Election officials say 'the earlier, the better' when it comes to submitting mail-in ballots
In an election season unlike any other in America, local election officials say they are hard at work ensuring the voting process is safe, accessible and fair for all involved. In a forum organized by Med City Beat and hosted by Mayo High School grad Sandhya Kumar, Olmsted County election specialist Kathryn Smith and Rochester City Clerk Anissa Hollingshead gave their insight on how to vote safely and effectively in the August and November elections. Curbside and mail-in voting options are available to the public, in addition to voting in-person at the polling place.
County officials have specifically been preparing for a large influx in mail-in ballots since the pandemic began — in some estimates, over 40,000 votes may be cast through the mail in Olmsted County.
To make sure your vote is counted, Smith says two things must happen: the envelope must be postmarked by Election Day, and get to the county’s office no later than two days after the election.
“The earlier, the better,” said Smith. “We have to have time to process all those ballots, so we really do encourage people to get their ballots in the mail as soon as possible.”
Thousands of county and city residents will still vote in-person, however, meaning election judges are still an essential part of the voting process. The City of Rochester has been actively searching for new people to fill the slots of longtime, elderly judges who will take 2020 off to avoid the risk of contracting Covid-19. Hollingshead said the city is in ‘good shape’ with election judges for the August 11 primaries, but still needs judges for the general election on November 3.
To become an election judge, one must be eligible to be a voter in Minnesota — with the exception of the student election judge program, allowing students as young as 16 years old to play a part in the democratic process, before they can cast a vote of their own. Hollingshead says the program has been a great experience for all involved.
“We’ve found that it’s a tremendous experience for our students, other election judges, and our voters,” said Hollingshead. “I especially want to encourage any students that may be interested to sign up for November… there’s still time.”
Hollingshead also noted a new trial program coming to four precincts voting at Mayo High School this year, where election judges fluent in non-English languages — Spanish and Somali in particular — will be stationed to help voters with limited English proficiency.
“We’re using this as a trial run,” said Hollingshead. “Hopefully, we find this to be successful, and we can find things to learn so we’re able to expand this program to other precincts in future elections.”
Isaac Jahns is a Rochester native and a 2019 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He reports on politics, business and music for Med City Beat.
Cover photo via Canva
