Voting

Where do I go to vote?

Options:

• September 20 – November 4, 2024: Early voting at Northfield City Hall (see hours here) or request an absentee ballot from the Secretary of State and vote by mail.
• November 5, 2024: Election Day voting at the polls from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Where to go on election day:
    • Most Carleton students vote at the UCC church, 300 Union Street, across from the Weitz Center.
    • Exceptions: If you live in Jewett, Rice, Page, Wade, Douglas and Parish you vote at St. John’s Lutheran Church (300 3rd Street). This is approximately a 15 minute walk, 0.7 miles away. Sign up for a shuttle ride here.
    • Northfield Option: Northfield option voters may vote at other locations. Check your polling location here.

• To vote by mail: In Minnesota, anyone can vote by mail (a.k.a. vote absentee). You do not need an excuse or special reason. To vote by mail, request an absentee ballot online. Do this 3 – 5 days after you register to vote online, once this website shows your registration has been processed. You can request an absentee ballot through November 4, 2024, however, you should mail in your ballot well before Election Day. If your ballot arrives after election day it will be invalid. Make sure to send your ballot early enough so it will count! Once you have returned your ballot, you can track your absentee ballot to confirm it’s been accepted.
• To vote early in person: Go to Northfield City Hall. It’s easiest to do this after you’ve registered to vote. If you’re not registered, you need to have someone already registered at Carleton (Ward 1, Precinct 1) vouch for you by bringing them with you to City Hall. 

What do I bring?

Bring your OneCard. The deadline to pre-register to vote in Minnesota has passed. However, if you aren’t yet registered, and you live on campus the only form of ID you need is your One Card. This is because Carleton has supplied the on-campus housing rosters to election officials, so they already have proof of your address at the polls. 

• Suppressed identity: Individuals who have suppressed their identity on the Carleton directory should plan to register in advance of the deadline or consult the Dean’s Office, if registering on Election Day, to ensure that election officials will be able to verify their residence using a OneCard.
• Northfield Option: If you live in Northfield Option Housing, proof of residency may consist of a copy of a lease or a bill inscribed with your mailing address. Students may also be asked to write down their social security number. If you do not have this documentation, you may also have another registered voter from your same precinct vouch for you. They must accompany you to the polls.
• For more information, see the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Most states (37 plus D.C.) allow early/absentee/voting by mail. Most of these states (27 plus D.C.) allow for “no excuse” mail voting, meaning you do not need to provide a reason why you’re voting by mail. (Nudge: Minnesota is one!). Check the  U.S. Vote Foundation’s non-partisan website to verify your state’s important registration deadlines, options for voting in person or by mail, and to find links to your state election office. TurboVote will work with all of the early voting states and it will give you useful information on where and when to vote.

Turbo Vote

To vote while studying abroad, you will need to fill out a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) ballot application, receive a ballot by mail, fax or email, and return the ballot by mail.

1. You can begin filling out your FPCA ballot application at Student Vote From Abroad regardless of which state you plan to vote in. When applying for your FPCA ballot you must do so at wherever you were last registered to vote or wherever you last lived. This will usually be either your permanent home address or your dorm address from the previous year/term. If registering from a Carleton dorm address, you should mark “0” for your house number and select your past dorm or house name from the street address drop down menu. Be sure to send in your ballot early enough so it will count! If this is your first time registering to vote, we recommend registering at a permanent home address (not Carleton).
2. Request your ballot via email. This means you will be emailed a copy of your ballot allowing for faster delivery with flexibility for location.
3. Complete, sign, and submit the FPCA according to instructions.
4. Once you receive your ballot via email (around late September), print, complete, and return it according to the accompanying instructions. You will likely need to purchase international postage to return your ballot. Please reach out to Carleton’s OCS office or your faculty trip leader if doing so poses a financial burden.

