2020 ELECTIONS - IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VOTERS

THE FOUR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES FOR 2020 ARE AS FOLLOWS: (in alphabetical order)
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party
Legal Marijuana Now Party
Republican Party of Minnesota

For more information on each political party, click on the tab titled "Political Party Info."


** MARCH 3, 2020 - PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PRIMARY **

Minnesota Statute 207A.11 Presidential Nomination Primary Established states, "(a) A Presidential Nomination Primary must be held each year in which a president or vice president of the United States are to be nominated and elected."

Minnesota Statute 207A.12 Conducting Presidential Nomination Primary states, "(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Presidential Nomination Primary must be conducted, and the results canvassed and returned, in the manner provided by law for the State Primary.  (b) An individual seeking to vote at the Presidential Nomination Primary must be registered to vote pursuant to Section 201.0564, Subd. 1 (voters may pre-register before the 20th day preceding any election or may register on Election Day).  The voter must request the ballot of the party for whose candidate the individual wishes to vote.  The Election Judge must record in the polling place roster the name of the political party whose ballot the voter requested.  The voter instruction posters, pamphlets, and other informational materials prepared for a Presidential Nomination Primary by the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 204B.27 must include information about the requirements of this paragraph, including a notice that the voter's choice of a political party's ballot will be recorded for public information.  (c) Immediately after the State canvassing board declares the results of the Presidential Nomination Primary, the Secretary of State must notify the chair of each party of the results.  (d) The results of the Presidential Nomination Primary must bind the election of delegates in each party." 

For the March 3, 2020 Presidential Nomination Primary, whether voting in person or by Absentee Ballot, there will be four (4) separate ballots - one for each major party listed above.  Voters will need to request from the Election Judge or Local Election Official, or by marking on the Absentee Ballot Application, the ballot of the party for whose candidate the individual voter wishes to vote (MN Statute 207A.12 Subd. b).

Voters should be informed that their party choice for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Nomination Primary will be recorded as public information.


** AUGUST 11, 2020 - PRIMARY ELECTION **

** NOVEMBER 3, 2020 - GENERAL ELECTION **

ABSENTEE VOTING

All voters are allowed to vote early with an absentee ballot. Voters no longer need a valid excuse to vote by absentee ballot. All Absentee Voting is done through Dakota County. Get more information on absentee voting here!

VOTING DAY REGISTRATION

Option 1: Valid ID with Current Name and Address. Accepted IDs include: Valid Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card—or a receipt for any of these, Tribal ID card with your name, address, photo and signature.

Option 2: Photo ID with old address plus a bill due or dated within 30 days with Current Name and Address.

Option 3: A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. A registered voter can vouch for up to eight others.

Option 4: College Student ID—If a Student Housing List Was Provided. College students can use a student photo ID card if their college provided a student housing list to election officials.

Option 5: Valid Registration in the Same Precinct. If you were previously registered in the precinct, but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the elections official your previous name or address — no additional documentation is needed.

Option 6: Notice of Late Registration. If you pre-registered too close to election day, you may have received a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. This notice can be used to register.

Option 7: Staff Person of a Residential Facility If you live in a residential facility, a facility staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your name and address.

VOTING ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible to vote if you meet all three of the following criteria:

• • U.S. Citizen
• • At least 18 years old on election day
• • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days or more

There are special rules for those who received a sentence for a felony, have been declared legally incompetent by a Court and individuals under guardianship. Please contact the Secretary of State’s office or go to their website www.sos.state.mn.us for more details.

Election Judges

Would you like to learn more about the election process and the upcoming elections?  If so, consider becoming an Election Judge for the City of West St. Paul!

Election Judges are an important part of the election process and may serve as:

Head Judge - In charge of the polling place.
Greeter Judge - Directs traffic flow and maintains order in the polling place.  Provides timely information regarding a voter's correct poll location and Election Day registration documents.
Roster/Registration Judge - Signs in voters who registered in advance of Election Day.  Also registers voters who did not register in advance.  Refers voters to correct poll location if current location is incorrect.
Demonstration Judge - Explains to voters how to mark their ballot.
Ballot Judge - Provides official ballots for voters.  Explains spoiled ballot procedures.  Monitors and maintains supply of official ballots and secrecy covers.
Ballot Counter Judge - Oversees the ballot box area and gives out "I Voted" stickers.
Health Care Facility Absentee Ballot Judge - Delivers ballots to voters who reside in a health care facility or hospital.
Absentee Ballot Board Judge - Serves on a special board that processes absentee ballots.
Student Election Judge Trainees - Students age 16 and 17 can be Election Judge Trainees.  To serve, students must be a U.S. Citizen in good academic standing at a Minnesota high school (or home schooled).  They must also obtain school and parental permission and serve in the county where they reside or in an adjacent county.  Like other judges, they do not have to serve the entire day and cannot work past 10:00 p.m.  Trainees are assigned the same duties as other judges, with the exception of tasks requiring party affiliation.  Trainees do not designate party affiliation.  Trainees are not counted towards the minimum number of Election Judges required to be present.  The number of trainees may not be more than one-third of the total Election Judges present.  Trainees must attend and complete the same training as other judges.

Complete the application below or contact the West St. Paul City Clerk at 651-552-4102 for more information.

