I have residency in Wisconsin... but I go to college in Minnesota... can I vote?

[Levgreee]

do I have to do paperwork or can I just go to the caucus? Would it count for a vote for WI, or MN?

[napi21]

1. It depends on where you are registered. You can't be a registered voter

in more than ONE place!

[Levgreee]

3. hmm dunno if i'm registered... last time I voted was absentee for WI in IA, 2004 election

[islandmkl]

2. at least try to vote both places...

one vote might actually survive the counting!

[Adelante]

4. It varies from state to state what the requirements are

You do have the right in any state of the nation to vote or caucus from your college address. Individual states sometimes have restrictions. You need to find out locally, but sometimes there is a time period in which you have to register beforehand or ID requirements to be met. What you cannot do is vote from both your home and college addresses.

[Sir Jeffrey]

5. Here

Wisconsin:

http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/core/faq_wisconsin_voting_elections.html

Minnesota:

http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=204

If you wanted to vote in Wisconsin, you could just use your permanent address and either go home for the primary or try to get an absentee ballot. If you are wanting to register in Minnesota they allow you to register on election day to vote. Whichever state you vote in the results will count for that state alone. If you get an absentee ballot for Wisconsin you can fill that out and mail it in and have your vote count in Wisconsin.

But whatever you do, make sure you read the links I posted closely before just showing up to vote.

Editing to stress that apparently you are allowed to participate in the Minnesota caucus without registering to vote

[no name no slogan]

6. You do not have to be registered to vote in order to caucus in MN

because it's a caucus (not an election) it's a little different. You do have to be a MN resident for twenty days, and have to be eligible to vote by election day in November.


Visit the DFL's site (www.dfl.org) for more info on caucusing.

[Sir Jeffrey]

9. Damn caucuses...

are you telling me that you can just waltz into the caucus and leave without registering to vote? I thought they made you register before you could participate.

[no name no slogan]

11. A caucus is not an election

A caucus is a party function, not a governmental function. It's the party's rules, and they can conduct them however they please.

I'm sure they will probably have voter registration cards there if you want to register to vote, but it's not a requirement.

EDITED TO ADD: Minnesota also has a primary election in September, after the party endorsing conventions are over.

[Sir Jeffrey]

12. Thank you for correcting me on that...

I edited my original post to that extent.

[no name no slogan]

13. Yeah, it's a weird thing. People from non-caucus states think we're all nuts

but it seems to have worked out for other party business in the past. Plus, I think people are kind of attached to it and would really be mad if we got rid of it. :)

[LiberalFighter]

7. IMO you should vote in Wisconsin as it needs all the votes it can get

especially in November.

But if you consider Minnesota to be your resident state and intend to remain there after you graduate then register there and cancel your registration in Wisconsin. Otherwise, vote absentee in Wisconsin.

If you might run for political office in the future in Wisconsin after living in another state due to job requirements it might be wise to maintain Wisconsin voting as long as possible.

[no name no slogan]

8. You DO NOT have to be a registered voter in MN to caucus

From the DFL's web site:

Who can participate at the precinct caucus?

Any Minnesotan can participate if they are: eligible to vote by November 4, 2008, not an active member of another political party (or attending another political party's caucus in 2008) and subscribe to the Constitution and Bylaws set forth by the DFL Party.

While those who will not be 18 by November 4, 2008 may also participate in general caucus business, they cannot vote in the Presidential Preference ballot or vote for delegates.

[Levgreee]

10. Thanks for the help, everyone

should be fun :) They have caucus sites right here on the Twin Cities campus, 5 minute walk for me