Primary Election Information

With the Tuesday, Aug. 11 state primary election soon approaching, Crow Wing County and local election officials are taking steps to ensure voter and election judge safety in all our polling places. “Election officials at the state, county and local levels have been working together to provide a safe environment for both voters and election judges,” stated Crow Wing County administrative services director Deborah Erickson. “With that in mind, voters will see some differences when they go to the polls.”

—All polling places will have hand sanitizer stations at the entrance and exit of the polling place and voters are encouraged to sanitize when they come into the polling place as well as when they are finished voting.

—In accordance with Executive Order 20-81, masks will be required to be worn in the polling place by both voters and election judges. Voters who arrive at the polling place without a mask will be offered one free of charge at the door, or offered an opportunity to do a curbside voting process if they wish.

—Voters will also note additional protective protocols in the polling places including plexiglass barriers at some of the stations and additional cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces being done throughout the day.

—As voters enter the polling place, they will be provided a pen they will use during their time in the polling place. Voters will use that pen at each of the required station to sign the roster and mark their ballot, then drop their pen in the provided box after completing their voting. The pens will then be sanitized before being used again.

—Voters are asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines while in the polling place and election judges will provide additional guidance as needed.

“We’ve kept safety in mind when developing protocols and procedures this year and voters who choose to vote at their polling place will have a safe environment to do so,” Erickson noted. “We ask voters to have patience with the process and recognize it may take a little more time to vote this year as the sanitizing procedures will need to be done in between voters.”

Voters may also want to double check their polling location before heading out to vote as some polling locations have changed for this year due to COVID-19 related concerns. To check your polling location, visit https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ to find your polling place location. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

For voters who voted by absentee ballot or who reside in a mail ballot precinct, please mail your ballot timely to allow for post office processing and delivery. Erickson recommended allowing for at least four business days for delivery. The Historic Courthouse, 326 Laurel Street, Brainerd also serves as the polling place for voters from mail ballot precincts who need to register and vote on election day. The Historic Courthouse polling hours will be open from 7 am to 8 pm as well.

Eligible voters who need to register will need to provide proof of residence in their precinct to be eligible to register and vote. More information can be found on proof of residence at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-election-day/.

For more information, visit the Elections page of the Crow Wing County website https://www.crowwing.us/110/Elections or call the Elections office at 218-824-1051.