As Election Day approaches Minnesotans are raising questions about safety, security and voter privacy. From federal immigration enforcement to how voters’ personal information is handled, here’s what Minnesotans should know ahead of Tuesday, Nov. 3, along with resources for more information.

Who has or gains access to my voter registration information?

Information on registered Minnesota voters is public and available for a fee, depending on the specific information requested. In Minnesota, information on registered voters such as their contact information and voter history is public information, but only available to other registered Minnesota voters and law enforcement.

Voters’ social security numbers, drivers license numbers or state ID numbers are not public information, according to the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Can I remain anonymous while casting my vote?

You can ask to keep your voter registration information private by sending a Request to Withhold Voter Information from Public Information to your county election office, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State. This makes your name and address unavailable to the public, but it will still appear on the list of voters at your polling place on Election Day.

You can also request to deactivate your voter record. Your information will be kept in a private database of voters and is not available to the public and election officials, but you must reregister before voting again.

I’m scared to risk my safety in public while voting. What should I do?

If you’re anxious about going to a polling station, Minnesota offers the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program to those who want to register to vote and existing registered voters. Through this program, all voting is done by absentee ballot through the mail. The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State will assign you a post office box address to use rather than your home address. In order to apply, you must have the assistance of a credentialed victim’s advocate as this program is mainly designated for those facing domestic violence or stalking.

Will ICE or other federal agents be present at polling stations?

There’s no definite answer, but it is not expected to be an issue on Nov. 3 in Minnesota. It is illegal for armed federal officers to be at polling stations. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a press conference on Sept. 17 addressing election safety, that Minnesota has laws in place such as the 100 feet rule that declares voters and election workers are the only people allowed to be within 100 feet of a polling station. Katie Smith, Minneapolis elections director, said at an early voting location in July that they had not heard of any threats and that polling places are safe.

What rights do I have as a Minnesota voter?

Your rights include interpretation requests, accessibility and accommodations. Here are some specifics from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office:

• You have the right to take time off work to vote without losing your pay, personal leave or vacation time.

• You can bring your children with you to vote

• You have the right to vote if you are not currently incarcerated even if you are on probation or parole

• You can vote if you are under guardianship unless a judge rejected your right to vote

What if I don’t have a state ID or driver’s license?

No ID? No problem. There are various ways to prove your state residency to register as a voter.

• Minnesota university, college or technical college ID

• Minnesota high school ID

• A bill with a current address such as phone, internet, water, sewer, rent or mortgage dated within 30 days of an election

• University photo ID with student housing address

• Current student fee statement

You can also bring a registered voter from your precinct to sign an oath confirming your address. A roommate, neighbor, coworker, friend, family member, shelter employee or teacher are among those eligible to vouch. A registered voter can vouch for up to eight people, but you cannot vouch for others if you are being vouched for.

I’m homeless. How do I vote?

You need documented proof of where you are currently residing. If that is not an option, a description of where you are residing or where you sleep at night must be given in written form when you register to vote in-person. If residing outside, you must bring a registered voter from your precinct to vouch for you by signing an oath.

You can also register to vote online up to two months prior to Election Day. Depending on your current living situation, it could be marked as challenged by the county if a street address was not used. This does not prevent you from voting, but you may be asked to swear under oath to ensure the place listed was accurate on Election Day.

I need my ballot translated. How do I vote?

Voting instructions and sample ballots will be available at the polls for the three commonly spoken non-English languages: Spanish, Hmong and Somali. Obtaining voting instructions and materials in other non-English languages may be a bit more difficult. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, if the census recorded 3 percent or more of a county’s population speaking English “less than very well,” a minimum of 10 registered voters may file a request with the secretary of state or their county auditor to have an interpreter at the polling place to provide translation services needed. This form can be found here.

Minnesota State Law, Section 204C.06 Subdivision 2, also lets anyone needing additional assistance with translations to have a designated person with them, but they must be properly identifiable.

I am in a domestic violence situation. How do I vote?

Privacy is the main concern of people facing domestic violence situations. Voting requires sensitive information, such as a home address, to be listed in public voter rolls. This can be avoided, but it requires extra steps to exclude names and addresses from such. A voter seeking privacy for safety concerns must provide a written request to their county’s auditor to register to vote anonymously.

It is recommended that those registering to vote while seeking privacy should attach a written request along with their voter registration application.

Absentee voting is also an option for those who cannot physically go to the polls. For this option, the ballot should be sent to their temporary address, such as a shelter, with their permanent address used to fill out their voter registration. As noted above, Minnesota participates in the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality program, which helps keep sensitive information protected.

Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.