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Vote

Be a part of the political process and vote. Sharing your opinion on the importance of HIV education and services is an important step in shaping public policy here in Minnesota. Hold your elected officials accountable by casting your ballot and encourage them to remain committed to reducing the impact of HIV in the community.

2012 Election Information

• Precinct Caucuses: February 7, 2012
• State Primary Election: August 14, 2012
• State General Election: November 6, 2012

In 2012, you will be voting on the following:

• U.S. President & V.P.
• U.S. Senator
• U.S. Representative
• State Senator
• State Representative
• County Commissioner
• City Officers
• School Board
• Township Officers

Use the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State to find out where your polling place is located.

Voting locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with voting beginning at 10:00 a.m. in some townships.

Nonprofit Political Activity Restrictions

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Minnesota AIDS Project does not support candidates or political parties. However, we do support your right and responsibility to do so. The following information is a basic overview of what is and is not permissible voter mobilization activity for 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

Things you CAN do as a 501(c)(3) organization

• Conduct voter registration and nonpartisan get–out–the–vote ("GOTV") efforts.
  • Drives must be designed to educate the public about the importance of voting.
  • Activities cannot be biased for or against any candidate or party.
  • Nonprofits can target areas in nonpartisan ways. For instance, nonprofits may target low–turnout areas, low–income populations, minority populations, and students.
  • Nonprofits may target registration and turnout efforts to the areas or people they serve.
• Educate the public on issues and encourage participation in the political process.
• Educate all candidates and political parties on your issues.
• Conduct or participate in a nonpartisan candidate forum. The forum must be open to all candidates, be run in a balanced way, and include a broad range of nonpartisan questions for the candidates.
• Make presentations on your organization's issue to platform committees, campaign staff, candidates, media, and the general public.
• Work on behalf of a ballot measure.
• Continue your normal lobbying on issues.
• Rent or sell mailing lists to candidates at fair market value, if made available to all candidates.

Things you CANNOT do as a 501(c)(3) organization

• Endorse or oppose a candidate—implicit or explicit. Contribute money, time, or facilities to a candidate.
• Coordinate activities with a candidate.
• Restrict rental of your mailing list and facilities to certain candidates.
• Set up, fund, or manage a Political Action Committee (PAC), established under section 527 of the tax code mainly for electoral activity.

These restrictions in no way prohibit officers, members, or employees from participating in a political campaign as private citizens.

REGISTER TO VOTE

Voter eligibility and registration info.

LOCAL CANDIDATES

Find information on local candidates.

WHERE TO VOTE

Locate a polling place near you.