Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State : Voter Assistance

How do I order materials in an alternative format?
Do people lose their right to vote if they suffer from dementia or another cognitive impairment?
Is assistance available to voters who need help to either read or mark a ballot?
If voters are unable to leave their car and walk into a polling place, are they still allowed to vote on Election Day?

How do I order materials in an alternative format?

Do people lose their right to vote if they suffer from dementia or another cognitive impairment?

Is assistance available to voters who need help to either read or mark a ballot?

If voters are unable to leave their car and walk into a polling place, are they still allowed to vote on Election Day?

Q: How do I order materials in an alternative format? A: Materials can be provided in Braille, on audio tape, on CD or in Large Print. To order any of the brochures on this website or to order a Voter Registration Application and instructions on how to fill it out, contact the Secretary of State Elections Division at: Email: secretary.state@state.mn.us Phone: 651-215-1440 Greater MN toll free: 1-877-600-8683 Minnesota relay service: 711 Fax: 651-296-9073 Refer to the Contact Us link for additional contact information. Allow up to 5 business days to receive your request. Note that Voter Registration Applications are available on this website in text-format and letter-size or large print PDF versions on the Registering to Vote page. To order an application for an absentee ballot or a ballot to be used on Election Day, contact your county elections official or city clerk. Find county contact information with the Election Official Directory. Every county and most cities will have a TDD device for questions. Be sure to call early to provide adequate lead time for the election officials to provide the alternative format materials.
Q: Do people lose their right to vote if they suffer from dementia or another cognitive impairment? A: No. People with cognitive impairments are eligible to vote, except in the following circumstances: Citizens who have been placed under a court-ordered guardianship in which the court has specifically revoked voting rights are not allowed to vote Citizens ruled legally incompetent by a court of law are not allowed to vote However, in order to vote, persons with cognitive impairments must be able to mark their ballots or be able to indicate their choices to a person assisting them in marking their ballots. It is illegal for a person assisting a voter to attempt to influence the voter’s choices or to mark a ballot if the voter cannot communicate his or her wishes. For more information, please see the page on Voting for People With Cognitive Impairments and/or Under Guardianship.
Q: Is assistance available to voters who need help to either read or mark a ballot? A: Yes. For more information, please see our page on Assisting Voters.
Q: If voters are unable to leave their car and walk into a polling place, are they still allowed to vote on Election Day? A: Yes. Voters who cannot easily enter the polling place may ask for a ballot to be delivered to a motor vehicle outside the polling place. Two election judges from different major political parties will bring the voting materials out and assist the voter. This practice is known as curbside voting.

Q: How do I order materials in an alternative format?

Materials can be provided in Braille, on audio tape, on CD or in Large Print.

To order any of the brochures on this website or to order a Voter Registration Application and instructions on how to fill it out, contact the Secretary of State Elections Division at:

Email: secretary.state@state.mn.us
Phone: 651-215-1440
Greater MN toll free: 1-877-600-8683

Minnesota relay service: 711
Fax: 651-296-9073

Refer to the Contact Us link for additional contact information.

Allow up to 5 business days to receive your request.

Note that Voter Registration Applications are available on this website in text-format and letter-size or large print PDF versions on the Registering to Vote page.

To order an application for an absentee ballot or a ballot to be used on Election Day, contact your county elections official or city clerk. Find county contact information with the Election Official Directory. Every county and most cities will have a TDD device for questions. Be sure to call early to provide adequate lead time for the election officials to provide the alternative format materials.

Q: Do people lose their right to vote if they suffer from dementia or another cognitive impairment?

No. People with cognitive impairments are eligible to vote, except in the following circumstances:

Citizens who have been placed under a court-ordered guardianship in which the court has specifically revoked voting rights are not allowed to vote
Citizens ruled legally incompetent by a court of law are not allowed to vote

However, in order to vote, persons with cognitive impairments must be able to mark their ballots or be able to indicate their choices to a person assisting them in marking their ballots. It is illegal for a person assisting a voter to attempt to influence the voter’s choices or to mark a ballot if the voter cannot communicate his or her wishes. For more information, please see the page on Voting for People With Cognitive Impairments and/or Under Guardianship.

Q: Is assistance available to voters who need help to either read or mark a ballot?

Yes. For more information, please see our page on Assisting Voters.

Q: If voters are unable to leave their car and walk into a polling place, are they still allowed to vote on Election Day?

Yes. Voters who cannot easily enter the polling place may ask for a ballot to be delivered to a motor vehicle outside the polling place. Two election judges from different major political parties will bring the voting materials out and assist the voter. This practice is known as curbside voting.

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Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State

Frequently Asked Questions - Voter Assistance