Minnesota voters may choose to vote early by using an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at the polling place on Election Day. Absentee ballots will be available starting Sept. 20 at the Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at the County Government Center located at 411 Broadway Ave.S. in Albert Lea. Minnesotans no longer need an excuse to vote absentee — a reform also known as no-excuses absentee voting.

You can request, receive and cast an absentee ballot in one visit to the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office for the state general election:

• Monday to Friday: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20 through Nov. 4
• Saturday, Oct. 26: from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 29 until 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 2, from9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To vote absentee by mail, complete and submit an absentee ballot application online at mnvotes.org or download an application from the website and mail, fax or e-mail it to the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office. Election officials will mail the absentee ballot materials to you soon after receiving your application. Be sure to follow the directions included with your ballot materials.

You can request an absentee ballot if you are not currently registered to vote — a voter registration form will be provided with your ballot.

Because the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office is a polling place location for absentee voting, people should not campaigning within 100 feet of or in the Government Center Building according to MN Statutes 211B.11 subd. 1. Campaigning is to (1) ask, solicit, or in any manner try to induce or persuade a voter to vote for or refrain from voting for a candidate or ballot question; or (2) wear, exhibit, or distribute any item that displays: (i) the name, likeness, logo, or slogan of a candidate who appears on the ballot; (ii) the number, title, subject, slogan, or logo of a ballot question that appears on the ballot; or (iii) the name, logo, or slogan of a political party represented by a candidate on the ballot. For purposes of this paragraph, “item” includes pamphlets, advertisements, flyers, signs, banners, stickers, buttons, badges, pencils, pens, shirts, hats or any similar item.

For more information or questions contact the Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at 507-377-5121 or check out www.co.freeborn.mn.us and look for Auditor-Treasurer under the Department’s tab.