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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.

Minnesotans no longer need an excuse to vote absentee — a reform also known as no-excuses absentee voting.

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

• Weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20 through Nov. 4
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26
• Until 7 p.m. Oct. 29
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 2
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 4

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 soon after receiving the application. Voters are then advised to follow the directions included with ballot materials.

Minnesotans can request an absentee ballot if they are not currently registered to vote — a voter registration form will be provided with the ballot.

Because the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office is a polling place location for absentee voting, people should not campaign within 100 feet of it or in the Government Center Building according to MN Statutes 211B.11 subd. 1.

Campaigning is:

• To 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
• To wear, exhibit, or distribute any item that displays the name, likeness, logo, or slogan of a candidate who appears on the ballot; the number, title, subject, slogan, or logo of a ballot question that appears on the ballot; or 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.