Hubby and I recently changed our address… again. First, we left Arizona in early spring, moving to Minnesota to live with one of my sons until we sold the house. The whole process was a mail nightmare, relevant here only because it might have impacted our ability to vote, even lenient as MN is in that regard. Things sent directly to the new temporary address got lost, never to arrive, and we spent months looking for work-arounds, especially when it involved, say, copies of documentation needed to prove identity, (originals having been “thoughtfully” packed up and beyond access), or checks due to us.
Once the house sold, we could purchase our new residence, one we fell in love with months earlier. New mail forwarding instructions were sent out for both former addresses, fingers crossed. We both plan on this being our permanent residence, our last residence. Given our ages,we figure it’s a ballpark of about 10 years here. It was time to get serious about all the legalities of changing states. These included drivers and vehicle licenses. Insurance changes were made, possible mid year because of the move. Our financial institutions and all others who needed it were given the new, functioning address. The one I kept in the back of my mind of course was voter registration.
Our timing when leaving Arizona worked out differently for both of us. Hubby got his mailed primary ballot just before we left, in time for him to vote. I never received one, couldn’t vote. We both should be eligible to vote in the Minnesota primary in the fall, always presuming we either became officially registered, or had the documentation to prove residency. With our previous mail issues, I was sweating the latter. If no mail arrived with our address on it, how could we prove that’s where we lived? I still haven’t seen a utility bill for the new home, due to complicated reasons which I’m working on, but those are one of the things election judges look for as proof of residency with Minnesota’s “Motor-Voter” law, in case you’re not registered for where you live yet.
When it came time to finally submit the permanent change of address forms, 2 each for each of us, there was a box to check if we wished to change our voting registration. Yes! Of course! We even had time now before the election to get drivers licenses with the permanent address on them as well, another bit of proof if needed. Hubby and I are still getting treated differently in that regard, this time in my favor. I have my new driver’s license. It came a couple weeks ago. Hubby is still waiting. As he’s getting his other mail here, we’re not too worried. Sometimes it can take a while, we’re told. He’s hanging tight to his paper full-page version until his comes.
Yesterday’s mail brought each of us both some welcome news: we’re officially registered to vote here. (It does inform us most importantly that if we dispute that fact, for any of a list of reasons including being a currently incarcerated felon, to let them know immediately.) According to them, this had nothing to do with the box checked on our change of mail address forms, but with our new driver’s license applications. I guess I have to be thankful that at least one government agency is paying attention to getting new voters.
I recognize there are many states where shenanigans are happening to find bogus reason to cancel people’s voter registrations. I just want to remind people to check on theirs, and if necessary keep checking. Find out what documentation you need to prove you are still you, live where you live, have status to vote. It’s more important than ever this year! Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors, and encourage them to do the same.
Then the most important part: VOTE!!!!!