Curbside Voting Available at St. Cloud City Hall and Polling Places

(KNSI) – St. Cloud voters who have trouble getting into a polling place can cast their ballot without leaving their vehicle.

City Council member Scott Brodeen asked City Clerk Seth Kauffman about the option during the council’s meeting after spotting a curbside voting sign on his way into city hall. Kauffman explained that curbside voting is offered for early absentee voting at St. Cloud City Hall and at polling locations on Election Day.

Every curbside ballot is handled by a pair of election judges, never just one.

“So it’s never one judge who is walking a ballot out to a voter who is unable to come into a polling location, but two judges, one of each party, of each major political party, is present at all times through that process.”

Voters who want to vote curbside fill out a paper application. Election staff take it inside, confirm the person is registered in that precinct, and then the two judges bring the ballot out. Kauffman says voters are served one at a time, even if several people arrive in the same vehicle. He told the council mobility issues are the most common reason people ask for curbside voting.

Early absentee voting has been underway at city hall for 12 business days, run jointly with Stearns County. Kauffman says turnout has been climbing steadily, with nearly 70 voters coming in on the day of the meeting.

Starting Friday, October 16th, early voting shifts to in-person voting, where people can feed their ballot directly into a machine. Until then, voters who already filled out an absentee ballot can still change their minds. Those ballots stay sealed in their envelopes until October 16th, and a voter can ask to recall theirs. The original ballot is then spoiled and a new one is issued.

Brodeen also asked whether there had been any signs of trouble, such as double voting or intimidation, during early voting.

“There have been none of those red flags that have been reported to me and my staff throughout this early or absentee period,” said Kauffman.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.

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