If you vote by mail ....

You would have to not own a television to not know that a Presidential election is a few days away.  Personally, I know how I am going to vote, and am already tired of political commercials.  Minnesota is apparently a battleground state, so I suppose we can expect the deluge of ads to continue until November 2.  If you want to talk politics, call me and we can discuss.  But I am trying to keep this post non-political. And when voting, remember that there are a lot of contests on the ballot in addition to the election of a President. My sample ballot has elections for: 21 Judges, school board, mayor, city council, soil and water district, state representative, state senator, US representative, US senator, and the President.

I know that many people will be voting by mail/absentee.

If you choose to vote by mail, you may want to verify that your ballot was received.

The Minnesota Secretary of State office has a "check your ballot" page.  Here is the link:

https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx

Still time to get $1200 stimulus payment

 I received teh following email from the National Consumer Law Center:

Help needed to reach 12 million non-tax-filers facing September 30 and October 15 deadlines to claim their stimulus payment!

Dear friends and allies, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided economic impact payments to individuals up to $1,200 to help dampen the impact of the economic fallout of COVID-19. Most people have already received their payments via direct deposit, check, or prepaid debit cards.  But 12 million people who desperately need and are eligible for the stimulus payments could miss out unless they take action by October 15 – and we need your help to reach them.  This group of people, who do not typically file tax returns, includes very low-income families with children, people who have been disconnected from work opportunities for a long period, and many low-income adults not raising children in their home. A simple IRS form they may not know about now stands between them and their much-needed stimulus funds. Please help spread the word by alerting people to fill out the IRS’s “Non-Filers” Form.  Additionally, the IRS is extending to September 30, 2020 the deadline for recipients of Social Security, federal disability benefits, and other benefits – who have already received their individual payment – to apply for an additional $500 for each qualifying child.

Take action to spread the word about the September 30 and October 15, 2020 deadlines for non-filers to complete the IRS form to receive their Economic Impact Payment.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has just issued a new analysis on the estimated 12 million people who are eligible for Economic Impact Payments (EIP) but who must file an online form with the IRS by October 15 to claim the funds this year or must file a 2020 tax return next year to receive it in 2021. The paper provides demographic information, state by state numbers, and suggestions for steps that states, as well as community and legal service providers, can take to help the most vulnerable individuals claim the substantial economic stimulus payment.  Action Item Spread the word in your program and communities. CBPP has developed resources to support EIP outreach work including flyers, press release templates, FAQs, and additional outreach tools.  Please also spread the word that people who received an EIP prepaid card should activate it or replace it to receive their money. More information Center for Budget and Policy Priorities: Aggressive State Outreach Can Help Reach the 12 Million Non-Filers Eligible for Stimulus Payment IRS takes new steps to ensure people with children receive $500 Economic Impact Payments Center for Budget and Policy Priorities: Stimulus Payments Outreach Resources NCLC: IRS Sending Letters About Unactivated Stimulus Prepaid Cards NCLC: The EIP Stimulus Payment Prepaid Card: Not a Scam; How to Avoid Fees (sample card and mailer) NCLC's COVID-19 website (continually updated) has extensive information on responses to the crisis, including state-by-state information on orders that have been issued. We hope you are staying healthy and thank you for joining us to ensure those most in need of Economic Impact Payments receive them.