Brief: Absentee Voting Instructions For District 197's 2011 Election

Absentee voting for the upcoming West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District election and referendum is under way.

Assistant to the Superintendent Kathy Mutch said she’s receiving 3-5 requests for applications a day, and demand is just now starting to pick up.

Anyone who expects to be unable to go to a polling place on Nov. 8 may vote absentee, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.  

Overseas and deployed military voters can use the Minnesota Military and Overseas Voter Service online.

Residents can vote in person and by mail (or email, if you have a scanner).

To apply for your absentee ballot and to vote in person:

• Visit the next to from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
• Visit the Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road West in West St. Paul.
• Visit the Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley.
• Visit the Dakota County Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55 in Hastings.  

To apply for your absentee ballot by mail:

Complete an application and submit it by mail, fax or email (print off the application, sign it, scan it, and attach to an email as a pdf) to the District 197 office. The addresses are on the application. Once an application has been received, a ballot will be mailed to you.

To return your absentee ballot:
Ballots must be received by Election Day, so follow the directions carefully and return your ballot as soon as possible. 

• Mail back your ballot in the pre-paid envelope provided. It's already addressed for you.

• Up until 5 p.m. on the day before the election, you may deliver your ballot in person.

• Someone else can return your completed ballot, sealed in its envelope, up until 3 p.m. on Election Day. You can deliver the ballots of up to three people.

• Ballots can also be sent using a package delivery service. Ballots mailed must be received by the district office by 3 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information on absentee voting, visit the Secretary of State’s website or call Dakota County Elections at 651-438-4380.

Sources: Secretary of State Office, District 197