October Unit Discussion Guide

Voting 2020 | More Than Just a Visit to Your Polling Place

The Elections and Voting Program Committee members hope that unit members are/were able to attend the October 6 Civic Buzz on Zoom featuring this month’s program topic: Voting 2020 | More Than Just a Visit to Your Polling Place.You can find it on the LWVMpls website. Here are some discussion questions, along with links, which will be helpful to guide your unit in further understanding of our unique 2020 voting cycle.

  1. What are the alternatives to in-person voting? Which is the safest health-wise? Is one more reliable than another?
  2. Do you agree with state and city election offices’ recommendations to vote from home? Why or why not?
  3. Review commonly asked questions. What if: I didn’t get my ballot? I spoil it or change my mind? My signature has changed over the years? I don’t have a witness? I don’t mail my ballot until Election Day?
  4. How can you be sure your mailed-in ballot will be counted?
  5. What happens after you drop your ballot in a USPS box?
  6. Do you trust the United States Post Office to get your ballot delivered in time?
  7. Will there be a delay in the posting of election results? Will the results be accepted?
  8. Is thereevidence of voter suppression or fraud in Minnesota?
  9. What can we do under COVID-19 conditions to help get out the vote?

Suggested Resources:

The Secretary of State’s website:

https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/

A step-by-step guide to absentee voting, including links to key sites on the Secretary of State’s website, from MPR: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/07/17/mail-in-voting

Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services: https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/

A summary of a Mike Mulcahy’s interview with Secretary Simon on Sept. 18 with a link to the audio: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2020/09/18/voting-questions-for-secretary-of-state

Absentee ballot request:

https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx

Tracking your absentee ballot: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx

United States Postal Service: https://about.usps.com/

Southwest Journal article on Postal Service:

https://www.southwestjournal.com/news/2020/09/watching-the-mail-every-piece-every-day-mantra-challenged-by-pandemic-fire-federal-directives/

October 6 Civic Buzz, featuring representatives from the Secretary of State, Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services, and LWV Voter Services: https://lwvmpls.org/category/civic-buzz/