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Voting during COVID-19

All eligible Bloomington voters can vote by absentee ballot, which is also known as early voting. Absentee ballots may be cast by mail or in-person at Civic Plaza. Full info is below under "General info about voting."

Voters are encouraged to vote by mail. This limits the number of people you come in contact with and helps reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you vote in-person, please wear a face covering and follow physical distancing guidelines. If you are COVID-19 positive or symptomatic, do not enter city facilities.

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2020 Election Dates

  • Presidential primary – March 3
    • Absentee voting begins Jan. 17
  • Primary – August 11
    • Absentee voting begins June 26
  • Election Day – November 3
    • Absentee voting begins Sept. 18

Full election calendar

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How to vote early at Bloomington Civic Plaza

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General info about voting

Become an Election Judge

Citizens are encouraged to serve as election judges as an opportunity to learn more about elections and to provide a great service to the community. Election judges are entitled to paid time off from their employer. The City of Bloomington pays its judges the following rates:

  • Students (ages 16 - 17) – $10 per hour
  • Regular election judges – $11.25 per hour
  • Assistant head judges – $12.50 per hour
  • Head judges – $13 per hour

To learn more, contact the Elections Office at 952-563-8729.

Political divisions and maps

Absentee ballots, regular voters - Vote by mail

Submit your completed PDF icon Absentee Ballot Application  to Hennepin County Elections either in person, by mail, email or fax:

Hennepin County Elections
Government Center
300 S. 6th Street MC012
Minneapolis  MN  55487-0012
Fax:  612-348-2151
Email: hc.vote@hennepin.us

When you'll receive your mailed ballot

  • If you apply more than 46 days before the election, your ballot will be mailed to you at least 46 days prior to the election.
  • If you apply within 46 days of the election, your ballot will be mailed to you within a day or two of your application being received. 

How to return your voted absentee ballot

  • Voted ballots must be received on or before election day in one of the following ways:

Return by mail

Mail your ballot back in the pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope that was provided with your ballot materials.

  • Ballot must be received on or before election day.
  • If you don't think your ballot will be received in time using regular mail, you may choose to pay for an express delivery service.

Return in person

  • Return your own ballot in person to Hennepin County Elections or to the Bloomington City Clerk’s Office
    • by 3 p.m. on election day
  • Someone else may return your voted ballot to Hennepin County Elections or to the Bloomington City Clerk’s Office
    • by 3 p.m. on election day
    • Persons delivering ballots may not do so for more than three voters. 

Absentee ballots, regular voters - Vote in person

Starting 46 days before an election, you may vote in person at:

Bloomington City Hall
City Clerk’s Office
1800 West Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington  MN  55431

In person voting hours are:

  • During regular business hours:  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • During additional hours before Election Day:
    • August 8, 2020, 10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.
    • August 10, 2020, until 5 p.m.

Absentee ballots - Military and overseas voters

If you are in the military or living overseas, see Hennepin County's link for military and overseas voter services.

Voting assistance

All polling sites are accessible. They can help you in several ways.

Ask the election judges for assistance:

  • To read or mark a ballot.
  • To obtain a magnifying device or a chair to use in the voting booth.
  • To vote at the curb.
  • To use an AutoMARK voter assistance terminal.

For more information, contact any of the following:

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FAQ

Is "early voting" the same as "absentee voting"?

Yes. If you wish to vote before Election Day, you may do so by casting an absentee ballot. 

What is "direct balloting"?

During the final seven days before an Election Day, absentee voters who vote in person are allowed to place their ballots through a tabulator instead of sealing them into an envelope for later processing.  This allows the voters to watch as their ballots are tabulated and to be made aware of any errors the tabulator may detect as the ballots are processed.

Am I registered to vote? 

To find out if you are registered to vote, use the Secretary of State's Voter Registration Lookup Service.

How do I register to vote?

To be eligible to vote in Minnesota, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days on Election Day.
  • Maintain residence at the address on the voter registration application.

You must re-register if you have:

  • Moved to a different address (even if only the apartment number has changed).
  • Changed your name.
  • Have not voted once within the last four years.          

