Minnesota

The Presidential Primary was held on March 5, 2024.

Minnesota State primary elections will be held on August 13, 2024.

Polling places are usually open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. C.T. For specific information on when a polling place is open contact your County Election Offices

In state and federal elections, towns with fewer than 500 residents 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. 

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

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

Early voting sites are generally at county election offices. Early Voting times and places

Note: Every voter is encouraged to check their polling place before heading out to vote. Polling places are not permanent, and their locations can change.

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

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 prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation, 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 

Automatically: MN residents will now be automatically registered to vote when they apply for or renew a drivers license, state ID card, or for certain MN benefits and services. 

Online: MN residents can complete this online form to register or to update the their registration: Register to Vote or Update Your Registration

On-line registration requires a Minnesota Driver’s license or state ID card, or the last four digits of a social security number, and an email address. 

Paper Registration Forms (various languages available): A voter can download and fill out this Application: Register on paper  

Voters can also get copies of the paper form by calling their county election office. The paper forms allow a voter to declare that they do not have a driver’s license, state ID, or social security number. 

Once complete, voters need to mail to or drop off the application at the voter’s county election office or the Minnesota Secretary of State so that it is received no later than 21 days before the election. (October 15, 2024 for the general election, July 23, 2024 for the August primary.)

Alternative forms for voter’s with print disabilities:  Call 1-877-600-8683 for assistance or visit Large Print, Braille, other

IMPT: MN allows voter registration at early voting sites and on Election Day at their polling place with proof of residency

A person may register to vote in Minnesota if the person: 

• is a citizen of the United States, 
• is 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;
  • declared legally incompetent by a court of law, or
  • under a court ordered guardianship where the ward’s right to vote has been revoked. 

Note: MN voters do not register a party preference.

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

Early Voting

A person may register and vote at an early voting location or by mail.

By Mail:  To vote early by mail, follow the Absentee Ballot instructions below for requesting and returning your absentee ballot by mail.

In Person:  To vote early in person, you can register and/or vote at an early voting location. To find voting locations and hours, search 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.
• Voters who are already registered do not need to show any additional identification.  If a voter is not registered, they can register and vote at the same time if they show proof of residence. 
• Voters who need assistance for physical or language difficulties may bring someone to assist them while voting, or they can get assistance from election judges. 

Requesting an Absentee Ballot:

Voters do not need to be registered to vote in order to request an Absentee Ballot and there are several ways to request the ballots:

Online: Complete this Online Absentee Application to request an absentee ballot.

PDF Forms: Download and fill out this Absentee Application. Once complete, return the application to your county election office by mail, fax, or email. Voters can also get paper forms from their county election offices.

Alternative Forms for Persons with Print Disabilities: Call 1-877-600-8683 to request an accessible absentee ballot. 

Automatic Absentee Ballot: Absentee ballots will be automatically sent to:

• voters who had previous status as  an ongoing absentee voter, or 
• who apply to a county auditor or municipal clerk to automatically receive an absentee ballot before each election, or 
• who have requested permanent absentee voter status through their original or updated voter registration application. 

Deadline: The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is the day before Election Day. However, voters should submit their application in advance to allow time for election officials to mail the absentee ballot to the applicant ballot. 

Returning an Absentee Ballot

Voters have several ways to return their completed absentee ballots. 

In-Person: To return an absentee ballot in-person, drop the completed ballot off at the election office that sent it. Voters may return their absentee ballot to a ballot drop box if their county or city has a secure drop box location(s). Voters cannot return an absentee ballot to a polling place. 

Deadline: Absentee ballots must be returned in-person either before Election Day or on Election Day until 8 p.m. C.T. Absentee ballots will not be counted if they are received after Election Day. 

By Mail: To return an absentee ballot by mail, send the completed ballot to the listed return address (county election office), either by mail or package delivery service (UPS, Fedex, etc.). It must be RECEIVED on or before Election Day.

Agent Delivery

In certain circumstances, a voter may have an agent pick-up and return their absentee ballot for them. To see if you qualify for agent pick-up delivery, consult this list of qualifying circumstances and statuses.

An agent can be anyone of the voter’s choosing who

• is at least 18 years old on Election Day, 
• has a pre-existing relationship with the voter, and
• is not a candidate up for election. 

A person cannot be an agent for more than three voters per election. 

