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Greetings! We hope our newsletter serves as a resource for staying connected to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county news and services.
As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or to learn more about how to get involved.
 Election Day is tomorrow
If you're planning to vote early in person
Today is the last day of early voting. All eligible Hennepin County residents can vote early at the Government Center (skyway level). In-person voting is available until 5 p.m. today.
Some cities in Hennepin County offer in-person early voting. Please check with your city office to confirm.
If you're planning to vote on Election Day
Monday is the last day that Hennepin County will offer voting at the Government Center. On Election Day (November 3), please go to your local polling place.
Be sure you know where to find your polling place. Some locations may have changed due to COVID-19 safety precautions.
If you have an absentee ballot
Following last Thursday's federal appeals court decision, Hennepin County is no longer recommending that absentee ballots be returned by mail. Instead, bring completed ballots to a ballot drop-off location. Hennepin County has two locations:
- On the skyway level of the Government Center (300 South 6th St)
- At our drive-thru drop off (625 South 4th Ave; formerly the Thrivent Financial building) - drivers, bikers, and pedestrians welcome!
Ballot drop off is available until 5 p.m. today (Monday) and until 3 p.m. on Election Day.
If you're voting on Election Day, please note that you must follow Minnesota's COVID-19 safety guidelines, including wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance at all times.
- Read a book
- Journal
- Meet with your therapist
- Have a dance party
- Get outdoors
- Exercise
- Make yourself a delightful meal
- Spend some time with friends or family
- Go for a walk
- Watch movie or series
- Do a puzzle
- Take a day off work or take it easy
- Clean, organize or declutter your house
- Listen to calming music or a playlist of your favorite songs
- Call a love one and talk about anything, except the election
 I am excited to announce that Binta Kanteh joined the District 4 office as our new Policy Director on Tuesday, October 27th! We’re happy to have Binta join our team and would like to introduce her to you all! Hope you’ll all join me in welcoming Binta to Hennepin County.
Binta Kanteh holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies concentrating in Immigration and Refugee studies from DePaul University. She was introduced to the Minnesota Legislature through an Internship with the office of now Congresswoman Omar when she was a State Representative. Exposure to the Minnesota House of Representatives created a path to her most recent position as Legislative Assistant to the Majority Leader of the House. Binta recently completed the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Public Policy Fellowship Program. Her extracurricular activities include serving in a leadership position within Women Winning. Binta is a first-generation Gambian-American born and raised in Minnesota. She values the opportunity to work on and develop bi-partisan policy ideas and initiatives that allow our government to progress in working better for the state’s residents. Binta hopes to serve as someone who contributes to vision and the follow through of ideas that center the well-being and humanity of Minnesotans. She is excited to be Policy Director for District 4 and work in partnership with Hennepin County colleagues and constituents!
 Community testing
Hennepin County works in collaboration with communities to provide COVID-19 community testing events in areas with outbreaks, increasing cases, or other barriers to access. Community testing is free and open to everyone.
New Brooklyn Park saliva test site
The Minnesota Department of Health has opened a new saliva test site in Brooklyn Park.
 After a number of twists and turns, the 2020 Census ended on October 15.
- Minnesota ranked first in the nation with a self-response rate of 75.1%.
- Hennepin County came in even higher at 79.4%, which represents a 3.2% increase over 2010.
This success can be attributed to the wide variety of people who worked with residents to complete the census, including Hennepin County cities, school districts and community organizations. The county also hired a team of census engagement specialists who represent historically undercounted communities. Their efforts to connect with people in person was limited, but we found creative ways to use technology and social media to target low response zip codes and even neighborhoods.
What’s next?
The timeline for delivery of data to the President has been impacted by the COVID-19, which caused the census to end about eight weeks later than normal. The U.S. Census Bureau is currently analyzing household data. Once this is done, their report will go to the President and then reapportionment happens.
 Our snowplow operators are used to facing challenges. This year, the challenges have included COVID-19 and the early arrival of winter weather. But with good training, well-defined protocols and a collaborative attitude, our snow and ice removal team will be on top of clearing all 2,200+ lane miles of county roads until spring arrives again.
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1 in 4 11th graders in Hennepin County now use e-cigarettes. Watch this video for tools and facts to open up a conversation with your child about vaping.
Check out these supporting documents while you view and discuss the video:
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November 2020
- Monday, November 2, 1 – 3 p.m.
Operations and Libraries
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Monday, November 16, 1 – 4 p.m.
Administrator Amendments / Commissioner Discussion
December 2020
- Tuesday, December 1, 6 p.m.
County Board holds Truth-in-Taxation public meeting
- Wednesday, December 2, 1 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, December 3, 1 – 4 p.m. (if needed)
Administrator and Commissioner Amendments
- Tuesday, December 15, 1:30 p.m.
County Board approves 2021 budget / levy at regularly scheduled board meeting
Contact us
Angela Conley
Commissioner, 4th District
Binta Kanteh
Policy Director
612-348-5204
Shanese Reed
District Outreach and Scheduler
612-348-3204
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