Student Right to Know

• College Financial Aid information
• Graduate Financial Aid information
• Bachelor’s Completion Financial Aid information

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is obligated to comply with federal and state law regarding the delivery of distance education. 

State Authorization 

To vote in Minnesota you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old on Election Day
• A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
• Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction (more info)
• You can vote while under guardianship unless a judge specifically has revoked your right to vote.
• You cannot vote if a court has ruled that you are legally incompetent.

In Minnesota, you can register to vote on Election Day using one of the following four methods:

• You may have to show an ID with a current name and address to vote if you are registering to vote on Election Day. Acceptable forms include:
  • driver’s license,
  • Minnesota ID card,
  • learner’s permit,
  • US passport,
  • student ID from a Minnesota high school, college, or technical school,
  • US Military or veteran ID, or
  • a tribal ID card with name, address, photo, and signature
  • You will also have to provide one of the following documents, which can be shown on an electronic device:
    • Phone, internet,  TV, solid waste, sewer, electric, gas, or water bill, account or start-of-service due or dated within 30 days of the election
    • Banking or credit card bill, account or start-of-service due or dated within 30 days of the election
    • Residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day
    • Current student fee statement
•  A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your presence. This is known as ‘vouching.’ A registered voter can vouch for up to eight voters. You cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for you.
• The university will send local election officials a student housing list. If you are on the list, show your college photo ID to complete your registration.
• If you are registered in the precinct but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the election judge your previous name or address.
• If you registered to vote within 20 days of the election, you may get a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. Bring it with you and use it as your proof of residence to register.

As a university student, you have the choice to vote the local ballot at either your home residence or at your university.

Remember that you can only vote in one state.

Each state has its own policies around voting.  Know your state’s requirements before heading to the polls

Voter Registration Deadlines in Minnesota

• Online registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
• Register by mail deadline: Must be received 21 days before Election Day
• In person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day

Research shows that if you make a plan to vote, you are more likely to actually vote. So, make a pledge to vote here.

• Exercise your right and responsibility:  The right to vote is a bedrock principle in a democracy and electoral participation is an essential civic duty. While many governments around the world deny citizens the power to elect their leaders, the American system provides one the opportunity to select their political representatives — the sign of democratic legitimacy.
• Shape the political agenda
  • Are you passionate about a particular political issue? Learn about candidates’ views on the social, economic, and environmental issues that are important to you and use your vote as a call for action. For example,
    • Student loans, Pell Grants, and work-study are all federal programs. Your vote for the president and congressional representatives means you have a say in how those programs are shaped for years to come.
    • Your vote for Governor and state representatives will affect state aid to you.
• Demonstrate concern for the next generation: By voting you are not only doing your part to influence the present, you are also affecting the future.
• Honor past sacrifice: Voting is a way to honor those who have helped to secure our rights. Military members who have fought for this country, suffrage activists and Civil Rights leaders are only a few examples of those to whom we owe our respect and appreciation. Voting gives you the opportunity to help pay that debt.
• Your vote MATTERS
  • Too often, many students feel that their vote does not matter. But recent elections show that outcomes can be decided by a handful of votes. If you do not vote, your voice is not heard. Moreover, college students have the potential to be a key constituency in every election. With millions of college students eligible to vote, your collective voice can make a significant difference.

Absentee Ballots:

Minnesota – You can apply for an absentee ballot in Minnesota here.  You can apply for a ballot any time during the year, except the day of the election. Leave time for election officials to mail your ballot. Your returned ballot must be received by Election Day.

States other than Minnesota – Visit Can I Vote and choose your state from the dropdown menu.  It will take you to your state’s requirements and processes for absentee voting.

Voting Early:

Minnesota – Minnesota does offer early voting. You can vote early with an absentee ballot at your county elections office. Some cities and towns in Minnesota offer additional locations for early voting. See here for deadlines

Other States – You can check to see if your state offers early voting and the process for doing so here. Not all states offer early voting.  Even if your state does offer early voting, please be aware of any deadline for such voting.

Voting in Person:

Winona on-campus students: On Election Day, you can simply walk up the hill to the Radiant Church, 850 Highway 14, to vote.  Click here for a map to the polling place.

Winona off-campus Students: Where you live in Winona will determine where you vote. In order to vote in Winona (if you have not yet registered), you will need to bring your driver’s license/government issued id, a copy of a bill with your name and your Winona address, or a copy of your lease agreement with your name on it. If you don’t have any of those, you can also have a Minnesota resident (who has already registered) vouch for you at the polls.  Find your polling place here.

Rochester Campus students: Check out the Olmsted County Elections  & Voting for information on polling places.

Minneapolis Campus students: Check out Hennepin County Prepare to Vote for where to vote.

If you are voting in another state, you can find your polling place at Vote.org.