A guide for voting in Winona this election season

Ren Gennerman, Features Editor

With less than a week to go before Election Day, countless college students have already voted or have a plan to vote on Nov. 3. However, some students may still be unclear on how to vote, where to vote or who is on their ballot. Below is some information that may help with your vote this Election Day.
What do I need to vote?
Every state has different requirements for voting. According to website Democracy Works, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization built to help people know how and when to vote, this is what you need to vote in Minnesota:
be a citizen of the United States
be a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days before the election
maintain residence at the address given on the registration form
be at least 18 years old on Eelection Day
if previously convicted of a felony, your felony sentence has expired or been completed or you have been discharged from the sentence
not be under a court-ordered guardianship in which the right to vote has been revoked
not be found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote
According to the site, voters do not need to show identification in Minnesota if their voter registration is current and active. However, if you are voting for the first time, you will have to show identification if you registered by mail and your ID number could not be verified by the state or if you are registering to vote on Election Day.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
a valid ID with current name and address, which can be expired (e.g. driver’s license, Minnesota ID card, learner’s permit, US passport, student ID from a Minnesota high school, college, or technical school, U.S. military or veteran ID or a tribal ID card with name, address, photo and signature)
a photo ID and a document with current name and address, which can be shown on an electronic device (e.g. utility bill, bank or credit card statement, mortgage or lease)
a registered voter from your precinct who can confirm your name and address
notice of late registration
valid registration in the same precinct
college student ID (if a student housing list is provided)
are a staff person of a residential facility.

Where do I vote?
If you are registered to vote in Winona, your polling place will depend on your address. If you look online, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon allows participants to put in their address to see where they can vote. The Winona Daily News also provided their own list.
Here are some examples of polling places in town:

Kryzsko Commons
East Recreation Center
Wesley United Methodist Church
Westfield Golf Club
West End Rec Center
St. Cecilia Commons in Cotter Schools
Central Lutheran Church
Lake Lodge
American Legion Senior Friendship Center
Winona Family Community Center Faith Lutheran Church
Radiant Church
Sobieski Park Pavillion
National Guard Armory
Sauer Memorial Home
Cotter’s John Nett Center

What is on my ballot?
While what exactly is on your ballot will depend on your address, here are some examples on the positions that are up for election on Nov. 3 according to the Vote 411 website:
Minnesota Senate
Minnesota House District 1
Minnesota State Senate District 28
Minnesota State House District 28A
Winona County Soil and Water Supervisor Districts 2, 3 and 5
Winona City Mayor
Winona City Council Member at Large
Winona City Council Member Ward 1
Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice 4
Judge – Court of Appeals 3, 9, 13 and 15
Judge – 3rd District Court 4, 6, 7, 14, 17, 19, 20 and 22
United States President

According to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Winona’s polling places open at 7 a.m. on Nov. 3 and close at 8 p.m. If voters are in line at 8 p.m., they are still allowed to vote, even if they have not yet reached the front of the line.
If you are interested in live election coverage, follow @Winonan on Twitter.