Election FAQ's
2022 General Election FAQ's
Q. When is Election Day?
A. Polls in Waconia are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2020.
Q. Where do I vote in Waconia?
A. Waconia is divided into three precincts, based on addresses. Precinct I residents vote at the Faith Lutheran Church. Precinct II residents vote at Trinity Lutheran Church. Precinct III Residents Vote at the Ice Arena. If you are unsure of your location, there is a precinct finder at www.waconia.org/elections. There are also maps available at City Hall.
Q. What are the options if I want to vote early?
A. In Minnesota, early voting is called absentee voting. Absentee ballots are available 46 days before the election. In Minnesota, anyone can vote absentee without a reason. There are multiple ways to vote absentee.
- In Person: Beginning September 23 through November 7, Waconia residents can come to City Hall during regular business hours (Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) to cast an absentee ballot. If you come to City Hall to vote, you must plan on voting that day, as no ballots can leave City Hall.
Once you arrive at City Hall, you will fill out an absentee ballot application. This can be filled out in advance by downloading one from the City’s website at www.waconia.org/elections.
The City will also offer expanded voting hours on the following dates:
- Saturday, November 5: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Monday, November 2: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- By Mail: You can apply online to have an absentee ballot sent to you by visiting www.waconia.org/votebymail. To have an absentee ballot application mailed or faxed to you, call the Property Tax, Elections, and License Centers Department at Carver County at 952-361-1910. Absentee ballot applications can be returned via:
Mail: Carver County Elections
600 E. 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
Fax: 952-361-1566
Email: elections@co.carver.mn.us
Once your application is received, an absentee ballot will be mailed to you. You can either mail or hand deliver your ballot to Carver County Elections: 600 E. 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318. Complete absentee ballots received via mail cannot be dropped off at Waconia City Hall. We are recommending you have your absentee ballot application in by mid-October to allow ample time for your ballot to be sent and returned.
Q. What if I request a mailed ballot, but then I decide I want to vote in person?
A. As long as your absentee ballot hasn’t been counted by your election officials, you may still cast a ballot in person by voting on Election Day or at your local absentee voting location. You can track the status of your absentee ballot to see when it is sent to you and when it is received by election officials. After voting in person, the unique ballot ID number on your original absentee ballot will be invalidated, so that if it is returned to the election office the officials will not count it. If you plan on voting in person, please do not bring your absentee ballot with you. Your election official will provide you with a new ballot to complete that day.
Q. How do I register to vote?
A. There are multiple ways to register, which you can find by visiting www.waconia.org/registertovote. The easiest way is to click on the link on that page that takes you to the Secretary of State’s website to register online. You will need to have your Driver’s License or MN State ID number. You can also call 952-361-1910 to request a voter registration application, or visit www.waconia.org/elections to download a Voter Registration Form. The last day to pre-register so that you are on the election day voter logs is October 18. You can also register to vote in-person when you come to absentee vote or on Election Day.
To register at your polling place on election day, you will need to bring one proof of residence listed below:
- ID with current name and address (valid MN driver’s license, learner’s permit, or ID, or a receipt for any of these; or a tribal ID with name, address, photo, and signature)
- Photo ID and a document with current name and address. The document can be a bill, account, or start of service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for phone, tv, internet, solid waste, sewer, electric, gas, water, banking, credit card, rent, or mortgage. Additional, residential lease or rent agreements valid through election day or a current student fee statement are also accepted.
- Registered voter who can confirm your address (must be a voter from your precinct)
- College student ID with housing list
- Valid registration in the same precinct
- Notice of late registration
- Staff person of a residential facility
If you have any questions regarding how to vote in the 2022 Election, please contact Jackie Schulze, Assistant City Administrator at 952-442-3103 or jschulze@waconia.org..