Picking-Up a Ballot: To receive a ballot for a voter, an agent must have with them two forms completed by the voter: an Absentee Ballot Application and a Request for Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballot. 

Deadline: An agent can pick-up an absentee ballot for a voter starting seven days before Election Day, at the voter’s local election office until 8 p.m. C.T.

Returning a Ballot: To return an absentee ballot for a voter, an agent will need to present identification with their name and signature.

Deadline: An agent must return the absentee ballot to the voter’s local election office either before Election Day or on Election Day until 8 p.m. C.T. Absentee ballots will not be counted if they are received after Election Day.

Note: An absentee ballot that was picked-up by an agent is not required to be returned by an agent. A voter can choose to return their absentee ballot by mail, and in this case the rules stated above regarding returning an absentee ballot by mail apply. 

Tracking Your Ballots: Voters can track certain ballots through the Ballot Tracker. 

County Election Offices: Voters can find contact and location information for their county/local election office by consulting this website: Find County Election Office.

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

Persons with print disabilities can request alternative absentee ballots: Information

Early voting locations

• All voters have at least one location where they can vote an absentee ballot early in person.  To find voting locations and hours, search here: Early voting times and locations

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.

Voting in Person:

Voters who have current voter registration do not need additional ID either when voting early or on Election Day.

Voters who register at the polling place will need a photo ID and proof of residence. There are many options:

• Government ID: A valid MN driver’s license, MN learner’s permit, MN state ID card; or a receipt for one of them; or a tribal ID card with the voter’s name, address, photo, and signature.
• A combination of a photo ID and a document with a current address from these ID lists.
• Students: Colleges and universities that enroll students accepting state financial aid must send election officials a student housing list that serves as their proof of residence. They may use a college ID, or any other photo ID from ID lists.  (More information for students: Here)

Absentee Voting by Mail:

• To cast a ballot by mail, no additional ID is necessary if the voter’s registration is complete and current.
  • NOTE: Voters 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, and an email address.
• A voter will need a witness when they vote and complete their absentee 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.  

Minnesota does not have provisional ballots.

Moving within Minnesota.

Voters will need to re-register if their name or address changes.  See below for more details.

Within the Same County

If a voter has moved within the same county, they should check the polling place locator to see if their polling place has changed.

Change in Polling Place: The voter should go to the polling place assigned to the new address. A voter may also change their address and complete their registration online or by mail up to 21 days before Election Day. If the voter does not register in advance, they will be able to register and vote at the new polling place on Election Day.

No Change in Polling Place:  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.

Between Counties.

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 OR they can register and vote at the new polling place on Election Day. 

Between States.

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 a full ballot in Minnesota for that election. However, they will be able to cast a presidential absentee ballot.

Voters who have moved out of Minnesota 

• If a voter moves to another state fewer than 30 days before Election Day, they may not be eligible to vote in their new state.  Voters should consult the laws of the state in which they now reside.
• If a voter moves within 30 days before a presidential election, 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.

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, plus spouses and dependents of such military members, and citizens living abroad temporarily or indefinitely can apply to have an absentee ballot sent to them wherever they are in the world.

Registering and Requesting an Absentee Ballot 

An individual can fill out the applications online or on paper and send them to their election office. They may request the voting materials be sent to them by email, mail or fax. However, emailed or faxed materials must be printed and returned to the election office by mail. Voters cannot return their ballots by email or fax. The application for a ballot also serves as a voter registration application. 

To ensure address information remains up-to-date, voters should reapply each year and after a change in address. See Deadlines and suggested timelines. 

More information can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website or through the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.

Receiving an Absentee Ballot 

The voter should complete and return the ballot as soon as possible after it is received. A voter cannot return their ballot by email or fax. Overseas and military voters do not need to have a witness when they vote their ballots.

Tracking Your Ballot Status: 

 If an individual requested a ballot but did not receive it, the voter may track their ballot here or contact their election office to ask about the status of their ballot request.

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

If a military or overseas voter requested a ballot and did not receive it in time to complete and return it before the election, a voter may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) which works like a backup ballot. After the ballot is sent, the voter can check if it was received by checking the Ballot Tracker  or calling their election office

Right to Vote & Eligibility

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 (in any state) but are not currently incarcerated serving a felony sentence.
• they have been convicted of a felony but are currently on probation or parole, or are currently on work release.

Regaining eligibility 

Individuals are entitled to register and vote after they complete incarceration for a felony.