The Presidential Primary election is March 3rd

Voters who were registered to vote by February 11, 2020 should have received a ballot for each major political party in the mail for the Cities of Winger and McIntosh as well as residents of King Township.

In 2016 legislation was passed establishing a presidential nomination primary due to overcrowded and uncontrolled precinct caucuses in 2016. Some voters were unable to vote and legislators responded by creating the Presidential Nomination primary election. The first in three decades and part of a new trend being seen on a national level. 

New concerns are arising as voters are learning that both major political parties will get a list of every voter who takes part in the Presidential primary election and of which primary parties ballot they voted on as the Republican and Democratic parties will try to keep each other's parties from crossing party lines in this primary election. 

Voters must choose the ballot of the party whose principles they generally agree with and complete and return one ballot in the postage paid return envelope prior to March 3, 2020. There is no need to keep the additional ballot and votors may discard or destroy the ballot they did not use to vote with.

Some common questions pertaining to the new law about the presidential primary election are: 

When will the presidential nomination primary take place?

March 3, 2020.

Will all parties participate in the presidential nomination primary?

No, only major parties will participate. Two major parties, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and the Republican Party, have submitted candidates for the ballot. Two other major parties, the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party and the Legal Marijuana Now Party, have notified this office that they will not be participating.

Will all parties be on the same ballot?

No, each participating major party will have a separate ballot.

Who decides which candidates will appear on a party’s ballot?

The chair of each party will submit a list of candidates for the party’s ballot no later than 63 days before the date of the presidential primary (December 31, 2019). The Republican candidate list was filed 10/25/19, and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate list was filed 12/17/19.

What if a candidate drops out before the primary?

Once a party’s list is submitted, changes will not be made to candidates that will appear on the ballot.

Will there be a place to write in a choice or vote for “uncommitted”?

Only if it is requested by the party chair. Party chairs will need to submit names of write-in candidates to be counted seven days before the primary.

Will any other offices be on the ballot?

No, only presidential candidates from a major party will appear on the presidential primary ballot. Other offices with a primary will be on the primary ballot in August.

Who can vote in the presidential nomination primary?

Any voter registered in Minnesota. Voters can pre-register through February 11, or register at the polling place when they vote. Note that voters must turn 18 years old by March 3 to vote in the presidential nomination primary.

How will I be able to vote in the presidential nomination primary?

Registered voters will be able to vote at their polling place on presidential primary day or by absentee ballot in the 46 days before presidential primary day (starting January 17, 2020). A voter must request the ballot of the party of their choice. If a voter refuses to select a party, they will not be able to vote in the presidential nomination primary.

Will other people know which party’s ballot I request?

A voter’s choice of party ballot will be recorded and is private data. However, a list of who voted in a presidential nomination primary and the political party each voter selected will be provided to the chair of each major political party. How a voter voted on the ballot will be secret.

Will parties have to abide by the primary results?

The presidential primary results must bind the election of delegates in each party.

Who will pay for the presidential nomination primary?

County and municipalities will be reimbursed by the state for the primary costs.

How much will the primary cost?

The Office of Secretary of State surveyed all 87 Minnesota Counties and, based on that survey, estimates that the cost to administer the Presidential Nomination Primary will be $11.9 million. The Secretary of State has certified this estimate to the Commissioner of Management and Budget. Counties and municipalities will be reimbursed for their costs of administering the Presidential Nomination Primary following the election.

Will there still be precinct caucuses?

Yes, precinct caucuses and local and state nominating conventions will still take place to conduct other party business.