Voting Matters - Make Your Voice Heard!
Your vote is your voice! Learn more about upcoming elections, how to register, and how to get non-partisan assistance.
MNvotes.gov: Secretary of State - Elections & Voting
Last Updated November 2024
Election Information
Polls Open 7am to 8pm
Towns with less than 500 residents may choose to open between 7am and 10am
Ballots in Vote-By-Mail cities or towns must be returned by 8pm
Absentee Ballots must be received or dropped off by 8pm
Voter Registration
Minnesota Voter Registration Information
Voter Registrations in advance must be received 3 weeks before Election Day.
You can still register to vote at an Early Voting site or on Election Day at your polling place with proof of identification and residency.
You can register to vote:
- Online up to 3 weeks before Election Day
- By Paper returned by mail or in-person to your county election office, received 3 weeks before Election Day
- At an Early Voting Site with proof of residency
- On Election Day with proof of residency
Safe At Home Address Confidentiality Program allows people who fear for their safety to be assigned a PO box that can be used as your legal address when registering to vote.
Check Your Voter Registration Status
Absentee/Vote-By-Mail Ballots
Eligible Minnesota voters can request an absentee ballot without needing a reason for federal, state, and county elections. Some cities with fewer than 400 voters and townships of any size may choose to hold entirely vote-by-mail elections, with mail ballots sent to all registered voters and without traditional election day polling places.
Absentee Ballot Online Application
2024 Absentee Ballot Print Application, March 5th Presidential Primary
2024 Absentee Ballot Print Application, All Other State/Local Elections
You can request an absentee ballot up until 1 day before an election. However, if you are requesting an absentee ballot within 2 weeks of an election, it is highly recommended you go to an Early Voting site or go to your County Election Office in-person.
You can sign up to automatically receive an absentee ballot application in the mail before each election. Applications will be mailed at least 60 days before an election. As of June 2024, Voters in Minnesota can apply for Permanent Absentee Voter Status to receive a mail ballot automatically without needing to fill out the application, to be sent at least 46 days before every regularly scheduled election. Contact your County Election Office for more information.
Track Your Absentee or Mail Ballot
Cast Your Vote
You can cast your vote in Minnesota:
- Absentee/Mail-In Ballot, Returned By Mail using the supplied stamped envelope. Your name, address, and ID number must match the absentee application, you must sign the envelope, and you must have a witness complete the witness portion of your absentee ballot. Your ballot must arrive by 8pm on Election Day to be counted. Within 1 week of an election it is highly recommended you drop off your ballot to ensure it arrives in time.
- Absentee/Mail-In, Dropped Off at the elections office that sent the ballot during business hours or deposited in a secure drop box. You may only return your ballot to a drop box in the county or city you live in. Ballots must be returned by 8pm on Election Day. Your name, address, and ID number must match the absentee application, you must sign the envelope, and you must have a witness complete the witness portion of your absentee ballot.
- Absentee Ballot, In-Person Early Voting. You can obtain and cast an absentee ballot in-person before Election Day at Early Voting sites. You can also register to vote with proof of residency and cast your absentee ballot on the same day. For most elections, early absentee voting locations must be open during normal business hours starting 46 days before an election, the Saturday before Election Day from 9am to 3pm, and the day before Election Day until 5pm. Some counties and cities have additional in-person absentee voting locations, days, and hours. Contact your County Election Office for more information.
- At Your Polling Place on Election Day unless you live in a vote-by-mail jurisdiction.
Absentee Ballots must be signed by a witness. A witness can be anyone registered to vote in Minnesota (including a spouse or relative), a notary public (who must affix their stamp), or an official with the authority to administer oath. Minnesota voter witnesses must print their name and Minnesota street address (not a PO Box). Notary or officials must print their title instead of an address.
If you requested an absentee ballot that was lost, damaged, or wish to vote in person you can cast your vote at an early voting location or at your polling place on Election Day (as long as your absentee ballot hasn't been returned and counted). You do not need to bring your absentee ballot with you.
Voter identification is not required to vote in Minnesota unless you need to register, update your information, have not voted in four years or more, or registered to vote within 3 weeks of Election Day. If your registration is not current or you need to update your information, you need to show proof of residency. You can do so with a Photo ID (which can be expired) and document with current address (paper or electronic), an eligible person vouching for your identity (in-district fellow voter or residential facility staff person), your college ID if you are on a student housing list, or by bringing your Notice Of Late Registration if you registered within the past 21 days.
Voting Questions or Problems
Minnesota Voting Rights Information - 866ourvote.org
You have the right to vote! If you have questions, problems, or experience difficulties or harassment registering to vote or casting your ballot, contact the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline for assistance or to report a concern:
- English - 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
- Spanish - 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
- Arabic - 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
- Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali - 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
- Text Chat Assistance - 866ourvote.org
