Absentee Voting Underway for Key Rochester-Area Ballot Items

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Early absentee voting is underway ahead of the Nov. 7 election date in the Rochester area and throughout Minnesota. 

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Eligible voters can cast their ballots from now until Nov. 6. Residents can request a ballot online. 

Minnesota law requires absentee voters to have another eligible Minnesota voter or notary present while they fill out their ballot. Although 2023 is considered an off-year election, local voters are still asked to weigh in on several key items. 

Rochester

Earlier this year, the Rochester City Council approved a resolution to ask voters to decide whether or not to extend the city’s half-cent sales tax.

If approved, the extension, which has been in place since the 1980’s, would be in place until it raises $205 million in revenue to fund four major initiatives: an economic vitality fund, street reconstruction, flood control and water quality, and a sports and recreation complex. Rochester City Councilmember Shaun Palmer discussed the vote on a recent episode of KROC-AM's Rochester Today that can be found below.

Another ballot item in the Rochester area is a $10 million technology referendum for the Rochester Public School District. If approved, the funding would go towards upgrading the district’s technology and security.

Both the city and school district have launched information websites regarding their ballot questions. The city’s website is available by clicking here and the school district’s website can be found by clicking here.

Stewartville

Voters in the Stewartville area will also see a bond referendum for their local school district on the ballot in the form of two questions.

If both questions are approved, the more than $60 million raised would cover costs to upgrade security at the entrances to the district’s school, add more instruction space at the middle and high schools, upgrade existing educational space at the high school and the addition of a K-2 education center. 

Completed absentee ballots can be returned by mail or in person to the Olmsted County Elections Office, located at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904. Ballots received after Election Day will not be counted.

Voters wishing to vote absentee in Stewartville can do so at the Stewartville Public Schools District Office, located at 301 2nd Street SW in Stewartville. Election officials are also holding direct balloting days next month.