Elections

2020 ELECTIONS - IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VOTERS

THE FOUR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES FOR 2020, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, ARE AS FOLLOWS: (See "Political Party Info" tab for more information on each party)

• Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
• Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party
• Legal Marijuana Now Party
• Republican Party of Minnesota

ABSENTEE VOTING

All Minnesota voters are allowed to vote early and do not need a valid reason to vote by Absentee Ballot.  For residents of West St. Paul, Absentee Ballots are issued by Dakota County Elections Offices.  Absentee Ballots received at County Offices will be couriered to West St. Paul City Hall for processing by the City Clerk's Office.

Absentee Ballots for the 2020 General Election will be available 46 days before the election, starting Friday, September 18th.  Anyone wishing to vote by Absentee Ballot must first complete and submit an Absentee Ballot Application.  You may choose to vote by mail or vote in person at any Dakota County Elections Office (see locations below).  City Staff pick up Absentee Ballots submitted at the Northern Service Center on a daily basis.  You may also choose to take your Absentee Ballot with you and drop it off at City Hall, which is where your Absentee Ballot will be processed and counted.  A secure drop box for Absentee Ballots is available at City Hall in the main entry between the double set of doors.  This area is under 24-hour video surveillance, and the drop box is emptied daily.  All ballots, whether voted by absentee or at the polling site, remain secured at City Hall for 22 months following each election, after which time they are destroyed.

Download an Absentee Ballot Application here or stop by any Dakota County Elections Office
to vote in person.  Absentee Ballots are not available at West St. Paul City Hall.

Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-554-6600

Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-891-7570

Administration Service Center
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
651-437-3191

Visit the Dakota County Elections Office for more information and office hours.
Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office for more information on elections and voting, get a copy of your sample ballot, search candidate filings, and more.  Or contact West St. Paul City Clerk Shirley Buecksler at 651-552-4102 or sbuecksler@wspmn.gov.

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 visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office for more information.

Election Judges

Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2020 General Election. Thanks to all that applied. To those that missed the window, we'll see you next election!

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.

​ We are no longer accepting applications for Election Judges for the 2020 Election.

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.

Precinct Caucuses

With the Presidential Nomination Primary, some may ask if there will be precinct caucuses in 2020.  Precinct caucuses and local and state nomination conventions will still take place for other party business.  Precinct caucuses are meetings run by the state political parties.  They are the first in a series of meetings where parties may endorse candidates, select delegates, and set goals and priorities (party platforms).

2020 Precinct Caucuses will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  Voting locations will be posted at www.mnvotes.org shortly before the caucus date.

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?

Running for Office

Individuals wishing to run for the position of Mayor or Councilmember during the 2020 Election must fill out and submit an Affidavit of Candidacy, along with the $20 filing fee, to the City Clerk during regular business hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm beginning Tuesday, May 19, 2020.  The deadline to file is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Click here for more information on eligibility requirements to run for office

For a list of Candidates running for office in West St. Paul, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office

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.

CAMPAIGN FILING FORMS AND MATERIALS
2020 State of Minnesota Campaign Manual 2020 Candidate Materials

2020 Financial Disclosures

2018 Financial Disclosures

​Candidate Notices:

Candidate Filing Notice for 2020

​Equipment Notices:

Notice of Public Accuracy Test

​Location Notices:

Resolution No. 19-126 Designating Polling Places for 2020 Municipal Elections
West St. Paul Precinct Map and Locations
Notice of 2020 State General Election
Notice of Election and Polling Locations for 2020 General Election

Sample Ballots: 

Ward 1 Precinct 1
Ward 1 Precinct 2
Ward 2 Precinct 1
Ward 2 Precinct 2
Ward 3 Precinct 1
Ward 3 Precinct 2