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1. Throughout the media there is so much talk about the different ways to vote. So, what is the difference between early voting and absentee voting?

There is no difference. You have three options to choose from. You can vote early by mail, you can vote early in person or you can vote on Election Day at your polling place.

2. How would I request a ballot for myself, or for a family member, prior to Election Day?

You cannot request a ballot for someone else. Each voter must submit a completed and signed absentee ballot application. The absentee ballot application is available on this website (PDF). Paper copies are also available at City Hall. The completed application can be mailed, emailed, faxed or delivered in person to City Hall.

3. How early can I request a ballot by mail? How soon can I come into City Hall to vote early in person?

You can apply for an absentee ballot any time. We will begin mailing ballots the week of September 14.  Ballots will be available at City Hall for in-person voting on Friday, September 18.

4. For those residents requesting their ballot by mail closer to Election Day, what would you say is a good deadline to request their ballot?

Don’t procrastinate. We cannot speak for the U.S. Postal Service. Keep in mind that your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received in our office no later than November 10 in order to be counted. The law was changed for the 2020 General Election allowing seven additional days for postal delivery of ballots due to COVID-19.

5. Why do I need to complete the application form when I don’t need to do that at my precinct on Election Day?

Minnesota law requires the completion of an application in order to receive an absentee ballot for early voting.

6. If I have already requested a ballot to be mailed, how soon should I expect to see it in my mailbox?

We will begin mailing ballots the week of September 14.

7. If my family doesn’t trust the U.S Postal System to return our ballots in time, what other options do we have?

You can use a package delivery service, such as FedEx or UPS.  Also, you can drop off ballots at City Hall for up to three persons. You will be asked to show identification and sign an agent delivery roster. We do not have a secure ballot drop box for after hours.

8. If using USPS, Fed Ex, or UPS to send my ballot back, when is a good deadline to get the ballot in the mail so you can receive it in time?

You should check with the delivery service you are using. There are options for next-day delivery with additional fees.

9. What is the deadline for dropping a ballot off at City Hall?

The deadline is 3 p.m. on Election Day.

10. When voting in person at city hall, sometimes I place my ballot in an envelope and sometimes I feed it directly into the ballot counter. Why is there a difference?

Minnesota law allows absentee voters to deposit their ballots directly into the ballot counter beginning the 7th day before the election. (For this election, direct balloting starts October 27.)

11. Lakeville municipality has some unique boundaries with different City/County lines. Please explain where I should go or who I should contact to request an absentee ballot.

Lakeville residents are served by three different post offices (Lakeville, Rosemount and Farmington). The City of Lakeville issues ballots only to Lakeville residents, regardless of which post office delivers their mail. Scott County residents should request an absentee ballot from the Scott County Government Center in Shakopee. Eureka Township residents should request a ballot from the Dakota County Government Center in Hastings.