Minnesota

Upcoming Elections

2024-06-28 – In Person Absentee Ballot Voting

From Fri Jun 28, 2024 to Mon Aug 12, 2024

2024-07-23 – Registration Deadline (Post received by)

Post Received by Tue Jul 23, 2024 5:00PM CDT

2024-07-23 – Registration Deadline (In-Person – Received by)

In-Person, Received by Tue Jul 23, 2024 5:00PM CDT

2024-07-23 – Registration Deadline (Online by)

Online by Tue Jul 23, 2024 11:59PM CDT

2024-08-12 – Ballot Request Deadline

Mon Aug 12, 2024

2024-08-13 – Ballot Return Deadline (Received by)

Received by Tue Aug 13, 2024

2024-08-13 – Ballot Return Deadline (Post received by)

Post Received by Tue Aug 13, 2024 8:00PM CDT

2024-08-13 – Ballot Return Deadline (Hand Delivered by)

Hand Delivered by Tue Aug 13, 2024 3:00PM CDT

2024-08-13 – Registration Deadline (Election Day Registration & Voting)

Election Day Registration & Voting Tue Aug 13, 2024

Last updated: January 2024

Voting in Minnesota

When You Can Vote

The Presidential Primary will be held on March 5, 2024.

Other primary elections will be held on August 13, 2024.

Polling places are usually open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. C.T.

In state and federal elections, towns with fewer than 500 registered voters are not required to open until 10 a.m., but most choose to open at 7 a.m. C.T.

In elections that are only for cities, towns, and/or school districts, polling places located in the metropolitan area do not have to open until 10 a.m. C.T. Those outside the metropolitan area do not have to open until 5 p.m. C.T. However, most choose to open at 7 a.m. C.T.

The metropolitan area includes the counties of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright County.

Where You Can Vote

Voters are required to vote at their assigned polling place. Voters can find their polling place with the Minnesota Polling Place Finder

Voters are entitled to paid time off to vote whether they vote early or on Election Day.

Registering to Vote

Registration Deadlines

  • For registration deadlines, see How to Register below.

How to Check Your Registration: Voters can determine whether they are registered to vote at the following link: Am I Registered?.

You are eligible to vote in Minnesota if you:

  • Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
  • Are a U.S. citizen
  • Live in Minnesota for at least 20 days prior to election day

You are NOT eligible to vote in Minnesota if:

  • You are currently serving a sentence including incarceration, parole, probation, or extended supervision for a felony conviction
  • You were disqualified from voting due to a court order

Agencies or courts in Minnesota have issued opinions that individuals under guardianship DO have the right to vote unless the guardianship decree contains an express order otherwise.

Restorative Requirements

  • If you have completed a felony sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or you have been pardoned, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote

You may preregister to vote in Minnesota

  • At the age of 16 or 17 as long as you will be 18 by the time the next election occurs

To pre-register to vote at 16 or 17 years old in Minnesota, you must be at least 18-years-old when the next election occurs (special, township, state primary, or state general). Because special elections can be called at unexpected times, your application may be returned if an election becomes scheduled in between the date you register and your birthday. If that happens, simply wait until that election passes, and register again.

How to register 

  • Minnesota State Primary
    • Apply Online: Online by Tue Jul 23, 2024 11:59PM CDT
    • Post Received by Tue Jul 23, 2024 5:00PM CDT
    • In-Person, Received by Tue Jul 23, 2024 5:00PM CDT
    • In Person: Election Day Registration & Voting Tue Aug 13, 2024

Online Registration Tool: Register to Vote or Update Your Registration – MNVotes

PDF Registration Forms (various languages available): Minnesota Secretary Of State – Register on paper  

IMPORTANT: Minnesota allows voter registration on Election Day at their polling place with proof of residency.

A person may register to vote in Minnesota if they: 

  • are a citizen of the United States, 
  • are at least 18 years old on Election Day, 
  • has resided in Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately preceding Election Day, 
  • and is not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. 

Voters do not register a party preference.

Voting Early & by Absentee Ballot

If You Want to Vote Absentee, requests may be made:

  • In-Person
  • By Mail
  • By Fax
  • By Email
  • Online

Absentee Ballots may be returned:

  • In-Person
  • By Mail
Minnesota State Primary

Ballot Request:

  • Mon Aug 12, 2024

Ballot Return:

  • Received by Tue Aug 13, 2024
  • Post Received by Tue Aug 13, 2024 8:00PM CDT
  • Hand Delivered by Tue Aug 13, 2024 3:00PM CDT

Link to submit/download an absentee ballot request form: Mail ballot request

Information on where to return absentee ballots (ex. county office look up, drop box locations, etc…)

  • Ballots should be returned to the address on the return envelope by US mail, delivery service, or in person. If there are any questions about the address to return the ballot, voters should contact their county election office. (Find County Election Office).
  • Some voters may return their ballot to a designated ballot drop box. Drop Box locations
  • Ballots may not be delivered to a polling place.

