Your ballot, explained.
The one statewide constitutional amendment in the official words, every candidate for federal, statewide and legislative office. County and local races are on your sample ballot. No endorsements. Every claim links to its source.
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Heard this? Here are the facts
Each claim gets a plain status: True, False, or Promised, not law.
- Heard this? "You need a photo ID to vote in Minnesota." False
The facts: If you are already registered at your current address, you do not need to show any ID. You need proof of where you live only if you are registering or updating your registration at the polls, or if you have not voted in four years or more. source: sos.mn.gov (Minnesota Secretary of State) - Heard this? "If you missed the pre-registration deadline, you can't vote on Nov. 3." False
The facts: Minnesota lets you register at your polling place on Election Day or when you vote early. Bring proof of where you live: for example, a Minnesota driver's license or ID with your current address, a photo ID plus a recent bill or lease, or a registered voter from your precinct who signs an oath for you. source: sos.mn.gov (Minnesota Secretary of State) - Heard this? "People with a felony record can't vote in Minnesota." False
The facts: You can vote unless you are in prison right now for a felony. People on probation or parole can vote. You do need to register again, and you can do that on Election Day. source: sos.mn.gov (Minnesota Secretary of State) - Heard this? "A mail ballot counts as long as it is postmarked by Election Day." False
The facts: Your mail ballot must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3. A witness (any U.S. citizen 18 or older, or a notary) must see your blank ballot and sign. You can also drop it off in person. source: sos.mn.gov (Minnesota Secretary of State) source: sos.mn.gov (Minnesota Secretary of State) - Heard this? "Skipping the constitutional amendment question has no effect on whether it passes." False
The facts: In Minnesota, an amendment needs YES votes from more than half of everyone who votes in the election. A ballot that leaves the question blank counts the same as a NO vote. source: news.ballotpedia.org source: lmc.org - Heard this? "You'll get $5,000 after the election." Promised, not law
The facts: On Sept. 9, 2026 the President promised every adult $5,000, a "Trump Dividend", if Republicans keep both the House and the Senate. It is a campaign promise that depends on the election results; no law or payment exists today. Congress would have to pass it, and AP estimates it would cost over $1 trillion. Is this legal? Experts disagree. Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, wrote: "No, Mr. President you can't offer voters $5000 if the Republicans win the House and Senate." Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner called it a completed crime under the federal vote-buying law (18 U.S.C. 597). Election attorney John Day told AP it is legal because it would go to everyone regardless of how they vote: "This is a campaign promise." Rice University political scientist Mark Jones: "It's unsavory, but it's legal." Your ballot is secret, so no payment can depend on how you personally vote. source: kold.com source: internazionale.it source: newsweek.com source: ibtimes.co.uk source: katv.com - Heard this? "Someone can legally pay you to vote, or to vote a certain way." False
The facts: No. Paying or offering to pay anyone to vote or to register to vote in a federal election is a federal crime (52 U.S.C. 10307(c)). Accepting the payment is a crime too. source: law.cornell.edu - Heard this? "The $1 million-a-day giveaway in 2024 paid people for voting." False
The facts: That contest was open only to registered voters in seven swing states, and entering meant signing a petition, not voting. The group's lawyer told a Pennsylvania court the winners were "not chosen by chance". The judge let it continue. source: aljazeera.com
Checked against official sources, court records and news reports. We update this as new claims go around.
Key dates
- Pre-registration for Nov. 3 has closed. You can still register at your polling place on Election Day, or when you vote early, with proof of where you live.
- Mail and in-person absentee voting began Friday, Sept. 18. Early voting in person runs Friday, Oct. 16 through Monday, Nov. 2.
- Mail ballots: apply by Oct. 20 to be safe. Your ballot must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3 (a postmark is not enough). A witness must sign.
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (some towns under 500 people open at 10 a.m.). If you are in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.
Early and mail voting dates from the Secretary of State's other ways to vote page . Mail ballot rules from the vote by mail page . Poll hours from the voting hours page .Check your registration and sample ballot on the Secretary of State: What's on my ballot (sample ballot and polling place) .
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