A Voter's Guide to Election Day 2013 in Edina

Election day is almost upon us—Tuesday, Nov. 5, is the big day—and Edina Patch wants to make sure you're not only equipped with information, but also the logistics of voting. Every vote matters. We want to make sure you get your red sticker.

Edina School Board

The Edina School Board has four open seats this year. Nine people—seven newcomers and two current board members—are vying for spots on the board. All school board seats are at-large, meaning the entire school district will be able to vote for each seat.

You can watch a video of a League of Women Voters candidate forum in which the aspiring school board members discussed the achievement gap, technology, funding and more. 

Eight of the nine candidates responded to an Edina Patch questionnaire. (Leonel Dorvil could not be reached.)

Where to Vote

Edina has 20 precincts in total. All precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. To find the precinct in which you will vote, check the secretary of state's website, which has a very easy-to-use polling place finder or look at the city of Edina's precinct map. Be mindful that during school district elections, citizens may vote at a different polling location than for federal, state and city elections

Here is a quick rundown of the polling places in Edina:

More Voting Information

The state of Minnesota has a Voters Bill of Rights and has a wide range of allowances for people to get out and vote.

• Employers are required by law to allow employees (you) to be absent from work for the purpose of voting. You cannot be docked wages, personal leave, vacation time or otherwise penalized in any way for taking the time needed to cast a ballot. So get out there and vote.
• Long lines? Getting late? If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8 p.m., you have the right to vote, even if your ballot is cast after the polls close.
• Nowhere to leave the kids? No worries: You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into the voting booth with you.
• Need help to vote? You have the right to request special assistance when voting, and if you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.

Other Details

The Minnesota Secretary of State's website has a number of other useful election day tidbits for those with questions about:

• Getting rides to your polling place
• Polling place and ballot accessibility
• Voting challenges
• Protecting election integrity
• Information in other languages
• Frequently asked questions
• Voting for people under guardianship
• Voting for students
• Voting when you are in the hospital
• Voting when your home is in foreclosure
• Voting when you are homeless
• Voting when you fear for your safety
• Voting challenges
• Protecting election integrity

Register to Vote on Election Day

If you are not registered to vote where you currently live, you may do so at your local polling location on Election Day as long as you can provide proof of residence. 

To register at your polling place on Election Day, you must bring one of the following with your current name and address to verify your residence in the precinct:

• A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card or receipt for any of these.
• A valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address.
• A notice of late registration sent to you by your county auditor or city clerk.
• A voter registered in the same precinct as you who can confirm your address with a signed oath.
• An employee of the residential facility where you live who can confirm your address with a signed oath.
• Both 1) a photo ID from the list below, and 2) a current bill from the list below with your current name and address in the precinct.
  • Bills can include any utility bill due within 30 days of election day.
  • Rent statement dated within 30 days of election day that itemizes utilities.

Sample Ballot

Check out your sample ballot here. Remember, if you need to, you can bring a sample ballot with you inside the voting booth.