Elections

2020 ELECTIONS

The Carver County Elections department has updated 2020 Election contact information!

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COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS:   The City of Cologne will be taking extra safety precautions in the precinct due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strongly recommends that voters follow the advice of  Secretary of State Simon to consider Absentee/Early Voting. Request Absentee Ballot  Absentee Voting Information See below for the full press release from the Secretary of State website.

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Sec. Simon Urges Minnesotans to Request Absentee Ballots for 2020 Elections
May 13, 2020

SAINT PAUL — Today, Secretary of State Steve Simon is calling on all eligible Minnesota voters to apply for their absentee ballots now using the online absentee ballot request tool. The tool, which opened today, allows registered voters to request that their ballot to be sent to them by mail for the August 11 statewide primary and the November 3 general election.

“We need to treat the upcoming statewide elections as a public health issue,” said Secretary Simon. “To slow the spread of COVID-19 we need to reduce large gatherings, including at polling places. I’m challenging all eligible Minnesota voters to cast their vote from the safety of their home. In the face of this pandemic, it is the right thing to do to protect Minnesotans who are most at risk – and the people who care for them. Fortunately, it’s very easy to do.”

Who can get an absentee ballot?
All eligible Minnesota voters may request an absentee ballot for the primary and general elections at mnvotes.org. The online application will ask for an e-mail address and an identification number, either a Minnesota-issued driver’s license, Minnesota ID card, or last 4 digits of Social Security Number.

You can check your voter registration status online. You can also register or update your voter registration online.

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Get Ready to Vote!

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CITY OF COLOGNE IS ACTIVELY RECRUITING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE 2020 AUGUST PRIMARY AND NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION

Be a Guardian of Democracy… Be an Election Judge!
Election judges serve as guardians of Democracy. They are vital to efficient and honest elections. Election judges proudly conduct elections with accuracy, integrity and dignity. You can join this team of dependable and caring individuals who help ensure this basic right of U.S. citizenship: to vote in fair and free elections.

Who is eligible?
Any person who resides in and is eligible to vote in the county where they serve is eligible to be an election judge. You must be able to read, write and speak English and attend a training class. Judges must state a political party preference.

Eligibility Requirements
Basic Qualifications: To serve as an election judge, you must be eligible to vote in Minnesota and be able to read, write and speak English.
Restrictions:

  • Candidates for office cannot be an election judge in a precinct where they appear on the ballot. This includes those who are actively campaigning as a write-in candidate.
  • A person who is a relative of a candidate for office cannot serve in a precinct where that candidate is on the ballot. Relatives include a spouse, parent, child, stepchild, brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister.
  • A person who temporarily or permanently lives in the same house as a candidate cannot serve in a precinct where that candidate is on the ballot.
  • Election judges who are relatives to each other cannot serve together in the same precinct during the same shift. Relatives include a spouse, parent, child, stepchild, brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister. Relatives can work separate, non-overlapping shifts in the same precinct.
  • A challenger appointed to contest voter eligibility (see page 37) cannot serve as an election judge.
  • You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days and be a citizen of the United States. You should be prepared to provide proof of identity.

Can I serve as election judge if I am unaffiliated with a political party?
Yes; however, election judges working without party affiliation CANNOT perform any duties that require party balance. These duties are clarified in the Election Guide given to all judges at training.

How are the judges selected?
The Cologne City Council appoints election judges for precincts in their jurisdiction.

  • Persons interested in becoming an election judge should contact their local political party chair to be included on the party’s list of potential election judges. Preference is given to individuals who have registered with the parties.
  • You may also apply directly to the City of Cologne by completing and returning the 2020 Election Judge Application.  You may return the application in the City drop box (one is located at City Hall 1211 Village Parkway and the other is at Cologne Fire & Rescue Station at 110 Louis St W); or you may mail it to City of Cologne PO Box 120 Cologne, MN 55322; or email to either Michelle Morrison – michellem@colognemn.com or Lori Kasel – lorik@colognemn.com.

Are election judges paid?
Yes. The pay varies according to precinct policy. Pay will be at least minimum wage. The City of Cologne also reimburses for mileage and time for training.

Will my employer allow time off from work?
State law allows for time off from work without loss of wages to serve as an election judge. You must provide your employer with 20 days prior written notice.

What are some duties of election judges?

  • To open and close the polls (Polls are generally open from 7 am to 8 pm. Judges work from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or later. The City of Cologne has 2 shifts for judges.)
  • To be responsible for all election materials
  • To ensure only qualified voters are permitted to vote and that each voter casts a single ballot
  • To distribute and ensure that all votes are cast in secret
  • To help voters requiring assistance
  • To operate voting equipment
  • To maintain order in the voting place throughout the day
  • To register new voters at the polling site
  • To process absentee ballots
  • To record and certify the precinct election results

What kind of training will be provided?
Election judges attend a two-hour training class.


CANDIDATE INFORMATION


RESOURCES


CAMPAIGN SIGNS

City of Cologne Code of Ordinances Section 153.077 (A) (10)
Campaign signs posted by bona fide candidates for political office or by a person or group promoting a political issue for a candidate may be placed in any district subject to the requirements of the district. Campaign signs may be posted for a period not to exceed 60 days and shall be removed within seven days following the date of the election.

City of Cologne Code of Ordinances Section 153.077 (A) (7)
Signs which interfere with the ability of vehicle operators or pedestrians to see traffic signals, or which impede the vision of traffic by vehicle operators or pedestrians are prohibited.


POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

Candidate Eligibility:
For a city office, any person may file to be a candidate who is:

  • Eligible to vote
  • Will be 21 years of age upon assuming office
  • Will have been a resident of the city for at least 30 days before the general election
  • Pay a $2 filing fee
  • Provide an Affidavit of Candidacy

Campaign Financial Reports:
Initial report is due within 14 days after receiving contributions or making disbursements of more than $750

  • Subsequent reports are due 10 days before and 30 days after the election and each year by January 31 until a final report is filed.
  • A final report is due when all debts are settled and all assets are disposed of in excess of $100.
  • A certificate of filing shall be submitted to the city clerk no later than seven days after the general or special election (Minnesota Statutes 211A.05, Subdivision 1).

Other Candidate Information:


ELECTION JUDGE

Election judges are needed to work at the polling locations to supervise and help with elections. If you are 18 years or older and an eligible voter, you may qualify to serve as an election judge. Election judge duties include:

  • Opening and closing the polls
  • Being responsible for all election materials
  • Ensuring that only qualified voters are permitted to vote and that each voter is permitted to vote only once
  • Distributing ballots
  • Tallying and certifying the election results

If you are interested in this important civic opportunity or would like additional information, please contact the City of Cologne at (952) 466-2064.


ELECTION RESULTS

For current and past election results, visit the Secretary of State Website.


VOTING LOCATIONS

Hours:
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Poll Location:
City polls are located at Cologne Community Center – Gymnasium:

1211 Village Parkway
PO Box 120
Cologne, MN 55322


GET REGISTERED

To get registered to vote, visit Carver County Taxpayer Services.