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Here’s what you need to bring with you when applying for your REAL ID:
- One document providing proof of identity and date of birth. This can be an unexpired passport, a certified copy of a birth certificate, or a certified certificate of citizenship. You may also need a certified marriage certificate if your name is different than on your birth certificate.
- Proof of a social security number. This can be your Social Security card, a Federal W2, or a paystub with your name, address, and Social Security Number.
- Two documents providing proof of Minnesota residency. This can be many documents, but the most commonly used ones are an unexpired current driver’s license, a credit card or bank statement from the last 90 days, a federal or state income tax return from the recent filing year, or a utility bill that does not have another name beside your own on it.
You can find more information about REAL ID, including a complete breakdown of acceptable documents to bring when applying, here.
Minnesota Presidential Primary
Voting in Minnesota’s Presidential Primary has already begun! Though our state’s presidential primary day is on March 3 (Super Tuesday), early absentee ballots are now available for those who are ready to be some of the first in the nation to cast their presidential primary vote.
A presidential primary is different from our past years of being a caucus state. Here are some FAQs on the changes for Minnesota this year:
- Will all parties be on the same ballot?
- No, each major party will have a separate ballot, with voters choosing one party.
- Will there be a place to write in a choice or vote for “uncommitted”?
- If it is requested by the party chair. Party chairs will need to submit names of write-in candidates to be counted seven days before the primary.
- Will any other offices be on the ballot?
- No, only presidential candidates from a major party will appear on the presidential primary ballot. Other offices with a primary will be on the primary ballot in August.
- Will parties have to abide by the primary results?
- The presidential primary results must bind the election of delegates in each party.
- Will there still be precinct caucuses?
- Yes, precinct caucuses and local and state nominating conventions will still take place to conduct other party business.
- Will other people know which party’s ballot I request?
- A voter’s choice of party ballot will be recorded and is private data. However, under current law, a list of who voted in a presidential nomination primary and the political party each voter selected will be provided to the chair of each major political party. How a voter voted on the ballot will be secret.
I understand that many have questions and concerns on that last point, and I shared my concerns when we debated the change to Minnesota’s Presidential Primary in 2016, which you can watch here. I'm working with Secretary of State Steve Simon and a bipartisan group of legislators to pass a bill this session that would better secure ballot data while also allowing voters to opt out of sharing their information. If you have any questions about Minnesota’s presidential primary, or voting in general, I highly encourage you to contact the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State at mnvotes.org or 1-877-600-VOTE to make sure your voice is heard.
2020 Census
In March and April of this year, the U.S. Census Bureau will be sending information to every home in the state on how to be properly counted in the 2020 Census. The census provides critical data that directly impacts our community’s representation and support, with billions of dollars in federal funding going to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. It’s important that you and your household are accurately counted. You can click here to download a fact sheet with more information, or here to watch a short video.
Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau needs to fill thousands of temporary positions to conduct the census, including in our community. These positions are crucial to an effective census, and provide flexible hours and competitive wages. You can find more information on census jobs here.
Stay In Touch!
We’ll be holding a Town Hall on Saturday, February 22, from 9:30-11am at the New Hope City Hall to discuss our community’s goals for this year’s legislative session. Be sure to mark your calendars, and I’ll keep you updated as we get closer. Regardless of whether you’ll be able to join us, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or solutions you may have. As always, you can reach me at rep.mike.freiberg@house.mn and at (651) 296-4176. I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Mike Freiberg
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