Elections Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Elections?
- State General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2020
All polling places in the City of Winona will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where to Vote
Your polling place is located near your home. To find out the location of your polling place, visit the Polling Place Finder.
Eligibility to Vote
You can vote in the City of Winona if on Election Day you:
- will be at least 18 years old
- are a citizen of the United States
- are a Minnesota resident for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day
- are a resident of Winona County and the precinct in which you wish to vote
- are not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court revokes your right to vote
- are not found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote
- have the right to vote because, if you have been convicted of a felony, your felony sentence has expired (been completed) or you have been discharged from your sentence
Register to Vote
Before you can vote, you must register. You may register before Election Day or on Election Day at your polling place. Your registration remains current until you move, change your name, or do not vote for four consecutive years. You may also- pre-register in person, on-line, or sending the voter registration application in the mail to: County Auditor/Treasurer, 202 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987. 507-457-8830
Pre-registration closes 21 days before each election. Newly Registered voters will receive a postcard notice indicating their polling place location.
Assistance or Accessibility
If you need assistance with voting, you can ask the election judges at the polling place. You can also ask a relative, friend, or neighbor to help you.
All polling places in Winona are fully accessible to elderly and disabled voters, with clearly marked accessible doors and parking spaces. Each polling place will be equipped with an accessible voting device for use by persons with disabilities. If you can’t easily leave your car, you can ask for the ballot to be brought out to you in your car. If you are confined due to illness or disability, you can vote by absentee ballot.
Election Day Registration is allowed in Minnesota
Voters registering to vote on Election Day must provide proof of residence within the precinct. Any one of the following is authorized:
- Valid Minnesota driver’s license or learner’s permit (or receipt for either) showing correct/current address in the precinct
- Valid Minnesota identification card (or receipt) showing correct/current address in precinct
- Tribal ID
- A valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address
- A Notice of Late Registration card mailed by Winona County Auditor within the two weeks to election day, showing address of voter in the precinct (If you receive this card, follow the instructions)
- College Students may use any of the following together with a picture ID: current student statement showing address in the precinct or a list of college dorm residents (obtained by the City from the school prior to the election)
- Witness/voucher—a voter registered in the same precinct who can confirm your address with a signed oath (they must come to the polling site with you.
- Photo ID with current bill- Use one picture ID from the list below along with one type of current bill from the list below. The photo ID must show your name and photo, and the bill must be current and shows your name and address in the precinct:
Photo IDs (may be expired):
- Driver’s License (Any state)
- State ID Card (Any state)
- US Passport
- US Military ID Card
- Tribal ID Card
- Minnesota university, college, or technical college ID card
Accepted documents:
- Utility bill due within 30 days of election:
- Cable TV: Charter or HBC
- Electric/Gas: Xcel Energy or Tri-County
- Phone (cell or landline): HBC, Charter, Verizon
- Solid Waste: (garbage haulers)
- Water/Sewer: City of Winona
- Banking or credit card
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Residential lease or rental agreement valid through Election Day
- Current student fee statement with address in precinct
Absentee Voting
You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote in person on Election Day. Contact Winona County Auditor/Treasurer’s office for an application. They can be reached at 507-457-8830 or www.co.winona.mn.us