Sample Ballot

Local Election Guide

State and National Election Guide

This list applies if you are living on campus and voting in Northfield, Ward 1, Precinct 1

• Mayor, City of Northfield – Non-partisan
• City Council Member, At-Large – Non-partisan
• School Board – Non-partisan (Choose 4)
• County Commissioner District 2 – Non-partisan (unopposed)
• Soil and Water Supervisor District 1, 2 and 4
• MN House Rep – Partisan
• US House Rep – Partisan
• US Senate – Partisan
• Presidency – Partisan
• Judges
  • Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
  • Associate Justice, Supreme Court 5 & 6
  • Judge, Court of Appeals, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 14
  • Judge, Third District Court, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12,14, 19, 20, 24
• Ballot Questions
  • Proposal to approve a 0.375% sales tax to pay for the Rice County Public Safety Center
    • Language: “Shall Rice County be authorized to impose a three-eighths of one percent (0.375%) sales and use tax for a period of up to thirty (30) years, commencing on April 1, 2025, for the purpose of financing the Public Safety Center at a principal cost not to exceed $48,000,000, plus associated bonding costs and interest? A YES vote means that the majority of the costs would be financed through the sales and use tax which would remain in effect for 30 years or until the bonds are retired, whichever comes first. A NO vote means that the majority of the costs would continue to be financed through property taxes for 30 years or until the bonds are retired, whichever comes first.”
  • Referendum on Northfield High School Construction Project
    • Question 1: “Shall the board of Independent School District No. 659 (Northfield Public Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $95,380,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, replacing a portion of the high school building with new construction, renovations, improvements, and upgrades to the high school building, facilities, site, and systems, and purchasing equipment and furnishings? BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE”
    • Question 2: “If School District Question 1 above is approved, shall the board of Independent School District No. 659 (Northfield Public Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $18,725,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction of an expanded gymnasium at the high school? BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE”
    • Question 3: “If School District Question 1 and School District Question 2 above are approved, shall the board of Independent School District No. 659 (Northfield Public Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,975,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction and installation of a geothermal heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system at the high school? BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE”
    • More information from Northfield Public Schools on “Reimagine Northfield High School.”
  • State Constitutional Amendment proposal to renew the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund
    • Language: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?”
    • Note: If you do not vote on this question, it will be counted as a “no” vote. This is only true in this case, because it is a constitutional amendment.

Vote411 is the national League of Women Voters nonpartisan candidate information website. Enter your address to see which races will be on your ballot.

Vote 411’s My Ballot

Excerpt: “While it has been considered permissible to sponsor a forum to educate voters, no preference for or against a particular candidate may be shown. Candidates may speak on campus so long as all legally qualified candidates are provided access on an equal basis. Non-partisan voter registration drives have also been deemed acceptable.” There are also additional guidelines from the American Council on Education in their “Student Voting and College Political Campaign-Related Activities in 2024” guide. 

Political Activity Policy

Excerpt: “Students, groups, and campus organizations may invite and hear any person of their own choosing, subject only to the requirements for the use of College facilities.”

Freedom of Expression Policy

Excerpt: “As an institution dedicated to learning and teaching, Carleton College is committed to the principle of free expression and exploration of ideas in an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect. The College therefore also embraces the related principle that all members of its community shall have access to its educational facilities, activities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or age. These principles guide the College’s relationships with individuals and should guide the interactions of all members of the community.”

Statement on Discrimination and Academic Freedom

Excerpt” “College facilities and services may be used by organizations, groups, and individuals within the College for regular business meetings, for social programs, and for programs open to the public. The Student Activities office works in conjunction with the CSA Senate and all student groups and organizations, in planning programs, helping to raise funds, and supervising contractual relationships with off-campus organizations . The Campus Services office is responsible for scheduling the use of College buildings.”

Student Organizations and Groups

Excerpt: “The student press is to be free of censorship. The editors and managers shall not be subject to disciplinary sanctions because of student, faculty, administration, alumni, or community disapproval of editorial policy or content. Similar freedom is assured oral statements of views on a College-controlled and student-operated radio or television station. However, any radio or television station will be subject to all applicable laws and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission. Compliance with FCC laws and regulations will be enforced by the Dean of Students.” Also: “Any student, group, or organization may distribute written material on campus without prior approval, providing such distribution does not disrupt the operations of the College.”

