Campaign 2008

Avoiding the lines on Election Day

by Tim Nelson, Minnesota Public Radio

Election Day is upon us and you no doubt have questions. Will the lines be long? What if the polling place closes while I'm in line? When are the best times to avoid long lines?

Here are some tips to make Election Day as hassle-free as possible:

• To find your polling place: Call your local elections office or check Minnesota Public Radio.org.
• To try to avoid long lines, vote between the most popular voting hours. Peak voting times are before work in the morning and again in the early evening, after 5 p.m.
• There could be long lines during those peak voting hours, although elections officials have encouraged absentee voting to help reduce congestion in many polling places.
• If you are not registered to vote at your current address, bring proper identification to verify your residence. The lines for same day registration will likely be longer than the lines for registered voters.
• If the polls close before you have cast your ballot, you will be allowed to vote if election judges determine you got in line before 8 p.m.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 11/03/2008, 6:25 p.m.
• Morning Edition, 11/04/2008, 7:25 a.m.