A Special Election will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2008, to elect a new State Senator for Minnesota District 25, which includes Northfield. All students who are at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in this and all local, state and national elections in Northfield.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called the election to replace Tom Neuville, who resigned his senate seat to take a position as a district court judge.

The candidates facing each other on the ballot will be:

• Ray Cox (Republican)
• Kevin Dahle (Democrat)
• Vance Norgaard (Independence Party)

How to Register
If you have previously registered to vote in Northfield and are living in the same house or building as when you registered, then you are still registered. If you previously registered to vote but now live in a different building, you are required to re-register for the election.

If you are registered to vote in a different location (such as your home state or city), you may still vote in this election. You cannot vote in two different locations for the same election, but registering in Northfield will not prevent you from registering and voting at another polling place next November, as long as you still have a permanent residence there.

To save time at the polls, you can download and print a voter registration application in advance and take the completed form with you to the polling place on election day.

Residency
When you complete the registration form, you must state your residence hall/house and room number (not 300 N College Street). The college has submitted a list of all students living in college residences to local election officials, so those students will not need to provide proof of their residency.

Students who live off-campus (in housing not owned by the College) must provide proof of residence: a Minnesota driver’s license, current utility bill, or some other proof of where you live. See the Minnesota Secretary of State website for an official accepted identification list.

If you don’t have any authorized proof of residency (e.g., your name is not on a utility bill), you can still vote. Another voter who is registered in your precinct can “vouch” for you by signing an oath attesting to your residence in the precinct.

Where to vote
Most students living in campus housing will vote at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 104 Linden Street. Students living in other housing should check the Secretary of State’s Polling Place Finder to determine their polling location.

Campus Activities will provide transportation to polling locations on January 3. A shuttle will depart every 30 minutes from Sayles Hill starting at 11:30 a.m., with the last bus departing at 6:30 p.m. In addition, Carleton Democrats will be providing Dial-a-Ride transportation to and from all points from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students can call 507-222-5619 to schedule a pick-up on Election Day.

Questions: Please contact Kate Spurgeon, Assistant to the Dean of Students, at kspurgeo@acs.carleton.edu or 507-646-4248 (ext. 4248).