Feeling Scared to Vote?

As a Minnesota Voter, you have protections. And options!

📩 Vote by Mail.

🗳️ Vote Early.

👥 Bring Someone to Assist You to the Polls.

You Have Protections as a Voter

You have the right to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and a resident of Minnesota for 20 days.

  • You can vote by mail if you are concerned about voting in person. Apply early and track your ballot! Check the Secretary of State’s office for receipt of your vote*.
  • You have the right to vote free from intimidation. No one, including an election official, poll watcher, or other voter, has the right to intimidate or threaten you at the polls.
  • You can bring someone to assist you to the polls and even into the voting booth, as long as they are not your employer or union representative.
  • You can vote before the election with an absentee ballot at your local elections office.
  • You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling place. You will need proof of residence or–if you do not have the required documentation–have someone who is already a voter in the precinct come with you to the polling place and vouch that you live in the district.

Do not let fear or confusion stop you from casting your ballot on the issues you care about:

  • access to healthcare.
  • rising energy costs for fossil fuels.
  • protecting the air, water, environment, and each other.
postmark

*As of 2026, postmarks signify the date of mail processing, not the drop-off date. If voting by mail, be sure to mail your ballot several days before the deadline or request a hand-stamped date at a retail post office.

What to Do If You Encounter Issues

If you experience any trouble, have questions, or see something that concerns you at the polls, you have resources available for immediate help.
Experiencing trouble voting or have a question about the process?

How You Can Take Action

For immediate assistance, call the Secretary of State’s Voter Protection Hotline or the non-partisan Election Protection Coalition.

Contact Information

Secretary of State Office
Call: 1-877-600-VOTE (8683)
Text: 651-217-3862

Election Protection Coalition Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE

How You Can Take Action

Report it immediately to the Sect. of State’s Office or the Election Protection Hotline. Election officials will get ahold of the county. Call COPAL’s Helpline if you see ICE activity or have been directly impacted and need support.

Contact Information

Secretary of State Office
Call: 1-877-600-VOTE (8683)
Text: 651-217-3862

Election Protection Coalition Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE

COPAL ICE Hotline: 612-255-3112

How You Can Take Action

Use the official Secretary of State websites.

Contact Information

myballotmn.sos.mn.gov
or pollfinder.sos.mn.gov

Want to Do More to Ensure Fair Elections?

You can:

  • Become an Election Judge: As an election judge you can see how it all works behind the scenes and help your neighbors feel safe to vote.
  • Train to be a Legal Observer: Plug into trainings hosted by other institutions, such as the Immigrant Defense Network or Unidos (MONARCA), to know what to do in case of federal intimidation.
  • Share this “Feeling Scared to Vote?” info with neighbors & community members.

Questions About Mail-in Voting?​

The current administration says they’re going to ban mail-in voting? They can’t in Minnesota. Don’t let confusion stop you from protecting the prairie or voting your voice.

State law governs elections, which means federal officials cannot unilaterally ban mail-in voting in Minnesota.

What can you do to ensure your vote is counted?

  • Vote early or make your voting plan early.
  • Check the Secretary of State’s office for receipt of your vote after you’ve mailed it in.
Vote by Mail Ballot

Questions? Please contact the MN Secretary of State Office.

Call: 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) // Text: 651-217-3862 // Visit: sos.mn.gov/elections-voting

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as legal advice.

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!