(ANOKA) – Absentee ballots must now arrive by Election Day to ensure they will be counted, according to a press release from Anoka County.
The United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on October 29 that ballots that arrive after Election Day must be separated from other ballots in case they are invalidated later by another court order.
“Previously, a ballot that was postmarked Nov. 3 would still be counted so long as it arrived within a week. Anyone who still has an absentee ballot should consider dropping it off at their city hall or at the Anoka County Government Center. Do not place it in the mail, as it might not arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day,” according to the Anoka County press release.
“All drop-off locations will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. For more information, visit anokacounty.us/elections. This site includes the addresses of all ballot drop-off locations, early in-person absentee voting locations and hours, and where to go to vote on Election Day. The deadline to drop off absentee ballots at city halls or the Anoka County Government Center on Election Day is 3 p.m. Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at the polling place. Voters who have already returned their ballot by mail can verify whether it has been received and will be counted at mnvotes.org/track. If an absentee ballot has not yet been received, voters can vote early in-person or on Election Day at their polling place,” according to the press release.
As of Friday morning, Anoka County has sent out 99,876 absentee ballots. More than 72,000 have been accepted for counting. That means thousands of ballots may still be with voters who have not yet returned them.
