Artwork by Christi Belcourt
A great resource I WILL VOTE.COM Have questions about voting?
Call our voter hotline at 833-336-8683.
PowWow the Vote MN website was built to empower the native vote in local northern rural and reservation areas of northern Minnesota.
Our Mission is to Empower our Communities
We understand elections, registering and voting can be challenging; we created this website to empower the Native Vote. We are all in this together. Learn More
“It’s time to vote White Earth, it’s time to join Native people nationally to rock the vote and change this country- that’s what millions of Americans are about to do. But we have to work hard, because forces are working against voter participation.
Why Vote?
Because your vote counts. It’s an irony for sure. Santee philosopher John Trudell used to always point out that they did not give Native people the right to vote until we were l% of the population. You can be sure that we would not have elected Andrew Jackson or Knute Nelson if we could have voted. However nationally and statewide, we are beginning to flex some power, and it shows.
The Native American population is 6.8 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau information from 2018. While that is relatively small compared with the U.S. population, which is nearly 330 million, the Native American population has more than doubled the growth rate of the United States. From 2000 to 2016, the U.S. population grew 14% while the American Indian and Alaskan Native population experienced 35% growth. Those Native people are going to vote, and a lot of those people are in rural areas, where Republicans have come to feel comfortable, because Native people have not voted. Here’s why you should vote- Tribal sovereignty is being threatened in the Courts, the legislature and Congress. Health care faces cuts, and politicians are making decisions about our water and our wild rice which will impact all of us.
Our future generations count on us voting. In fact, all of our well being is at stake. So, it’s time to put our power together. To register to vote you just need valid ID and an address. You can fill out a form this week and get a ballot sent to you or you can drive to the polls.” Winona LaDuke
There are options to vote early person, mail in early vote ballot, vote absentee and vote on election day plus voter registration online and / or in-person voter.
Vote early (absentee)
In Minnesota, you can vote early with an absentee ballot starting 46 days before Election Day. You can request an absentee ballot online. Read about other options and more information about absentee voting at the links below.
Vote early by mailVote early in personVote from military or abroadTrack your absentee ballot
Use this application for federal, state and county elections To complete this application online you must: Be eligible to register and vote in Minnesota Provide an email address Provide your identification number: MN-issued driver's license, Minnesota ID card or last 4 digits of Social Security Number.
If you do not have an email address and one of the identification numbers above, you cannot apply for your absentee ballot online. You may apply with a paper form by clicking this link, selecting your preferred language, and printing out the paper absentee ballot application.
If you are an active duty military or overseas voter, do not use this application. Use the special application for military and overseas voters.
If you already submitted your application, do not submit another one online; use the Absentee Ballot Lookup to find out where your absentee ballot is in the process, or contact your county election office.
In-person at county offices
Apply by email, mail or fax. Return the paper application to your county election office by mail, fax or email.
We encourage you to register before Election Day—it will save you time at the polling place. You can register to vote online.
Registration temporarily closes 20 days before the election, and opens again on Election Day for voters who register at their polling place.
Paper applications must be received by 5 p.m. on that same day.
Mail or drop off your application to either your county election office, or to: Secretary of State, 60 Empire Dr., Suite 100
Saint Paul, MN 55103
You must be:
A U.S. citizen
At least 18 years old on Election Day
A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
Finished with all parts of any felony sentence
You can vote while under guardianship unless a judge specifically has revoked your right to vote.
You cannot vote if a court has ruled that you are legally incompetent.
Registering to vote for 17-year-olds:
To pre-register to vote at 17-years-old in Minnesota, you must be at least 18-years-old when the next election occurs (special, township, state primary, or state general).
Because special elections can be called at unexpected times, your application may be returned if an election becomes scheduled in between the date you register and your birthday. If that happens, simply wait until that election passes, and register again.
You can see if you are registered at your current address.
Below map coverage is for Becker, Clearwater and Mahnomen Counties in the White Earth Band Tribal areas. The “yes,” are locations for early voting (in person or by mail through county elections offices). The “no” locations are Election Day polling locations.
Registration deadlines
By mail - Jul 21
Online - Jul 21
In person - Aug 11
Absentee voter deadlines
Application online - Aug 11
Application in person - Aug 11
Submission by mail - Aug 11
Submission in person - Aug 11
Early voting
Early voting is available starting 46 days before the election via absentee voting by mail or in person
Begins - Jun 26
Ends - Aug 10
By mail - Oct 13
Online - Oct 13
In person - Nov 3
Application online - Nov 3
Application in person - Nov 3
Submission by mail - Nov 3
Submission in person - Nov 3
Early voting is available starting 46 days before the election via absentee voting by mail or in person
Begins - Sep 18
Ends - Nov 2
Registration temporarily closes 20 days before the election, and opens again on Election Day for voters who register at their polling place.
Becker County Route Days
Pine Point Starts (Mon + Wed)
If we are able to cover Becker on Nov. 3rd, we will make our rounds but will be in Mahnomen County this day.
ElECTION DAY November 3rd we will be crossing through Pine Point into White Earth to Becker County all Day.
Mahnomen County Route Days
Rice Lake Starts (Tues + Thurs)
We will visit facilities, nursing homes, community centers, or residential if you call us to schedule it. All has the right and opportunity to ride the Rez Uber and vote.
We will be offering the Rez Uber up until Election Day, Nov. 3rd.
