Minnesota

suegeo

(2,840 posts) Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:06 PM Sep 2020

Do mail in ballots require a witness signature?

I think they do, in Minnesota. It's my first time using a mail-in ballot

So I can take my mail-in ballot to city hall (where early absentee voting takes place), have the person witness that my ballot is blank, fill out my ballot, have witness sign, I sign, and hand it over to the election people?

I want to do it this way because Putin's puppet is effing up the mail.

13 replies

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Do mail in ballots require a witness signature? (Original Post) suegeo Sep 2020 OP

Check you own state requirements. Some do. onecaliberal Sep 2020 #1

That requirement has been waived for this election. WhiskeyGrinder Sep 2020 #2

You are correct, thanks. suegeo Sep 2020 #8

In Washington state, only if the voter cannot sign for themself RainCaster Sep 2020 #3

https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/2092/absentee-voting-administration-guide.pdf efhmc Sep 2020 #4

It helped. I followed some of the links and came up with linked document suegeo Sep 2020 #7

When do you get your ballot? efhmc Sep 2020 #10

Others in the Minnesota forum state the ballots are mailed out Sept. 18 suegeo Sep 2020 #11

Minnesota you can self certify, no witness required Cicada Sep 2020 #5

It depends on the state. redstatebluegirl Sep 2020 #6

Not for this election unless you are *registering* for the first time. The Velveteen Ocelot Sep 2020 #9

Not if you're registered. mzmolly Sep 2020 #12

MN has waved the requirement due to COVID BainsBane Sep 2020 #13

onecaliberal

(36,594 posts)

1. Check you own state requirements. Some do.

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:06 PM

Sep 2020

WhiskeyGrinder

(24,187 posts)

2. That requirement has been waived for this election.

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:11 PM

Sep 2020

suegeo

(2,840 posts)

8. You are correct, thanks.

Reply to WhiskeyGrinder (Reply #2)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:27 PM

Sep 2020

Someone below posted a link. I clicked around an eventually landed on the following.

https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/4258/2020-general-registered-signature-envelope-witness-section-suggestion.pdf]

RainCaster

(11,733 posts)

3. In Washington state, only if the voter cannot sign for themself

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:13 PM

Sep 2020

For example, hands in casts or paralyzed.

efhmc

(15,065 posts)

4. https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/2092/absentee-voting-administration-guide.pdf

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:14 PM

Sep 2020

Hope this helps.

suegeo

(2,840 posts)

7. It helped. I followed some of the links and came up with linked document

Reply to efhmc (Reply #4)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:26 PM

Sep 2020

It says the witness is not required for the 2020 Minnesota general election.

https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/4258/2020-general-registered-signature-envelope-witness-section-suggestion.pdf]

efhmc

(15,065 posts)

10. When do you get your ballot?

Reply to suegeo (Reply #7)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:33 PM

Sep 2020

Glad it helped.

suegeo

(2,840 posts)

11. Others in the Minnesota forum state the ballots are mailed out Sept. 18

Reply to efhmc (Reply #10)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:36 PM

Sep 2020

I still wonder if I can avoid mailing the ballot in (1 less piece of mail to be handled by USPS) by taking it into the absentee ballot voting location and handing it to the poll workers there.

Cicada

(4,533 posts)

5. Minnesota you can self certify, no witness required

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:19 PM

Sep 2020

Note that the instructions say you must print certain information , not cursive, print. The ballot will have instructions. Read them twice.

redstatebluegirl

(12,511 posts)

6. It depends on the state.

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:22 PM

Sep 2020

The Velveteen Ocelot

(121,860 posts)

9. Not for this election unless you are *registering* for the first time.

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 03:31 PM

Sep 2020

https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-by-mail/

mzmolly

(51,740 posts)

12. Not if you're registered.

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Tue Sep 8, 2020, 06:46 PM

Sep 2020

For your ballot to count, remember this important information:

Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully.

Your signature envelope might have a box for a witness to complete and sign. Due to COVID19, there is no witness requirement for registered voters for the November 3, 2020 State General Election. Non-registered voters will still need a witness, to indicate their proof of residence.

Mail the ballot and forms back right away after you finish. Your returned ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day (November 3, 2020) and received by your county within the next seven calendar days (November 10). You may also drop off your ballot envelope in person--see details below.

https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-by-mail/

The ballot has a place for a witness to sign, but there should be a blue flyer clarifying that it's not necessary. Another reason that I fear valid ballots being rejected.

BainsBane

(55,055 posts)

13. MN has waved the requirement due to COVID

Reply to suegeo (Original post)

Sun Sep 13, 2020, 11:20 PM

Sep 2020

but they normally do require a witness. When you get your ballot, read the instructions. They tell you what to do. They are actually very particular about how the ballot needs to be signed, placed in envelopes, etc.

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