In Minnesota, citizens are allowed to vote absentee for the following reasons:

• Absence from your precinct
• Illness or disability
• Serving as an election judge in another precinct
• Religious discipline or religious holiday or observance
• Eligible emergency declared by the Governor or quarantine declared by Federal or State government.  

Absentee Voters may:

• Vote in person during the 46 days prior to a regularly scheduled election, OR
• Complete the entire process by mail (Absentee ballots are available 46 days prior to Election Day.)

Citizens who are not pre-registered can apply for an absentee ballot and will receive voter registration materials included with their ballot.

Vote In-Person – Locations

• Maple Grove Government Center, 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway
• Hennepin County Elections, PSL 012 Government Center, 300 S. 6th Street, Minneapolis

Absentee Voting Dates and Hours
Primary:
Friday, June 25, 2010 – Monday, August 9, 2010
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

General:
Friday, September 17, 2010 – Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  

Additional Absentee Voting Hours  

Saturday prior to Election Day from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Primary:  Saturday, August 7, 2010

General:  Saturday, October 30, 2010  

Monday prior to Election Day until 5 p.m.

Absentee Voting by Mail

An official absentee ballot application may be obtained from the City or County elections office.  You can also print the application.  

Return the completed application to the City of Maple Grove Elections, PO Box 1180, Maple Grove, MN  55311-6180 or fax to 763-494-6421 or email to elections@ci.maple-grove.mn.us

On Election Day the deadlines and requirements for return of an absentee ballot are:

• Absentee ballots delivered by United States Postal Service (USPS) must be received by the city or county election office by the last regular USPS mail delivery on Election Day.
• Absentee ballots hand-delivered by an agent of the voter (a commercial delivery service or any individual other than the voter) must be received by the city or county election office by 3 p.m. on Election Day. 
• On Election Day, voters may go to the polls to vote, but CANNOT deliver their own absentee ballot to any election officials.
• Absentee ballots CANNOT be delivered directly to a polling place.

Other Absentee Ballot Services

Military and/or Overseas Voters
Absentee voting procedures are available for members of the military service (including spouses and dependents), and voters residing outside the United States. Voters are advised to allow plenty of time for this process. Contact the Hennepin County Elections Office (612-348-5151) for further information on this process or click here to learn more about absentee voting for military personnel and overseas citizens.

Permanent Absentee Ballot Status
This status is reserved for those voters who will permanently not be able to go to their polling due to physical reasons.  The voter applies to be on a list of voters who are automatically sent an application prior to each election cycle. A voter must return the completed application to receive a ballot. Call Hennepin County Elections Office at 612-348-5151 for additional information.

Ongoing Absentee Ballot Status
Voters are allowed to apply for ongoing status if their absence from the precinct is not a one time occurrence.  This requires that the elections office send an absentee application to the voter prior to each election cycle.  A voter must return the completed application to receive a ballot. Call Hennepin County Elections Office at 612-348-5151 for additional information.

Health-care and Hospital Facilities
Special absentee balloting procedures are available to voters in hospital or health-care facilities. Call Maple Grove Elections for additional information.

Delivery of Absentee Ballots by Others
The following voters may authorize an agent to pick up and return an absentee ballot (only during the seven days prior to an election) for them:

• Patients in hospitals, residential treatment centers, and nursing homes
• Residents of group homes
• Residents of battered women's shelters
• Residents of assisted living facilities
• Voters who are disabled
• Voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons
• If you are currently living in a residential facility but not sure if it meets the qualifications listed above, please ask the administrator of your facility.

In order to have an agent deliver your ballot, you must complete the Request for Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballot Form and the Absentee Ballot Application. You must have a preexisting relationship with the agent. The agent will use the completed forms to pick up a ballot, bring the ballot to you, and return your voted ballot to the county auditor or city clerk. Each agent is only allowed to deliver and return ballots for a maximum of three voters. This activity may only occur the seven days preceding an election. Ballots can be picked up until 2:00 p.m. on Election Day, and voted ballots must be returned by 3:00 p.m. on Election Day.