Direct balloting for Olmsted County and Rochester voters begins today, October 27
The direct balloting period for the November 3 General Election begins today, October 27, 2020, and will continue through November 2, 2020, the last day of early absentee voting. Direct balloting allows in-person voters to insert their ballots directly into a ballot tabulator at the absentee voting location. Voters also have the option to place their absentee ballot into an envelope to be processed and tabulated later during the direct balloting period.
New pop-up voting location
Olmsted County and the City of Rochester have opened a pop-up voting location at the Olmsted County Government Center (conference rooms 2A and 2B) located at 151 4th St. SE in Rochester. Early absentee voting is also still available at the new Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Drive SE in Rochester. Any voter in Olmsted County is welcome to vote at any of these locations. Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-81, a face covering must be worn in indoor public spaces.
Direct balloting early absentee voting will be available at the locations listed above on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, October 27: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 28: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, October 29: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, October 30: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday, October 31: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Monday, November 2: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., the last day of early absentee voting
As a reminder, the General Election is being held on November 3, 2020. Early absentee voting began on September 18, 2020.
Sample ballot
Sample ballots are an excellent resource for preparing to vote, whether early or on Election Day. Voters can download their sample ballot via the Secretary of State's Office website. A list of all candidates appearing on the ballot can be found, as well as a full example of the ballots that will be in a voter's assigned precinct based on their home address.
Tips for voting safely during COVID-19
Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, it is very important that voters adhere to health and safety recommendations provided by public health officials. To minimize transmission of the virus, keep these important tips in mind.
- Absentee voting by mail is still an option: If you wish to avoid crowds on Election Day and requested an absentee ballot by mail, you may still complete the ballot and return it using the return envelope provided. Please ensure your ballot is postmarked by November 3. This will ensure your vote is counted.
- Drop ballots off at the ballot box: If you wish to avoid crowds on Election Day and requested an absentee ballot by mail, you may complete the ballot and drop it off at the ballot box through 3 p.m. on November 3 at 2122 Campus Drive SE.
- Consider voting via an agent: If you would like someone (an “agent”) to pick up your ballot and turn it in for you (voting via agent delivery), please contact the Olmsted County Elections Office at 507-328-7650 for more information. You will have a form to fill out to send with your agent which gives them permission to pick up your ballot. The agent must deliver the ballot by 2 p.m. on November 3 for it to be counted.
- Consider voting in person during the direct balloting period: If you wish to avoid crowds but want to vote in person, consider voting during the direct balloting period of October 27 through November 2 (at the Olmsted County Government Center or at 2122 Campus Drive SE). When voting in person, please wear a mask. Face coverings are required in all polling locations unless a voter is medically exempt. Please ensure you also adhere to hand hygiene and physical distancing guidelines (maintaining six feet of space between you and others). In person voters are encouraged to consider voting at off-peak times, typically the mid-morning or early afternoon, on Election Day.
- Vote during off-peak times on Election Day: If you wish to avoid crowds but want to vote in person on Election Day on November 3, consider voting at off-peak times, typically the mid-morning or early afternoon. When voting in person, please wear a mask. Face coverings are required in all polling locations unless a voter is medically exempt. Please ensure you also adhere to hand hygiene and physical distancing guidelines (maintaining six feet of space between you and others).
If you wish to vote but you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine, return your ballot by mail now if you had an absentee ballot mailed to you. Otherwise, it’s recommended that you consider voting via agent delivery.
Getting results
Since 2010, all absentee ballots are processed and counted centrally at Olmsted County election offices. Election results at the polling place will be the vote totals for in-person voters who went to the polls on Election Day.
The vote totals of the in-person polling place voters and the vote totals of the absentee voters will be merged into one unofficial vote total for the precinct before being posted to election websites. To access results, visit the Secretary of State’s website: www.mnvotes.org. That site will be updated regularly until all results have come in. There will also be a link from the county and city’s websites to the results available through the Secretary of State: www.rochestermn.gov/vote or www.co.olmsted.mn.us/vote.
Note: For the November 3 General Election, the State of Minnesota is allowing mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day to be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 10 (seven days after the November 3 General Election). Therefore, it is important to be aware that any results released on November 3 are preliminary and not certified results. Election results are never final until canvassing is completed.
More information
For the latest election updates and further details about voting in Olmsted County and the City of Rochester, Minnesota, including links to online tools, visit the following sites:
- Olmsted County: www.co.olmsted.mn.us/vote
- City of Rochester: www.rochestermn.gov/vote
- Minnesota Secretary of State: www.mnvotes.org