Eagan Voter's Guide: What to Know Before Hitting the Polls on Nov. 6

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Election day is nearly upon us—Tuesday, Nov. 6, is the big day—and Eagan Patch wants to make sure you're prepared.

We've done our best with our 2012 Elections Guide to bring you insightful candidate coverage to help you make your decision. But we know the logistics of voting—the how, where and when—are just as important. Every vote matters. We want to make sure you get your red sticker.

Polling Places

Eagan residents saw plenty of changes to their polling stations and precinct boundaries earlier this year, as Eagan officials redrew the city's precinct map in the wake of the state's legislative redistricting.

As a result, you may have a new voting precinct or polling location. The Minnesota Secretary of State's website has a very easy to use polling place finder. Otherwise, here are the new polling sites in Eagan (for a map, click on the PDF file attached to this article). Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

More Voting Information

The state of Minnesota has a Voters Bill of Rights and allows for a wide range of allowances for people to get out and vote.

• Employers are required by law to allow employees (you) to be absent from work for the purpose of voting. You cannot be docked wages, personal leave, vacation time, or otherwise penalized in any way for taking the time needed to cast a ballot. So get out there and vote.
• Long lines? Getting late? If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8 p.m., you have the right to vote, even if you ballot is cast after the polls close.
• Nowhere to bring the kids? No worries: you have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into the voting booth with you.
• Need help to vote? You have the right to request special assistance when voting, and if you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.

Other Stuff

The Minnesota Secretary of State's website has a number of other useful election day tidbits for those with questions about:

• Getting rides to your Polling Place
• Polling Place and Ballot Accessibility
• Voting Challenges
• Protecting Election Integrity
• Information in other languages
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Voting for People Under Guardianship
• Voting for Students
• Voting When You Are in the Hospital
• Voting When Your Home Is in Foreclosure
• Voting When You Are Homeless
• Voting When You Fear For Your Safety
• Voting Challenges
• Protecting Election Integrity

Register to Vote on Election Day

If you are not registered to vote where you currently live, you may do so at your local polling location on Election Day as long as you can provide proof of residence. Not sure if you're registered to vote at your current address? Click here to find out.

To register at your polling place on Election Day, you must bring one of the following with your current name and address to verify your residence in the precinct:

• A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card, or receipt for any of these
• A valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address 
• A notice of late registration sent to you by your county auditor or city clerk
• A voter registered in the same precinct as you who can confirm your address with a signed oath
• An employee of the residential facility where you live who can confirm your address with a signed oath
• Both 1) a photo ID from the list below, and 2) a current bill from the list below with your current name and address in the precinct
  • Bills can include any utility bill due within 30 days of election day
  • Rent statement dated within 30 days of election day that itemizes utilities

Sample Ballots

Check out your sample ballots here. Remember, if you need to, you can bring a sample ballot with you inside the voting booth.