Have confidence in the security of your vote

The furor over voting machines and ballot counting during the last presidential election may have you wondering about the security of your vote. The League of Women Voters Minneapolis takes a look at key features of Minnesota voting laws that help increase citizens’ trust and participation while ensuring our election integrity.

Accessibility

Minnesota historically has made it easy for voters to register. In 1974 the state became the second in the nation to allow for same day registration (Star Tribune, October 14, 2022). You can register to vote online with your mobile phone or computer at https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/VoterRegistration/index. 

The League of Women Voters sponsors registration events where you can also register using a paper application. Paper applications can be printed from https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-paper/ or call 311 in Minneapolis to request one by mail. 

More recently, Minnesota has passed legislation to make registration even easier with Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) at the time you apply for or renew your driver license or when you interact with other state agencies like MNCare, or Human Services. 

Voter security is part of voter registration regardless of the method used. To register online, you need to provide your address along with your driver’s license number, state ID card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. This information is sent to election officials to create a new voter record or to update your existing registration. All data is verified using state and federal databases. If you do not have these identification numbers, you can still register to vote using the paper form—election officials will still verify your eligibility to vote. 

If you need assistance to vote, you can bring someone with you to help or get assistance from election judges. You can access a machine that can mark a ballot for you if you are unable to do this on your own. And if you cannot easily leave your vehicle, you can have a ballot brought out to you. Curbside voting is monitored by two election judges from different parties. They bring you the ballot, return it to the polling place and put in the ballot counter. If you make a mistake, no worries. You have a right to a replacement ballot; just return the spoiled ballot to the election judge and this judge will give you a new ballot. For more information on different ways to vote go to https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/ and click on “Other ways to vote” for the full list of voting options.

Absentee ballots

Our large voter turnout is a result of how easy it is for citizens to vote. You have the option to vote by mail using an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are only available to Minnesota voters who complete and return an application to their local election official. Your eligibility is confirmed using state and federal databases to verify information provided before ballots are mailed to you. Only one absentee ballot is ever mailed. Additionally, as of June 1, 2024, you can apply for a permanent absentee ballot, eliminating the need to apply each election cycle.

Election Day is not just a Tuesday in November but extends over 46 days. This is true for city, primary and general elections. For the 2024 general election you can vote early at your local election office from Friday, Sept. 20 to Monday, Nov. 4. You do this by completing your absentee ballot at your local election office instead of mailing it. After completing your ballot, you put it into a secure box. The process to count absentee ballots begins 18 days before the election.

Whether you submit your absentee ballot by mail or in person, you will need to once again provide your name, address, driver’s license number, state ID card number or last 4 digits of your Social Security number. This information is used to make sure your registration to vote is valid. 

No ballot is counted until it has been verified by the members of the Absentee Ballot Board. Each ballot is given a unique barcode and is entered into the state’s voter registration system. This allows you to track the status of your absentee ballot at https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abstatus/index. The barcode allows officials to identify that you voted by absentee ballot and ensures that you will not be able to vote in another way. 

Security 

What happens to your ballot after you vote? Minnesota uses ballot counting machines to tabulate the votes.  Absentee ballots are kept in secured storage until 18 days before the election. Then they’re opened and reviewed by a team of two board members from different parties. These teams process these ballots together, using the same type of counting machines used to count in-person ballots on Election Day. 

What happens to your paper ballot after it is counted? Ballots are placed in ballot transfer cases and sealed with two certification seals. All of this is done by two election judges (one must be either the head election judge or the assistant head election judge) who sign forms throughout the process. The sealed ballot boxes are transferred to your county elections office and stored for 22 months.

Accuracy

Paper ballots are the cornerstone of ballot security in Minnesota. They provide a record of everyone’s vote and facilitate any post-election audits to verify accuracy of ballot counting machines if needed.  Research comparing the accuracy between hand counting votes and counting machines shows that using machines to count votes is more accurate and faster than hand counting (https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/how-ballot-tabulators-improve-elections/). 

Ballot counting machines are tested before and after elections to certify their accuracy. The machines used in Minnesota to count your vote have been tested for accuracy and certified by test labs approved by the U. S. Election Assistance Commission. The machines also go through additional testing by the office of the Secretary of State before the election and again by local officials; the public is invited to watch the testing process.

After the election, counties randomly select precincts where election results are audited. Hand counts of paper ballots are compared to machine counts. These audits are also open to the public. 

 Voting in Minnesota is secure due to a comprehensive system of safeguards and protocols designed to protect the integrity of the electoral process. From stringent registration requirements and accessible absentee balloting to transparent ballot counting procedures and post-election audits, Minnesota implements multiple layers of protection at every stage of the voting process. These measures ensure only eligible voters cast their ballots and every vote is accurately recorded and counted. In addition, the state’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity ensures that all citizens, regardless of their circumstances or abilities, can participate in the democratic process with confidence. Overall, Minnesota’s robust security measures and dedication to fairness make voting trusted and secure.