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Melrose holds municipal elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. State and Federal elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Primary elections, which are held for State and Federal elections, are held the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September. The City's five elected officials include a Mayor (four-year term) and four Council Members (four-year terms are staggered so only two members are elected every other year).
In 2006, the Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 12, and the General Election will be held Tuesday, November 7.
What offices will be on the ballot in 2006?
- 1 U.S. Senator
- 8 U.S. Representatives
- 1 Governor and Lietuenant Governor
- 1 Secretary of State
- 1 Attorney General
- 1 State Auditor
- 67 State Senators
- 134 State Representatives
- State Judicial Officers
When are polling places open for voting?
For State elections, most polling places open at 7:00 a.m; a few polling places in smaller townships locatd outside the seven-county metropolitan area may open as late as 10:00 a.m. All polling places close at 8:00 p.m.
Can I get time off from work to vote?
Yes, Minnesota law allows you to take time off from work without loss of salary or wages to vote during the morning of State elections.
Who is eligible to vote?
You may vote if you are:
- at least 18 years of age
- a U.S. citizen
- a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days before the election
- not a convicted felon without your civil rights
- not legally incompetent
Where do I vote?
Most people vote in the neighborhood where they live. You can look up your polling place location at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ or call your County Auditor or City Clerk.
How do I register to vote?
Fill out a voter registration card and return it in person or by mail to your County Auditor or the Secretary of State.
Voter registration forms are availalbe at county courthouses, city halls and other public buildings throughout the State, in many telephone books, in your State tax booklet (in even-numbered years) or by downloading a copy from the website
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=204
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
You can register at your polling place on Election Day. You will need one of the following to verify your residence:
- Minnesota driver's license, learner's permit, identification card, or receipt for one with your current address
- Tribal ID**
- If the Minnesota license, Tribal ID or Minnsota State ID has a former address, you may bring a recent utilty bill* to use with your license.
- "Notice of Late Registration" postcard
- U.S. passport with utility bill*
- U.S military photo ID card with utility bill*
- Prior registration listed on roster at former address in precinct
- Oath of a registered voter in precinct ("vouching")
- If you are a student, you can use...
- Student ID, registration, or fee statement with your current address
- Student photo ID with utility bill*
- Student ID if you are on a student housing list on file at the polling place
- Someone who is registered in the precinct where you live who will vouch for your residence
*Note: The utility bill must have your name, current address, and be due within 30 days of the election. Utility bills may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, or cable TV.
** Court Order
- For purposes of Minn. Stat. Sec. 201.061, subd.3, tribal identifcation cards that contain the name, address, signature and picture of the tribal member will have the same status as a Minnesota driver's license. Therefore, such tribal identification cards are sufficient proof of identity and residency, and may be used without any other documentation to register to vote on Election Day in the precinct in which the address on the tribal indentification card is located, without regard to whether the tribal members live on or off their tribal reservations.
- For purposes of Minn. Rule Part 8100.5100, photographic tribal indentification cards that do not contain any address or a current address can be used to meet the standards of subpart 2(A). Therefore, a tribal member can use such tribal identification card together with a current utility bill to register to vote on Election Day in the precinct in which the address on the utility bill is located.
Can I get assistance in the polling place?
Yes, If you need help with voting, you can ask the election judges at the polling place for assistance in reading or marking your ballot. You may also bring someone with you to help.
All polling places should be fully accessible with clearly marked accessible doors and parking spaces. If you cannot easily leave your car, you can ask for the ballot to be brought to you in your car.
If you are unable to go to the polling place due to an illness or disabilty, you can vote by absentee ballot.
If you have limited vision, you can ask for voter registration and absentee ballot instructions in an alternative format.
And if you are hearing impaired, every county and most cities will have a TDD device for questions.
What is absentee voting?
You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote in person on Election Day because you are:
When absentee voting, you can vote either in person before Election Day at a location designated by your County Auditor or by mail. You must submit your written application to your County Auditor or City Clerk. Call your County Auditor or City Clerk for details.
To vote in person, apply and/or vote during normal office hours or from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the Saturday, or until 5:00 p.m. the Monday before the election.
To vote by mail, submit the absentee ballot application form to your County Auditor. The ballot will then be mailed directly to you.
If you are in the military or outside the U.S., vote based on where you last lived in Minnesota. You or your parent, spouse, brother, sister, or adult child can apply for you. Be sure to apply early!!
If you have questions regarding Melrose elections, please call 320-256-4278. City Elections
Requirements for running for City Office
To register for public office in the City of Melrose, the following conditions apply:
- You live in the City of Melrose and are a qualified voter therein
- You are 21 years old or older upon assuming office
- You have been a resident of the City for at 30 days by Eelection Day
- You have not filed for any other office at this election
In 2006, the City ballot will show the terms of Mayor and two Council Members that will expire December 31, 2006. The incumbents currently holding these positions are:
- Eric Seanger, Mayor;
- Tom Budde, Council Member;
- Mary Linnemann, Council Member
Candidate filings open on August 29 and close on September 12, 2006. The filing fee is $2.00. The last day to withdraw candidacy for an office is September 14 at 5:00 p.m. You may file for candidacy at the City Center during normal business hour of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The City of Melrose has established job descriptions for the Mayor and regular Council Member positions. All Council Members may be required to attend a newly elected officials training conference on ethics, liability, public budgeting, and the role of elected officials, presented by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) upon being sworn into office. All new Council Members may also need to successfully complete a City orientation before being sworn into office.
Places to Vote
The City is divided into one precinct and one school district:
- We are in the 7th Congressional District
- You must vote in your own precinct. If you are not sure which precinct you live in, call the City Clerk at 320-256-4278. Or visit the Secretary of State's web site at elections.sos.state.mn.us/precinct_finder. Voters may cast ballots between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
- Precinct 1
Melrose City Center
225 East First Street North
- The City Clerk is responsible for running all City elections and election functions in the City of Melrose. Patti Haase, City Clerk phaase@cityofmelrose.com 320-256-4278.
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