ELECTION DAY IS TODAY!! NOVEMBER 5TH EXERCISE YOUR POWER TO VOTE! Voting is a sign of self-respect, an act of rebellion to contribute your voice to the world around you!!!
When do I vote? Today, November 5th Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Where do I vote? To find you polling place, you may: call the Secretary of State's office at 651-296-2803 or visit the Secretary of State's website at: http://enrupload.sos.state.mn.us/oss/, Type in your street address and zip code visit: http://www.myballot.net If you need a ride to the polls and live in Minneapolis call Sabathani Community Center at 612-821-2308 or the Minneapolis Urban League 612-302-3100. Also, on November 4th and 5th phone banks will be operated by the Secretary of State (toll-free 877-600-VOTE) and the League of Women Voters (toll-free 888-546-8811 or metro 763-542-1111) to answer last minute questions. How do I register to vote? If you're not registered to vote, don't worry: Any U.S. Citizen residing in Minnesota can vote without pre-registering. To register on election day, voters need to show proof of identity and residency. According to the Secretary of State's office, the following are acceptable forms of identification: 1. A current Minnesota Driver's License, learner's permit or identification card (or receipt for a new one) with your current address; or 2. One of the above with a former address and a utility bill (within 30 days); or 3. A U.S. passport or military ID card and a utility bill (within 30 days); or 4. A state-issued photo identification and student fee statement, or student registration for current semester/quarter with current address; or 5. A person registered to vote in the precinct that you live can vouch for you. ** Please Note: If you are a convicted felon and you have served your time, or have a stay you are automatically eligible to vote. If you are still under state supervision (parole, probation) you are not eligible to vote What if I work on Election Day? State law requires employers to allow employees to take time off work during the morning hours to vote in state elections. In addition, polls are open until 8 p.m. in most areas. How do I find out more about the candidates? visit: http://www.myballot.net visit: http://www.e-democracy.org visit: http://www.startribune.com -- go to the "politics" link and look for 2002 Election Guide visit: http://www.lwvmn.org, go to the "Elections 2002" link What if I have an absentee ballot? If you have an absentee ballot and you are choosing to vote for Norm Coleman for Senate, you don't have to do anything. If you have submitted your absentee ballot and you voted for Paul Wellstone for Senate, your vote will NOT count. If you'd like your vote to count, you must go to the polls on election day for a new ballot. If you have not sent in your absentee ballot yet, and would like to cast your vote for the DFL Senate candidate, you must go to the polls on TODAY and vote. If you have further questions, please visit: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/office/wellstone.html or call (toll free) 1-866-VOTE-411. What is on the ballot this election? A U.S. Senate seat and all eight MN Congressional seats, as well as all Minnesota Constitutional offices (Governor, Auditor, Secretary of State and Attorney General), all Minnesota state legislative districts, and many county races and school board races. Minnesota voters will also elect judges to the state Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and District courts. Why should I vote? Because voting is a sign of self-respect. Candidates will be elected November 5th whether you choose to vote or not. This is your chance to make sure the decision makers that are elected represent the views and issues that are important to you. ONE VOTE MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Besides the obvious result of the 2000 presidential "election" there are many cases in history where single votes made a difference. In 1920, one vote from a state legislator gave all women the right to vote after 100 years of struggle. John F. Kennedy's margin of victory over Richard Nixon in 1960 was less than one vote per precinct. In 1923, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party. Do I need to go on? Please exercise your right to vote on TODAY. What if I am turned away from the polls? Please call the NAACP at 612- 822-8205 or visits: http://www.minneapolisnaacp.org What else can I do? Forward this email to at least five people you know. Additional Questions? Call Mercy Olson Ward at the YWCA of Minneapolis at 612-215-4123 or Keesha Gaskins of the NAACP at 612-375-5978 Big thanks to Paula Fynboh with the American Cancer Society for helping put together this information. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
