Presidential Nomination Primary Election March 3, 2020

In 2016 legislation was passed creating a presidential nomination primary. Has the state had a presidential primary before? Yes, in 1916, 1952, 1956 and 1992. This year, after decades as a caucus state, Minnesota will hold its first presidential primary since 1992. The March 3 primary date places the state in the middle of Super Tuesday, when voters from 15 states and territories cast their ballots.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• You are able to vote early by absentee ballot (in-person or by mail) or on Election Day. Absentee voting began on January 17.

• Presidential candidates will not be on the primary ballot in August.

• Each major political party will have a separate ballot. When you vote, you must choose which major political party’s ballot you want and you will only be given that ballot.

• Which party you choose will be recorded and is private data. However, a list of who voted in a presidential nomination primary and the political party each voter selected will be provided to the chair of each major party. How you vote on the ballot will be kept secret.

• In accordance with Minnesota Statute 206.58, the new DS200 voting system will be available for demonstration in the County Auditor-Treasurer’s office from January 21-February 24. The public will have the opportunity to vote a demonstration ballot prior to election day.

WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT?

• By law, only major parties can participate in the primary. There are four major parties in Minnesota but only two - the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican Party - have submitted candidates for the ballot. Two other major parties, the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party and the Legal Marijuana Now Party, will not be participating.

• The chair of each major party submitted a list of candidates for the party’s ballot prior to December 31, 2019.

• Those candidates will appear on the ballot even if they drop out of the presidential race before March 3.

• Each party decides if they want to include a write-in choice or an option to vote for 'uncommitted'.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

• Registered voters in Sibley Township will have ballots mailed directly to them approximately one month before Election Day.

• All other precincts will vote at their normal polling place.

• Unregistered voters can register any time online, by mail or at the county Auditor-Treasurer’s office prior to the election. Registration can also take place right at your polling place on election day. Pre-registration deadline is February 11, 2020.

• If you are unsure where your polling place is located, it can be found at mnvotes.org.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PRIMARY?

• Party delegates will go to a national convention where a final candidate is nominated.

• Parties must use the presidential primary results to choose the delegates.

• Each party handles delegate elections according to their party rules.

WILL THERE STILL BE PRECINCT CAUCUSES?

• Yes. Precinct caucuses will take place on February 25 to conduct other party business.

• The presidential primary election replaces the presidential straw poll which was held during the precinct caucus.

WILL THERE STILL BE A PRIMARY IN AUGUST?

• The regular State Primary Election will still take place on August 11, 2020. The presidential primary replaces only the presidential straw poll that used to be held during the precinct caucus and Presidential primary in August.

Any questions, contact:

Office of the Sibley County Auditor-Treasurer

400 Court Avenue

P.O. Box 51

Gaylord, MN 55334

Phone: 507-237-4070

Fax: 507-237-4358

Email: Elections@co.sibley.mn.us

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