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1. Who is eligible to vote?

You are eligible to vote in Minnesota if you are:
At least 18 years or older;
A citizen of the United States;

A resident of Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the Election Day.
Not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes the person's right to vote
Have his/her felony sentence expired (been completed) or been discharged from his/her sentence

2. How do I register to vote?

Voter Registration Applications are available at the Watonwan County Auditors Office. Applications are also available at your local post office, school district office and libraries.
You can also register to vote when applying for or renewing your drivers license. The information will be forwarded to Watonwan County for processing.
Pre-registration closes 20 days prior to an election.

3. What if I have changed my name or address since I last registered?

Any previously registered voter who changes his or her name or ANY address change must re-register to vote. A change of name or address requires a new registration and a new signature from the applicant.
If you have moved since last registering to vote, it is important to update your voter registration information so that you are voting for the candidates who will represent you.

4. Why should I pre-register?

Voting will be faster and easier if you are registered to vote when you arrive at the polls on Election Day. You can register on Election Day, however you will need to bring proofs of residency with you.

5. How do I register on Election Day?

To register on Election Day, you must have one of the following forms of identification showing your current address:
• Minnesota drivers license, learner's permit, or Minnesota identification card with your current address.
• A previous registration in the same precinct at another address.
• A "Notice of Ineffective/Late Registration" -- If you have attempted to register in advance but for some reason your registration was rejected, you would receive this official notice from Watonwan County.
• Someone who is registered in your same precinct and who knows you reside in the precinct may accompany you to the polls and vouch for you.
• A combination of a picture ID and a current utility bill (gas, electric, cable TV, water, solid waste/sewer, internet provider services, or rent statement) can be used. The utility bill must show the voter's name and current address in the precinct and must not be over 30 days old. Telephone, television or internet services bill acceptable regardless of how they are delivered (ie. Cell, VOIP, cable, satellite, etc.) The photo ID establishes the voter's identity:
- MN Drivers License or MN ID (not at current address)
- Passport
- Student ID
- Military ID
- Tribal ID's issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior. If ID contains voter's name, current address, signature and picture, it can be used alone. If ID contains the name, signature and picture, then it can be used along with a current utility bill.
Students
The above proof of residency also apply for college students in addition to:
- A current valid student identification card from a post-secondary educational institution in Minnesota if a list of students from that institution has been prepared and certified to the County Treasurer-Auditor in the manner provided in rules of the Secretary of State.
- A current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address in the precinct together with a picture identification card.

6. Can I take time off of work to vote?

Every employee who is eligible to vote in an election has the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting during the morning of the day of that election, without penalty or deduction from salary or wages because of the absence.

7. What if I cannot get to the polls on Election Day?

You may cast an absentee ballot if you are unable to get to your polling site on Election Day. Absentee ballots are available 30 days before an election. Requesting a ballot is a two step process. First, you must complete an absentee ballot application. Then, you will receive a blank ballot to vote and return. If you are eligible to vote absentee, you may do so either by mail or in person. Absentee ballots and voting is conducted at the Watonwan County Auditors Office, located in the Watonwan County Courthouse at 710 2nd Avenue South, St. James, (507) 375-1210. Absentee voting can be done until 5:00 on the day prior to the General Election.

Watonwan County Election Information

8. Can I get assistance if I am disabled?

All polling places are required to be accessible to persons with disabilities and election judges are available for assistance. Voters who are physically unable to enter a polling place may, with the assistance of two election judges of different political parties, register and vote without leaving their vehicle. Absentee balloting is also available prior to Election Day.

9. What if I am not registered but still want to cast an absentee ballot?

If you are not a registered voter, you can still register and vote by absentee ballot. A voter registration application will be included with your absentee ballot materials. The completed application is returned with your voted ballot. The voter registration application cannot be returned separately.

10. How can I serve as an election judge?

Election judges are an integral part of the election process. The hours for working on Election Day are 6 a.m. until votes are counted after the polls close at 8 p.m. Election judges may serve as many hours as needed in the precinct to which they are assigned. All judges must attend a training session before working at the polls on Election Day. If you are interested in serving as an election judge, please contact City Hall at (507) 375-3241 or visit the election judge information on this website.