SAINT PAUL, Minn.—August 7, 2012—Secretary of State Mark Ritchie today reminded voters that the State Primary Election is Tuesday, August 14.
"The August 14 primary election is almost here," Ritchie said. “This is the first election since redistricting and those changes directly impacted many Minnesota voters. To help voters find the information they need, such as the status of their voter registration, who will be on their ballot and how to find their polling location, this office created the one-stop election information website www.mnvotes.org.”
A state primary election serves a different purpose than a general election. For partisan races, a primary election narrows the field of candidates for the three major political parties: Republican, Independence, and Democratic-Farmer-Labor to those who will be on the general election ballot. Primary voters also narrow the field of nonpartisan candidates in contests for judicial, county and local offices. Voters will elect those who will represent them in public office during the general election held on November 6.
Minnesota has an "open primary," which means that voters are not required to register with a political party. However, primary voters cannot vote for candidates in more than one political party.
On Tuesday, August 14 most polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Minnesota has Election Day registration, which allows voters to register to vote at the polls.
Unofficial primary election results will be posted after the polls close at 8 p.m. on election night at www.sos.state.mn.us. Additional voter information is available at www.mnvotes.org
"Primary voters will determine which candidates will be on the general election ballot in November,” said Ritchie "Ultimately, the public officials who will make the policy decisions that affect all Minnesotans will be nominated next Tuesday. That is why it is so important to take the time to exercise your right to vote and cast a ballot on August 14."
