Elections

2024 Election Dates:

March 5, 2024 – Presidential Primary Day

August 13, 2024 – Primary Election Day

November 5, 2024 – General Election Day

Save time at the polls and register to vote now at www.mnvotes.org.

Absentee Voting

You can vote early by using an absentee ballot, instead of voting in person at the polling place on Election Day. You can vote absentee by mail or in person.  You can request an absentee ballot here: Voter Information Portal (state.mn.us)

Voters in the military and citizens living outside the United States use a different process to vote absentee. For more information, visit https://minnesota.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/home.htm.

The Mower County Auditor Treasurer is responsible for administering absentee voting in the City of Austin. Their office is located in the Mower County Government Center, 201 1st Street NE.   They can be reached at 507-437-9535.

 Polling Places in the City

To find your polling place visit http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/.

Polling places for all wards and precincts are as follows:

Ward 1 / Precinct 1
Ward 1 / Precinct 2
Ward 2 / Precinct 1
Ward 2 / Precinct 2
Ward 3 / Precinct 1
Ward 3 / Precinct 2
City Hall – Council Chambers
Austin High School — Hastings Gym
Southgate Elementary School
Banfield Elementary School
Mower County Senior Center
Ellis Middle School

To view Wards, Precincts, and Polling Places please view this link City of Austin Ward and Precinct Map.

Who is Eligible to Vote?

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Citizen of the United States
  • At least 18 years old on Election Day
  • A Minnesota resident for at least 20 days immediately preceding Election Day
  • Not under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked voting rights
  • Cannot be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony
  • Not found legally incompetent by a court of law

College Students

College students may register to vote at either their home address or college address, whichever is considered their residence. However, students may only register and vote at one location in any election. If the home address is considered residency, but they cannot make it home on Election Day, students can vote by absentee ballot.

What Happens at the Polling Place?

If not already registered, registration is allowed on Election Day (see list of approved proof of residency below). Every Minnesota voter uses a paper ballot. There are three choices available to you to mark your ballot. You may mark the ballot by pen, by use of the OmniBallot, or personal assistance.

  • You can receive additional assistance from election judges or an individual of your choice if you need help. However, that individual cannot be your employer, an agent of your employer, an officer or agent of your union, or a candidate for election.
  • You may ask a poll worker to explain the voting method.
  • Children may accompany a parent into the voting booth.
  • You may carry a sample ballot or list of selected candidates with you.
  • Minnesota law prohibits wearing political buttons or shirts to the polls.

Two weeks before the election, a sample ballot will be posted in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall and in the local newspaper.

For additional Election and Voting information, please visit the link below:
https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/

ELECCIONES EN MINNESOTA (VOTING IN MINNESOTA – SPANISH)
https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/spanish

Registering to Vote

In Minnesota you must be registered before you can vote. You may either pre-register to vote at least 21 days before Election Day or register at your polling location on Election Day. You can check your current registration status online at: www.mnvotes.org. Your voter registration remains current until you change your residence, your name, or do not vote in four consecutive years. Voter registration applications are available online at www.mnvotes.org.

If you did not register before Election Day, use any of the following proof of residence options to register at your polling place.

Option 1: ID with Current Name and Address

Accepted IDs:

  • A valid Minnesota Driver’s license, learners permit, Minnesota ID card or receipt for any of these
  • A Tribal ID card with your name, address, photo and signature

Option 2: Photo ID Plus a Document with Current Name and Address

The ID can be expired, and the document can also be shown electronically on a device (smartphone, tablet, etc.)

Accepted IDs:

  • Driver’s license, state ID card or learner’s permit issued by any state
  • United States Passport
  • United States Military ID card
  • Tribal ID card with the name, signature and photo of the voter
  • Minnesota university, college or technical college ID card
  • Minnesota high school ID card

Acceptable documents:

  • Residential lease or rental agreement (must be valid through Election Day)
  • Current student fee statement
  • Bill, account or start of service statement due or dated within 30 days of election for:
    • Phone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.)
    • TV (cable, satellite, etc.)
    • Internet Services
    • Solid waste or sewer services
    • Electric, gas or water
    • Banking or credit card
    • Rent or mortgage payments

Option 3: Registered Voter Who Can Confirm Your Name and Address

A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. A registered voter can vouch for up to eight others.

Option 4: College Student ID – If a Student Housing List was Provided

College students can use a student photo ID card if their college provided a student housing list to election officials.

Option 5: Valid Registration in the Same Precinct

If you were previously registered in the precinct but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the election official your previous name or address – no additional documentation is needed.

Option 6: Notice of Late Registration

If you pre-registered to vote too close to Election Day, you may have received a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. This notice can be used to register.

Option 7: Staff Person of a Residential Facility

If you live in a residential facility, a facility staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address.

Candidate Campaign Finance information

When candidates file for office with the City Clerk, they are given a copy of the Minnesota Campaign Manual. The Manual explains campaign financial reporting and campaign practices requirements and prohibitions that apply to candidates and committees active on the City level of government. Candidates filing for municipal office and committees acting to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate are required to file a campaign financial report with the City Clerk within 14 days after the candidate or committee receives contributions or makes disbursements of more than $750 in a calendar year. In a year when the candidate’s name appears on the ballot, additional reports are due as follows:

  • 10 days before the primary election
  • 10 days before the general election
  • 30 days after a general election
  • by January 31 of each year following the year when the initial report was filed.

A final report may be filed any time after the candidate, committee, or corporation has settled all debts and disposed of all assets in excess of $100 in aggregate.

Campaign Financial Reports Filed (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 211A.02):

David Schenck6/22/22

Laura Helle 7/22/16  10/28/16  12/08/16  10/28/22  11/15/22
Michael Jordal 9/20/16  10/28/16  
Jason Baskin 10/21/18  11/30/18  12/31/19  5/12/22  7/28/22  11/01/22  11/21/22
Oballa Oballa 6/15/20 10/26/20 11/16/20 10/5/22
Steve King 7/30/20 11/10/20  
Jeffrey Austin 8/17/20 10/24/22 1/3/23