Election Day 2022 – Tuesday, November 8
Cardinals Count. Make your voice heard in the upcoming elections. Even though this is a midterm election, there are many races and issues that impact students. Get educated about the issues and vote.
Make a Plan to Vote
Dates to Remember
September 23 – first day to vote early in the State of Minnesota
October 3 – 7: Voter Education Week. Watch for more information.
October 28: National Vote Early Day
November 8: Election Day
In Minnesota, you can register to vote on Election Day. If you’re voting for the first time in Minnesota, you will have to show an ID to vote if you registered by mail and your ID number could not be verified by the state, or if you are registering to vote on Election Day. Acceptable forms include:
- valid ID with current name and address, which can be expired (e.g. driver’s license, Minnesota ID card, learner’s permit, US passport, student ID from a Minnesota high school, college, or technical school, U.S. military or veteran ID, or a tribal ID card with name, address, photo and signature)
- photo ID and a document with current name and address, which can be shown on an electronic device (e.g. utility bill, bank or credit card statement, mortgage or lease)
- registered voter from your precinct who can confirm your name and address
- college student ID (if a student housing list is provided)
As a university student, you have the choice to vote the local ballot at either your home residence or at your university.
Back Home | At School |
---|---|
Register to Vote: If you registered to vote with your home address for the last election, your registration is still valid, no need to re-register. Pre-registration closes October 13th | Even if you registered in the past, you will need to re-register at your new university housing address. Pre-registration closes October 13th |
Vote in person at the polling location on Election day OR vote by absentee ballot OR vote early if permitted by your state. See below for more information. | Vote at the polling location OR vote by absentee ballot or vote early in person using an absentee ballot. See below for more information. |
Remember that you can only vote in one state.
Each state has its own policies around voting. Know your state’s requirements before heading to the polls
Research shows that if you make a plan to vote, you are more likely to actually vote. So, make a pledge to vote here
Get Informed
Check out these nonpartisan resources from the League of Women Voters. You can also see how your major is related to election issues at Your Major on the Ballot.
Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website for more information about voting in Minnesota..
Don’t know who is on your ballot. Check out these resources:
Why Should I Vote?
- Exercise your right and responsibility: The right to vote is a bedrock principle in a democracy and electoral participation is an essential civic duty. While many governments around the world deny citizens the power to elect their leaders, the American system provides one the opportunity to select their political representatives — the sign of democratic legitimacy.
- Shape the political agenda
- Are you passionate about a particular political issue? Learn about candidates’ views on the social, economic, and environmental issues that are important to you and use your vote as a call for action. For example,
- Student loans, Pell Grants, and work-study are all federal programs. Your vote for the president and congressional representatives means you have a say in how those programs are shaped for years to come.
- Your vote for Governor and state representatives will affect state aid to you.
- Are you passionate about a particular political issue? Learn about candidates’ views on the social, economic, and environmental issues that are important to you and use your vote as a call for action. For example,
- Demonstrate concern for the next generation: By voting you are not only doing your part to influence the present, you are also affecting the future.
- Honor past sacrifice: Voting is a way to honor those who have helped to secure our rights. Military members who have fought for this country, suffrage activists and Civil Rights leaders are only a few examples of those to whom we owe our respect and appreciation. Voting gives you the opportunity to help pay that debt.
- Your vote MATTERS
- Too often, many students feel that their vote does not matter. But recent elections show that outcomes can be decided by a handful of votes. If you do not vote, your voice is not heard. Moreover, college students have the potential to be a key constituency in every election. With millions of college students eligible to vote, your collective voice can make a significant difference.
Vote. Remember Cardinals Count
Absentee Ballots:
Minnesota – You can apply for an absentee ballot in Minnesota here. You can apply for a ballot any time during the year, except the day of the election. Leave time for election officials to mail your ballot. Your returned ballot must be received by Election Day.
States other than Minnesota – Visit Can I Vote and choose your state from the dropdown menu. It will take you to your state’s requirements and processes for absentee voting
Voting Early:
Minnesota – Minnesota does offer early voting. You can vote early with an absentee ballot at your county elections office. Some cities and towns in Minnesota offer additional locations for early voting. See here.
Other States – You can check to see if your state offers early voting and the process for doing so here. Not all states offer early voting. Even if your state does offer early voting, please be aware of any deadline for such voting.
Voting in Person:
Winona on-campus students: On Election Day, you can simply walk up the hill to the Radiant Church, 850 Highway 14, to vote. Click here for a map to the polling place.
Winona off-campus Students: Where you live in Winona will determine where you vote. In order to vote in Winona (if you have not yet registered), you will need to bring your driver’s license/government issued id, a copy of a bill with your name and your Winona address, or a copy of your lease agreement with your name on it. If you don’t have any of those, you can also have a Minnesota resident (who has already registered) vouch for you at the polls. Find your polling place here.
Rochester Campus students: Check out the Olmsted County Elections & Voting for information on polling places.
Minneapolis Campus students: Check out Hennepin County Prepare to Vote for where to vote.
If you are voting in another state, you can find your polling place at Vote.org.
Cardinals Count Vote 2022 Goals
- Register 92% of undergraduate students
- Grow voter turnout for Black populations and Asian populations by 10% each
- Increase the turnout rate to 94% of registered students, for an overall turnout of 83%