Voters can track mail ballots through the listed link: https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abstatus/index 

Persons with print disabilities can request alternative absentee ballots: Information

Early voting locations

  • All voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person.  To find voting locations and hours, search here: Early voting times and locations
  • Voters may register and vote at an early voting location.
  • Voters are entitled to paid time off to vote whether they vote early or on Election Day.
Identification Requirements

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Minnesota you should provide one of the following:

  • Your Minnesota Driver’s License Number
  • Your Minnesota ID Number

If you do not have these IDs, you may provide:

  • Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number

If you register to vote on Election Day you will need to provide one of the following:

  • Minnesota Learner’s Permit
  • Minnesota ID Card
  • Valid Tribal ID
  • A registered voter from the same precinct who will sign an oath confirming your address
  • Receipt for Driver’s License, Lerner’s permit or ID
  • Valid Student ID accompanied by on-campus housing listing that denotes US Citizenship
  • Valid Minnesota Driver’s License except one issued to an individual that is not a United States citizen
  • A staff person from your residential facility who can confirm your address

If you do not have this form of ID(s), Minnesota will also accept:

  • Valid Tribal ID
  • Valid Student ID
  • Valid US Passport
  • Valid Military ID
  • Veteran’s ID
  • Out of State Driver’s License or Non-driver ID

Together with one of the following:

  • Student Fee Statement
  • Bank, credit card, rent or mortgage statement dated within 30 days of the Election
  • Lease or rent agreement
  • Bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for Phone, TV, internet, solid waste, sewer electric gas or water

Voting In-Person

You do not need to show ID to vote if your registration is current and active. Your registration is considered “current” if you registered at least 21 days before Election Day and haven’t relocated. Your registration is considered “active” if you have voted in the past four years.

A voter needs for online voter registration:

  • MN drivers license or state identification card, or
  • Last four digits of their social security number
  • An email address 

Alternative methods of identification for registering on a paper application or in person can be found here: residency ID

ID Requirements for voter casting their ballot by mail:

  • No additional ID necessary if the voter’s registration is complete and current.
    • NOTE: Voter must use the same ID when filling out their ballot as they used for registration.
  • If voters are not already registered, a voter registration form will be provided along with their absentee ballot. To complete the registration form, voters will need one of the following: a Minnesota driver’s license or Minnesota ID card (voters provide the number), or the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number.
  • A voter will need a witness when they vote and complete their ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary, and the witness must sign the signature envelope and list their address. The voter must show the witness their proof of residence when they fill out the registration form.  

When voting in person:

  • If a voter’s registration is current and active, the voter does not need to present identification at the polling place. (Current means: the voter was successfully registered at least 21 days before Election Day and has not moved or changed names since then.)
  • Minnesota does not offer a free ID option just for voting purposes.

Minnesota does not have provisional ballots.

If You Have Moved Within Your State

If a voter has moved within the same county, they should check the polling place locator to see if their polling place has changed. If so, the voter should proceed to the polling place assigned to the new address. The voter may also change their address and complete their registration online or by mail. If the voter does not complete registration in advance, they will be able to register and vote at the new polling place on Election Day.

  • If the new address is still the same voting location, and the voter has a valid registration at their previous address, the voter only needs to tell the election official their previous name or address – no additional documentation is required.

If a voter has moved between counties, they may change their address and complete their registration online or by mail at least 21 days before the election. If the voter does not complete registration in advance, they will be able to register and vote at the new polling place on Election Day.

For voters who have moved to Minnesota

  • To vote in Minnesota, a voter must live in the state for at least 20 days before Election Day. If the voter meets this requirement, they can register to vote on Election Day.
  • If a voter has lived in Minnesota for fewer than 20 days before Election Day, the voter cannot vote in Minnesota for that election. However, they will be able to cast a presidential absentee ballot.

For voters who have moved away from Minnesota 

  • If a voter moves from Minnesota to another state within 30 days before Election Day, they may not be eligible to vote in their new state.
  • If this happens before a November election with the U.S. president on the ballot, the voter can send a Presidential Absentee Application to the Minnesota county election office of the county the voter last resided in. The voter would then receive a ballot for U.S. President and Vice President.
If You Are in the Military or are an Overseas Voter

Voting Military

Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the federal voter registration/ballot request form (“FPCA”). You will have the following identification options when completing the form:

  • U.S. Passport
  • U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
  • Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number

If you do not have these IDs, leave this section blank.

Voting Overseas

U.S. citizens living overseas may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form. You will have the following identification options when completing the form:

  • U.S. Passport
  • U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
  • Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number

If you do not have these IDs, leave this section blank.

Military and overseas voting processes by mail 

  • Military members serving outside their home precinct and citizens living abroad temporarily or indefinitely can apply to have an absentee ballot sent to them wherever they are in the world.
  • This application may be completed online or downloaded and mailed to the voter’s election office. More information can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website or through the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.

Registering and Requesting an Absentee Ballot 

  • To register to vote and request a ballot for U.S. citizens living outside the country, an individual should fill out the application online or on paper and send it to their election office.

Receiving an Absentee Ballot 

  • After submitting an application, Minnesota will send the individual’s ballot to them at least 45 days before the election. Voters can choose to have their voting materials sent by email, mail, or fax.  
  • The voter should vote and return the ballot as soon as it is received. A voter cannot return their ballot by email or fax.  

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

  • After the ballot is sent, the voter can check if it was received by their election office.
If You Have A Felony Conviction

Individuals with a criminal record are eligible to vote. A criminal record does not affect the right to vote in Minnesota unless an individual is currently incarcerated serving a felony sentence.

A person can vote if:

  • charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor.
  • they are in jail, but not currently serving a felony sentence.
  • they have been charged with a felony but haven’t been convicted.
  • they have been given a stay of adjudication.
  • they have been convicted of a felony but are not currently incarcerated serving a felony sentence.

To regain eligibility 

  • Individuals are able to vote after they are no longer incarcerated serving a felony sentence.
  • If voting rights were lost due to a felony sentence, as soon as a voter is released from incarceration, an individual may register to vote and would then be eligible to vote in Minnesota.
Additional Language Services

Voting information in other languages, including English, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese is available from the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Questions about Voting in Minnesota?

Contact Us