Have you made your plan to vote in the MN presidential primary by March 3? (Page 32)

The upcoming Minnesota presidential primary is a chance for MNA nurses to have their voices heard to elect the next president and to bring nurse priorities that protect patients and the profession into the voting booth. In 2016, legislation passed to make Minnesota a presidential primary state for the first time since 1992. Only the two major parties of the state, DFL and Republican, will participate in this primary this year.

While MNA does not endorse candidates on the national level, NNU’s elected national leadership, representing 150,000 registered nurses in all 50 states, has a comprehensive process that is intended to emphasize extensive involvement of its leadership and NNU members.

Precinct Caucuses
Precinct caucuses are on Feb. 25, one week before the Presidential Primary. The major parties conduct precinct caucuses where voters can show support for their preferred candidate leading up to the state party conventions and raise issues that are important to them. Learn more about precinct caucuses and how to participate.

Tuesday, March 3 – Minnesota Presidential Primary
Voting in the upcoming primary is similar to any typical election. Voters will likely have the same polling location, but there are a few key differences compared to a general election vote and previous primaries.

How does primary voting work?
1. Each party will have a separate ballot, instead of the usual one ballot with separate columns for each party, and each voter will need to declare their support for one when they check-in to vote.

2. Note that whichever party a voter chooses, that information will not be public, however, each major political party on the ballot has access to it.

3. Candidates who dropped out will still be on the ballot if the party submitted them before early voting started on January 17.

4. Only presidential candidates from major parties will appear on the ballot. All other offices (Legislature, local races) with a primary will be on the August ballot.

How to Register to Vote
Take advantage of Minnesota’s voter rights law that includes same-day voter registration and early voting. Registering to vote before Election Day will make the voting experience move a little faster. Not sure if you are registered to vote? Find out on the Secretary of State’s website here.

Same Day Voter Registration
Voters can also register on Election Day at their polling place by bringing one proof of residence:

• ID with current name and address (Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID, or tribal ID);
• Photo ID and a document with your current name and address
  • Approved photo IDs (can be expired) include driver’s license, state ID, or learners permit issued by any state, US passport, US Military or Veteran ID, Tribal ID, Minnesota university/college/technical college ID, or a Minnesota high school ID.
  • Approved documents include a bill, account, or start of service statement that is due or dated within 30 days of Election Day for: phone, TV, internet, solid waste, sewer, electric, gas, water, banking, credit card, rent, mortgage, residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day, or current student fee statement.
• Bring a neighbor or friend. Registered voters can vouch for another resident from the same precinct to confirm their address. This allows new neighbors to bring someone to sign an oath confirming their address, which allows them to register to vote. The new voter, however, cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for them.
• Note that once registered, voters do not need to show an ID or proof of citizenship or residency to vote. Anyone who asks for a voter’s ID once they’re registered is trying to intimidate voters from casting a ballot and should be reported to the election officials at the polling site.

Click here to find out other ways to ensure to vote on Election Day if you live in a residential facility, a college student living on campus, if you moved within the precinct, or if you changed your last name.

How to Early Vote
Early voting begins 46 days before Election Day; this year, voting started Jan. 17, 2020. You can vote early in various ways:
1. Vote early by mail
2. Vote early in-person
3. Vote from Military or Abroad

National Election Endorsements
NNU has endorsed Bernie Sanders and here are the top 10 reasons why:

Want to help Bernie Sanders win on March 3? Contact Colie Colburn, MNA political organizer, at (651) 252- 5378 or colie.colburn@mnnurses.org