SODA!!! REMEMBER TO WRITE IN BIDEN

To expand on this: Minnesota is very good about making sure people who are eligible to vote can.

Judges will help you register. Basically, you need an ID and proof that you live at your current address. The latter can be a recent utility bill for your address, with your name on it; it can be someone who comes with you to vouch for you.

If you live with someone who pays the bills and so don’t have any bills in your own name, the person who pays the bill can vouch for you if they come with you. They either need to be themselves registered to vote, or need to bring an ID and bill in their name. Any registered voter from your precinct can vouch for you. They will have to sign an oath that you do, indeed, live at your address. And, again, they have to be registered to vote in the same precinct as you, but this means your neighbor can vouch for you.

If you live in, e.g., a retirement facility, such facilities will often both bring you to the polls and vouch that you live at the address.

If you moved recently within the same precinct, or have changed your name, you do not have to re-register or prove that you live at your new address - you are still registered to vote within that precinct. You only need to tell the election judge your previous address.

If you are a student receiving student aid or live in student housing, all you need is your student ID. Your university is required to attest to the state the addresses of these students.

Students, the elderly, and SO’s living with their partners - people who often don’t get utility bills directly in their names - are well protected by Minnesota’s laws. If you aren’t registered, show up, have your ID, and if you have a bill or someone eligible to vouch for you, or you get financial aid, you can register and vote at the same time.

The election judges will do their best to help you register - that’s a big part of why they are there! It’s literally their jobs (although many are volunteers); don’t stress about it, and don’t be anxious.

Also: Minnesota mandates an equal distribution of judges from each of the two major parties(*) at each election place. There will be someone from each party who took an oath to ensure no voter intimidation happens at the polls. If you do see intimidation outside the poll, tell an election judge inside, and they’ll deal with it (there will be an experienced chief judge onsite who will know who to call).

I can’t stress enough that Minnesota tries very hard to ensure that you can (legally) vote. For example:

• If you are married and you aren’t registered, and your spouse won’t vouch for you or you are afraid to ask your spouse to vouch for you, you can bring a neighbor who’s registered to vote and if they’ll vouch that you live at your address, you can register and vote at the polling place in election day.
• If you’re a student living at a house with other students and one of the others is paying the bills, bring that person and have them vouch for you and you can register and vote.
• If you’re living in an assisted living facility, ask your house manager about getting to the polling place to vote. They will almost certainly not only get you there, but also have someone who will attest and sign the oath that you live there.

There is almost no reason you can’t vote. Do it.

Oh! This year, Minnesota has implemented accessability improvements! If you have difficulty getting into the polling building, you can literally vote from your car! Look for the sign in the parking lot with the telephone number, call it, and a judge will come to your car with a tablet with which you can vote; this includes registering you to vote, if necessary. For everyone who can get in, please do; don’t use the parking lot voting option unless you need it - it does add overhead, and judges will be busy this election. However, if you do need to use it, do! You’re who it’s there for.

(*) we’re a two party system; it’s not my fault.