 Sixth Ave. S.E. in St. Stephen.
Eligibility
To be eligible to vote, a resident must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 18 on Election Day.
- Be a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days before Election Day.
- Must have any felony conviction record discharged, expired or complied with.
- Must not be under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked your voting rights.
- Must not have been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law.
- Must be properly registered.
More questions?
People with questions can call Amy Trombley, school district communications coordinator, at 320-656-3701, ext. 1112.
