Absentee Voting for Elderly, Sick, or Disabled Voters

Individuals who are elderly, sick or disabled may have additional difficulty getting to the polls on election day.  Minnesota provides additional programs and options for these voters.  Below is a list of additional options:

• Become an ongoing absentee voter.  Complete the ongoing absentee voter application to automatically receive an absentee ballot application at least 45 days prior to each election.
• Become a curbside voter.   Voters may voter as an in person absentee voter or may vote at the polling place without leaving their vehicle.
• Election judges travel to Anoka County healthcare facilities at least twenty days prior to each election to administer in person absentee voting to residents.  Healthcare facilities include nursing homes, residential treatment facilities, and hospitals.
• Use an agent.  You may be eligible for a friend or relative to pick up and deliver an absentee ballot to you.  This process is called agent delivery.  In order to use the agent delivery process the following criteria must be met:
  • It must be no earlier than seven days prior to the election, which is Tuesday, September 2, 2008 for the primary and Tuesday, October 28, 2008 for the general.
  • The voter must be one of the following:
    • a voter who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons; or
    • a voter who is disabled; or
    • a patient in a healthcare facility (hospitals, residential treatment centers and nursing homes governed by Minnesota Statutes Sections 144.50 or 144A.02); or
    •  a participant in a residential program for adults licensed under Minnesota Statutes Section 245A.02, Subd. 14; or
    • a resident of a shelter for battered women as defined in Minnesota Statutes Section 611A.37, Subd. 4 ; or
    • a resident of an assisted living facility governed by Minnesota Statutes chapter 144G.
  • The agent must bring a completed absentee ballot application and a completed agent delivery form to Anoka County Elections.

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