Pre-registration

In Minnesota, you can preregister up until 20 days before Election Day. If the election is within 20 days, you must register at your polling place on Election Day. Once you are registered, you will receive a postcard with your voting information, and your name will appear on the list of pre-registered voters at your polling place.

  • Complete an online Voter Registration Application at the Hennepin County Elections Web site; print, sign, and mail to Hennepin County Voter Registration Office at
    • C190 Government Center
      300 South 6th St.
      Minneapolis, MN 55487-0012; or
  • Register in person at the City of Bloomington or at Hennepin County; or
  • If English is not your first language,

Election Day registration

To register at the polling place on Election Day, you must have authorized proof of residence:

  • Valid Minnesota Driver's License, Learner's Permit or receipt of either with current address located in precinct.
  • Valid Minnesota I.D. or receipt with current address located in precinct.
  • A registered voter in the precinct who can vouch for you.
  • Registration in the same precinct indicating a previous name or address.
  • Mailed notice from the Registration Office indicating late registration.
  • A tribal I.D. with name, address, signature, and picture of the individual.

Voters may register with a combination of two documents: one photo ID and one current bill (see below for specifics).

  • The Photo ID must contain voter's current name and photo. It may contain the voter's old address or lack an address. Approved photo IDs:
    • MN Driver's License
    • MN State ID
    • MN post-secondary student ID
    • Tribal ID
    • U.S. Military ID
    • U.S. Passport

  • The current bill (delivered electronically or by mail) must show voter's current name and address in the precinct. The following bills are acceptable:

    • Utility bill, due within 30 days of the Election Day (electric, garbage, gas, Internet service, sewer, solid waste, telephone—land line, cell or VOIP, TV—cable or satellite, water)
    • Rent statement dated within 30 days of the Election Day that itemizes utilities
    • Current student fee statement

How does the AutoMARK terminal assist individuals with disabilities?

The voters receive the same optical scan paper ballot whether they will vote using a pen or the AutoMARK ballot marking device. The AutoMARK is a tool - an "electronic pen" - to assist the voter in marking the ballot. The AutoMARK has special features to assist voters with disabilities that make it difficult to mark an optical scan paper ballot (i.e. blind, poor eyesight, unable to hold a pen). When the voter inserts the ballot into the AutoMARK, an electronic version of the ballot appears on the screen. The screen provides options for reverse contrast, enlargement for easier reading, or for being turned off for privacy if a voter chooses to access the ballot by using earphones and keypad. The recorded audio description of the ballot can be used in place of or in conjunction with the visual version on the screen. The voter makes selections by the touch screen, the keypad, or alternative adaptive method.

The AutoMARK ballot marking device provides voters the opportunity to review and verify their selections. Upon the voter's direction, the AutoMARK marks the ovals on the optical scan ballot. The voter then inserts the ballot into the DS200 ballot counter used by all voters in the precinct. The voting process remains the same for voters who do not need the assistance of the AutoMARK for marking a ballot. Votes are tallied by the ballot counter to produce precinct results.

For further information, contact the City Clerk's Office at 952-563-8729 or find more information about AutoMARK on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.

What hours are polling places open on Election Day? 

Polling sites are open for voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where can I download a sample ballot?

Precincts and polling sites

Where do I go to vote?

Precincts and polling sites

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Contact Information

Tennessen warning
Please take notice that any data received by the City as the result of submitting this form will be classified as government data pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Under the Data Practices Act, some or all of this data is classified as public data, including your name, address, email address, phone number, and other personal information provided by you. Public data is available to anyone requesting it and consists of all data furnished via this Web form. Please be advised that the correspondence will be added to the public record. The purpose and intended use of the information collected through this form is to obtain public input and data in support of City activities and services. You have the right to refuse to submit this form. If you choose not to submit this form, you will need to contact the City by another means if you wish to provide the information collected by the form.

Nondiscrimination and accommodation commitments
The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Bloomington services, programs, and activities. Upon request, this information can be provided in Braille, large print, audio tape and/or electronic format.