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1. Where do I vote on Election Day?

Belle Plaine City residents vote in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 218 Meridian Street North. The poll entrance is the northwestern most door signed as "Council Chambers". 

If you are unsure of where to vote, you may confirm your Election Day voting location before Election Day by visiting the MN Secretary of State's Online Pollfinder.

2. How do I vote if I can't make it on Election Day?

In Minnesota, voters are allowed to cast an absentee ballot for any reason in the 46 days prior to Election Day by mail or in person. Voters can also vote early in the seven days before Election Day. Click to Learn more about absentee and early voting options.

Military and overseas voters can vote by absentee ballot by using the process outlined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) administered by the MN Secretary of State's Office.

3. What if I feel sick on Election Day?

If you are feeling sick on Election Day, are a patient in a hospital or other medical facility (including a nursing home), are a resident of a shelter or assisted living facility, or are disabled, you may enlist someone you know to help you vote. 

Each agent is allowed to deliver and return ballots for a maximum of three voters.

You can cast an absentee vote by the agent if you are a:

• Patient in a hospital, residential treatment center, or nursing home.
• A resident of a group home.
• A resident of a battered women's shelter.
• A resident of an assisted living facility.
• Disabled voter.
• Voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons.

How to Vote by Agent

On Election Day, you can also vote from your car at our polling location. When you arrive, have someone in your car let the election judges know you would like to exercise this option. 

4. What offices and candidates are on my ballot?

Find out what offices and candidates will be on your ballot by visiting the MN Secretary of State’s website on Who’s On My Ballot. Information is available approximately 45 days prior to Election Day.

Visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filings page to look for contact information for specific candidates and offices.

5. It's Election Day and I've had an emergency. How do I vote?

Some voters may be able to authorize an individual (agent) to pick up and return an absentee ballot for them. This service is available only within the seven days preceding an election. Find out more about how to vote by agent. 

6. May I pick up a ballot for my spouse/child/neighbor?

No. Not unless they qualify for Agent Delivery. 

Some voters may be able to authorize an individual (agent) to pick up and return an absentee ballot for them. This service is available only within the seven days preceding an election. Visit How to Vote by Agent to find out more.

7. Am I registered to vote?

Wondering if you're registered to vote? Find out on the Voter Information Portal.

If you don't find your voter registration or if your information is incorrect, update your voter registration on the Minnesota Register to Vote website.

8. How do I know my absentee ballot will be counted?

In the 46 days prior to Election Day, voters may cast an absentee ballot in person or they may complete the absentee process by mail. In Minnesota, all citizens are allowed to vote using an absentee ballot for any reason and all absentee ballots that have been received by Election Day and accepted* by the Absentee Ballot Board are counted. You can also track the status of your ballot and verify it has been counted!

View the Status of Your Ballot. 

*To be accepted by the Absentee Ballot Board:

• The voter's name and address on the envelope must match the absentee ballot application.
• The voter must have signed the envelope.
• The voter must have provided the same identification numbers on the envelope and the application or the signature on the envelope must match the signature on the application.
• The voter must be registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or have included a properly complete and signed Voter Registration Application with proof of residence marked on the envelope.
• A witness must have signed the statement on the envelope and provided a Minnesota residential address, a title indicating they are eligible to administer oaths or affixed a notary stamp.
• The voter must not have already voted in the election.
• If the absentee ballot was delivered by an agent, it must be sealed and cannot appear to have been tampered with.
• It must have been received on time. (Before 3 pm on Election Day at City Hall if in person and by 8 pm on Election Day at Scott County offices if delivered by USPS or parcel service).
• Alternately, voters may choose to cast a ballot using the early voting process the seven days before Election Day. Voters who choose to use the early voting process, put their ballot directly into the ballot counter themselves like on Election Day.

9. What if I need assistance casting a ballot?

If you need help voting, you have lots of options! 

Time off to Vote

In a state or federal election, every employee has the right to be excused from work to vote on Election Day without penalty or loss of salary or wages as per Minnesota Statute 204C.04.

Bringing Someone with You

You are welcome to bring a relative, friend or neighbor with you to help you as long as that person is not your employer or your union representative. The person you bring with you can help you in all parts of the voting process, including in the voting booth; however, helpers can only physically mark ballots for up to three voters in an election. In addition, they are not allowed to make choices for you, share how you vote with others or try to influence you to vote a certain way. If you have someone help you mark your ballot, you are welcome to show your ballot privately to an election judge to check that it is correctly marked.

Voting Machines for People Who Want Assistance

All Absentee/Early Voting Centers and the polls on Election Day are equipped with ballot marking devices that can mark a ballot for you. It gives you privacy if you cannot or choose not to vote using a pen. These ballot marking devices can help you:

• View the ballot on a screen that can enlarge the font or display the ballot with a high-contrast background
• Listen to an audio version of the ballot through headphones
• Fill out your ballot using a Braille keypad, a touch screen, a keypad or a personal sip and puff port. After you make your choices, the device prints your completed ballot so you can place it on the ballot counter. Note: this device marks but does not count ballots.

Help from Election Judges

You may also ask election judges for assistance. Election officials are happy to work together to assist with:

• Using a Ballot Marking Device to read, mark, and print your ballot
• Using a Signature Guide to help you sign your name
• Using a magnifying device or chair to use in the voting booth
• Voting at the curb in your vehicle
• Reading or marking a ballot

Voting From Your Car

If you cannot easily leave your vehicle to enter a polling place, you can ask to have a ballot brought out to you. This is known as "Curbside Voting." Simply ask the election judge stationed near the poll entry for assistance. 

Voting When You Fear For Your Safety

Please visit Safe At Home: An Address Confidentiality website well in advance of the election if you are in a situation where you wish to vote but fear for your safety if your address were to be disclosed in voter records.

Voting When You Need Translation Services or Large Print

You may bring someone with you to the polls to translate. Ballot marking devices assist with large print marking.

10. Where do I find election results?

Election results can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

11. Where can I learn more about my unique circumstance?

Here are some unique situations you might fall into:

• Voters who are away at College
• Voters in the Military or Living Abroad
• Voters with a Criminal Record
• Voters under Guardianship
• Voters with an Impairment
• Voters in a Nursing Home or Hospital
• Voters Who Fear for Their Personal Safety
• Voters Residing in a Residential Facility
• Voters Who are Moving on or Close to Election Day
• Voters Temporarily Living in Minnesota
• Voters Experiencing Homelessness
• Voters Whose Home is in Foreclosure
• Voters Whose Home Was Destroyed by Fire, Flood or Other Disaster

12. Where can I find voting resources?

For more information, please contact any of the following voting resources:

• Voter Registration
• City of Belle Plaine Elections 
  • Email Elections Staff
• Minnesota Secretary of State
  • Minnesota Secretary of State website
  • Phone: 651-215-1440
• Scott County Elections