Student Publications

• Vote411 is the national League of Women Voters nonpartisan candidate information website. To see information about candidates on the ballot for students living on campus and voting in Minnesota, enter this address: 300 College St, Northfield, MN 55057.
• KYMN radio 2024 voters guide, the local Northfield radio station, has a local candidate and ballot question guide. 
• Local candidate forum videos – YouTube video recordings of fora hosted by the League of Women Voters. Includes: Mayor, city council, school board, and county commissioner candidates.

• You should vote at the address you consider home. That can be your Carleton address or your permanent address in another community.
• It’s okay if this changes over time, eg: you vote at your permanent address as a first-year, but as a senior you decide Carleton is home and you vote at your Northfield address.
• Here are Minnesota-specific rules for college students from the MN Secretary of State’s office. 
• You can vote in Northfield if you will have lived at your current address (meaning current residence hall room or house) in the State of Minnesota for more than 20 days by election day.

Yes. You can register to vote at the polls in Minnesota. You can just show them your OneCard, and you’ll be able to vote. 

Yes. It’s fine to have a drivers license from another state but vote in Minnesota. You should vote wherever you consider to be home. You can register in Minnesota with a social security number, instead of a drivers license number. 

If registering at a Carleton residence all or house, mark “0” for your house number and select your dorm or house name from the street address drop-down menu.

Almost certainly yes. If you are living in a different dorm, you MUST re-register. You can do this online or in person on the election day. It saves you time and reduces lines at the polls if you pre-register!

To vote you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old on Election Day
• A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
• No longer incarcerated for a felony sentence

You are still eligible to vote in the Minnesota generals as long as you have lived in Minnesota for more than 20 days, which is true for everyone. If you are registered in your home state make sure to register in Minnesota before or when you go to the polls.

State Political Parties

• Major Parties
  • Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party
  • Minnesota Republican Party
• Minor Parties
  • Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party
  • Legal Marijuana Now Party
  • Green Party of Minnesota
  • Independence Party of Minnesota
  • Libertarian Party of Minnesota

Rice Country Political Parties

• Rice County Democratic Farmer Labor Party
• Rice County Republican Party

Carleton College 2023 Voter Engagement Plan

How the CCCE Supports Political Engagement and Activism on Campus

The CCCE supports political engagement and activism in the following ways:

CCCE Peace, Conflict, and Democracy Listserv

The CCCE has a bi-weekly email that compiles upcoming opportunities related to political events, as well as broader Peace & Conflict programming. If you want to be added, email Max Serota, CCCE Peace and Conflict Fellow at serotam@carleton.edu. If you ever want to publicize an upcoming opportunity on this email list, email a brief blurb to Max.

Funding and Transportation

The CCCE has supported student organization and initiatives in the past by helping to fund small expenditures for an upcoming meeting or event (This would be for expenses such as food or room set-ups. The CCCE does not fund speakers or large expenses as this is more within CSA’s realm). We also have offered transportation for activist events via busses, campus fleet vehicles, and other options.

To request funding or transportation, please email ccce@carleton.edu with the following information:

• A description of the event including date and location
• Why you believe there is a need for this event on campus, what organization you represent
• How many people you plan on attending
• Exactly how much money you are requesting and exactly what you plan on spending it on (if it is a funding request)
• Whether this event is open to all of campus.

We will review this request and should be able to get back to you in a timely manner. We currently ask that all requests be sent at least a week in advance.

General Guidance and Support

The CCCE is always happy to assist students and student organizations with a variety of general guidance and institutional knowledge. This includes providing help figuring out how to get chartered or request funding from CSA (student government), assistance making a room reservation or putting a request through Print Services, and how to publicize an event or plan a project.

Where to go with questions

• If you have Carleton-specific questions about voting, contact Sinda Nichols, director of the Center for Community and Civic Engagement, at snichols2@carleton.edu.
• If you have trouble voting at the polls on Election Day, you can call 866-OUR-VOTE, a non-partisan voter helpline, or visit 8666ourvote.org for chat assistance.
• If you have questions or concerns about voting regulations in Minnesota, call Minnesota Secretary of State 1-877-600-VOTE or visit mnvotes.org
• If you have questions about early voting at Northfield City Hall, contact Northfield City Clerk’s Office at 507-645-3001 or this website.

Is there a topic or question that is missing from this list? Submit your question below, and we’ll try to answer it.

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