How to Vote

Please note:  laws have changed since the 2020 State General Election; therefore, the locked drop box on the outside of the West entrance of the Courthouse is NOT for ballot drop off.  If your ballot is deposited in the outside drop box, it will not be counted.

Vote on Election Day

The traditional way to vote is to go to your polling place on Election Day.  Generally, you vote in the city or township where you live.  If you recently registered, you will receive a postcard that tells you the location of your polling place. You can also look up your polling place location online by entering your address in the Polling Location Finder. You can also call the Sibley County Auditor-Treasurer's Office at (507) 237-4070 or email Sibley County Elections for the location of your polling place in Sibley County County.  

Remember, how you vote is secret!  Asking people about their votes or campaigning is not allowed in or around any polling place.

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 out to you in your car via a process called Curbside Voting.

For more information about Election Day Voting, visit the Secretary of State's website.

If you reside in one of Sibley County's Mail Ballot precincts, you may vote at the Auditor-Treasurer's Office on Election Day.  Your traditional polling place in your city or township is not open on Election Day for mail ballot voters.  More information about mail balloting can be found below and on our Mail Ballot Precincts page.

How to Vote Basics

Go to your polling place:

  • You must vote at your assigned polling place.  Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. while some townships may be open as late as 10 a.m.
  • You have a right to time off work to vote, without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time.

Sign in or register to vote:

  • If you are registered to vote in Sibley County, an election judge will pull up your information on a Poll Pad (electronic roster).  You will be asked to verify your information and then you will sign the Voter's Oath.  If you are registered, you do not need to show ID when you sign in.
  • If you did not register before Election Day, you must show proof of your current address. 

Vote:

  • An election judge will show you how the ballot works and you can ask for help with reading or marking the ballot, if you need it.  
  • You will vote in a private area, and your vote is secret. Vote with a black pen and completely fill in the oval next to your choice. You can also fill out your ballot using a ballot-marking machine. It has many options for marking your ballot, such as large print, audio instructions, key pad or touchscreen.
  • The ballot instructions will say how many candidates you can choose for each office. Usually it will say to ‘choose one.’ Some local offices may have more than one seat to fill.
  • Your ballot will count even if you do not vote on every race or ballot question.
  • If you make a mistake, you have a right to ask for a replacement ballot.

Take your ballot to the ballot box:

  • After you have voted, put your ballot in the ballot-counter.
  • Be sure to get your “I Voted” sticker before you leave!

Vote Early by Absentee Ballot

You can vote early if you wish - you don't need a reason or excuse. You can request a ballot be mailed to you to vote from home, or you may vote at the Sibley County Auditor-Treasurer's Office during the 46 days prior to each election. 

More information about voting early can be found on our Absentee Voting page.

Vote by Mail Ballot

Voters in the following 8 precincts in Sibley County vote automatically by mail:  the City of Green Isle and the Townships of Arlington, Bismarck, Cornish, Faxon, Henderson, Sibley, and Washington Lake.  About 30 days before each election, all registered voters in these mail ballot precincts will be mailed a ballot. They can vote that ballot, following the instructions, and return it in the postage-paid envelope.  Mail voters can also return their ballots in person to the Sibley County Auditor-Treasurer's Office at the Courthouse in Gaylord.  

More information about mail balloting can be found on our Mail Ballot Precincts page.