​ To be a part of this great team of Election Judges, 

​Apply here

!

Training and Certification:
You must complete an Election Judge training course before you may serve as an Election Judge.  You wil attend a class at least two hours in length, and your certification is valid for two years.  Renew your certification by repeating the course every two years.  The City Clerk/Local Election Official will keep proof of your training on file.
Head Judges and Health Care Facility Judges are required to complete an additional hour of training.  Judges assigned to an Absentee Ballot Board must also receive extra training.

Election Judges are paid for training and time worked.  Consider joining the West St. Paul team of Election Judges today!

Shirley Buecksler
City Clerk
(651) 552-4102
sbuecksler@wspmn.gov

Learn About How Elections Work in Minnesota Information is available on the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office regarding how elections work in Minnesota, including nominating a candidate, counting votes, answers to ballot questions, and more. Click here to be directed to the Secretary of State's website.

MAJOR PARTIES

See Minnesota Statutes 200.2, Subd. 7 for a definition of "Major Party." Click on the party name below to open a new tab and be directed to their website.

Democratic Party

255 E. Plato Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55107
Ph: 651-293-1200

Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party

2114 E 35th St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Ph: 651-280-7922 ​

Legal Marijuana Now Party

1835 Englewood Ave
 St. Paul, MN 55104
 Ph: 651-266-3827

Republican Party of Minnesota

525 Park St. #250
St. Paul, MN 55103
Ph: 651-222-0022

MINOR PARTIES

See Minnesota Statutes 200.02 Subd. 23 for a definition of "Minor Party." Click on the party name below to open a new tab and be directed to their website.

Green Party of Minnesota

4200 Cedar Ave S, Suite 8
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Ph: 651-288-2820

Independence Party of Minnesota

P.O. Box 40495
St. Paul, MN 55104
Ph: 651-998-9156

Libertarian Party of Minnesota

1710 Douglas Dr N, Suite 225U
Golden Valley, MN 55422
Ph: 612-440-1776


Who represents me?

Campaign Financial Disclosures

Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 211A.02, Subdivision 6, campaign financial reports received by the City of West St. Paul will be available online for four years from the date posted.  Click on the report date under the candidate name to view the individual report.

CAMPAIGN FILING FORMS AND MATERIALS

2018 Campaign Manual                                                         Cybersecurity Memo, MN OSS
Address of Residence Form                                                   IRS Filing Requirements
Affidavit of Candidacy                                                             Map Order Form, Dakota County
Affidavit of Withdrawal                                                            Map Order Form, MN OSS
Auto Dialing Device Law, MN Attorney General Memo          Placement of Signs on Trunk Highway, MnDOT
Campaign Financial Report                                                    Polling Place List Request Form, MN OSS
Campaign Financial Report Certification of Filing                  Precinct Finder Request Form, MN OSS
Candidate Name Pronunciation Guide, Dakota County         Registered Voter List Request Form, MN OSS


2020 CITY OFFICES & CANDIDATES

Mayor

Ward I Councilmember

Ward II Councilmember

Ward III Councilmember

2018 CITY OFFICES & CANDIDATES

Mayor

Anthony J. Fernandez
09-05-18
10-25-18
12-06-18

Dave Napier
06-18-18
08-04-18
10-26-18
12-06-18
Certification of Filing 12-06-18
01-29-19
Certification of Filing 01-29-19

Ward I Councilmember

Richard Vitelli
Certification of Filing 12-06-18
Certification of Filing 01-29-19

Ward II Councilmember

John Justen
09-05-18
10-17-18
10-26-18
12-06-18
Certification of Filing

Jim Probst
08-03-18
10-26-18
12-05-18 and Certification of Filing

Ward III Councilmember

Wendy Berry
08-03-18
10-23-18
12-06-18
Certification of Filing

Lisa Eng-Sarne
07-09-18
08-03-18
08-04-18
10-26-18

David Meisinger
08-02-18
10-23-18
12-05-18

John Ramsay
08-02-18
08-22-18

2016 CITY OFFICES & CANDIDATES

Mayor

Jenny Halverson
Campaign Financial Report Certification of Filing
6/27/16_1
6/27/16_2
7/18/16
7/29/16
9/14/16
10/5/16
10/31/16
11/21/16
12-29-16(a)
12-29-16(b)

Morgan Kavanaugh
7/13/16
7/29/16
1-09-17

David Meisinger
7/28/16_1
7/28/16_2
10/24/16
10/28/16
12/5/16

Ward I Councilmember

Pat Armon
8/1/16
10/28/16
01-09-17

Bob Pace
Campaign Financial Report Certification of Filing
8/11/16
10/19/16
10-23-16
01-06-17

Cass Wendlandt
11-15-16

Ward II Councilmember

John Justen
Campaign Financial Report Certification of Filing
8/1/16
08-21-16
9/20/16
10/14/16
11/3/16
12-29-16

Anthony J. Fernandez
Campaign Financial Report Certification of Filing
08-04-16
10/14/16
11/17/16

Ward III Councilmember

Dave Napier
Campaign Financial Report Certification of Filing

John Ramsay
Campaign Financial Report Certification of Filing 10-28-16
12-31-16

2020 Important Election Information for Voters

Resolution No. 19-021 Designating Polling Places for Municipal Elections (for 2019)

West St. Paul Precinct Map and Locations