Nearly 100,000 voters in Ramsey County — and untold legions across Minnesota — have already asked for ballots in this fall’s presidential election.
That’s good, election officials say, but please be patient. The ballots haven’t even been printed yet.
You’ll have to wait about a month.
“I had a voter call me up the other day and say, ‘Hey, I applied in May. When can I expect my ballot?’ ” county Elections Director David Triplett said Friday. “Obviously, there’s a tremendous amount of interest, and with so many people at home, I think a lot of people want to get started right away.”
That’s smart, Triplett and state officials say. Concerns over exposure to the coronavirus — combined with the high-profile presidential contest, is expected to lead to record numbers of people voting by any means other than in person on Election Day, which is Nov. 3.
Getting an early start is smart, especially since the U.S. Postal Service has recommended that mailed ballots be sent at least a week before Election Day to ensure ballots arrive on time.
In Minnesota this year, ballots that are postmarked no later than Election Day can still be counted as long as they arrive by Nov. 10. Anyone can vote absentee in Minnesota; you don’t need a reason.
Officials recommend voters come with a plan.
For those who choose the early-bird route, that plan will involve some patience.
EARLY VOTING DATES
Here are some dates to help:
Today: You can start the process right now by registering to vote (if you’re not already registered) or requesting an absentee ballot.
Aug. 28: Minnesota Secretary of State certifies the names that will appear on the ballots. This information is sent to local election officials, who must then lay out the ballots, proofread them, and get them printed.
Sept. 18: This is the first day to vote. It’s also the first day that local actual ballots will be dropped in the mail and sent to everyone who has requested one.
STAFFING UP
Can Ramsey County handle all those ballot applications?
“We can,” Triplett said.
The county has beefed up its staff to unprecedented levels. In 2018, 18 workers did the work. As of Friday, at least 72 were on board.
The work is done in person, he said, to ensure ballot security. His division has spread out physically, with workers at 90 Plato Blvd. in St. Paul taking over conference rooms and other county work spaces in its offices vacated by employees working remotely.
To accommodate all the mailed ballots and observe social distancing protocols, he said the elections division will eventually move its entire operations to the county’s Metro Square building in downtown St. Paul, where ballot security can be ensured and there’s more space.
KANYE ON BALLOT?
A spokeswoman for Secretary of State Steve Simon said workers will likely continue to scrutinize paperwork and signatures filed Tuesday by rapper Kanye West, who is seeking to have his name on the ballot as an independent. The process, which will result in West’s name either appearing on the ballot or being rejected, will likely continue through early next week. West listed Michelle Tidball as his vice presidential running mate.