Our Vote Our Voice

Early Voting

ABSENTEE VOTING OR VOTE BY MAIL OPTIONS

To vote by mail, apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to you. You do not need to be registered to apply.

VOTE EARLY IN PERSON

You can vote early with an absentee ballot at your local elections office. If you are not registered, you can do so in person if you show proof of residence.

Locations

All voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person with an absentee ballot. Depending on where you live, there may be additional locations.

1. You can vote in person at your county election office.

2. In addition to your county election office, some cities and towns offer in-person absentee voting. Check with your city clerk's office for more information.

Hours

For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during their normal business hours starting 46 days before the election. In addition, locations offering absentee ballots for federal, state or county elections must be open:

• The last Saturday before Election Day (10 a.m. — 3 p.m.)

• The day before Election Day until 5 p.m.

• This does not apply to school districts holding standalone elections. 

Some local jurisdictions may provide additional absentee voting days or hours beyond the above required days and times. Call your jurisdiction for more information.

2020 Early Voting Dates

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PRIMARY

First day to vote early in person: Friday, January 17

Last day to vote early in person: Monday, March 2

PRIMARY ELECTION

First day to vote early in person: Friday, June 26

Last day to vote early in person: Monday, August 10

GENERAL ELECTION

First day to vote early in person: Friday, September 18

Last day to vote early in person: Monday, November 2

Have an agent pick up your ballot (agent delivery)

In special situations, you may ask an agent to pick up and return an absentee ballot for you. This is called ‘agent delivery.’  Read more about agent delivery

To qualify for agent delivery, you must live in a:

• nursing home

• assisted living facility

• residential treatment center

• group home

• battered women's shelter

• or, be hospitalized or unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or a disability.

Your agent must be at least 18 years old, have a pre-existing relationship with you and cannot be a candidate. An individual cannot be an agent of more than three voters in an election. The agent must show identification with their name and signature when returning a ballot.

Give your agent a completed absentee ballot application and a request for agent delivery of absentee ballot form. Have your agent take both forms to the local election office to receive your ballot.

Your agent can pick up your ballot starting seven days before the election until 2 p.m. on Election Day. Your agent or someone else you designate must return your ballot by 3 p.m. on Election Day. You can also return your ballot by mail. Your returned ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day (August 11, 2020) and received by your county by the day before the county canvass, which may take place on the second or third day following the election.

Register to Vote Early In Person

Who can vote in Minnesota

You must be:A U.S. citizenAt least 18 years old on Election DayA resident of Minnesota for 20 daysFinished with all parts of any felony sentenceYou can vote while under guardianship unless a judge specifically has revoked your right to vote.You cannot vote if a court has ruled that you are legally incompetent.
Registering to vote for 17-year-olds:To pre-register to vote at 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.

Register online

It's quick and easy! You will need your Minnesota driver’s license or Minnesota identification card number, or the last four numbers of your Social Security number.

Register on paper

Download and print forms in English and other languages. Use these forms to register yourself or to register others in a voter registration drive.

Register on Election Day

You can register or update your registration when you vote, whether that is at your polling place on Election Day or at an early voting location. You will need proof of residence to register. Learn more about registering when you vote.

Check my registration

You can see if you are registered at your current address.

Need Help?

Call 1-877-600-VOTE (8683)

REGISTER ON PAPER

Where to return your application

Mail or drop off your application to either your county election office, or mail to:

Secretary of State 
60 Empire Dr., Suite 100
Saint Paul, MN 55103

county election office hours

For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during their normal business hours starting 46 days before the election.

• The last Saturday before Election Day (10 a.m. — 3 p.m.)

• The day before Election Day until 5 p.m.

• This does not apply to school districts holding standalone elections. 

Register to Vote on Election Day

REGISTER ON ELECTION DAY

To register at your polling place on Election Day, bring one proof of residence listed below.

1 ID with current name and address

• Valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID; or a receipt for any of these.

• Tribal ID with name, address, photo and signature.

2 Approved documents

Can be shown on electronic device.

• Bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for:

  • Phone, TV or internet, Solid waste, sewer, electric, gas or water, Banking or credit card, Rent or mortgage.

• Residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day or Current student fee statement

Voter Rights - Registering to Vote

Who can vote in Minnesota. You must be:

• A U.S. citizen

• At least 18 years old on Election Day

• A resident of Minnesota for 20 days

• Finished with all parts of any felony sentence

You can vote while under guardianship unless a judge specifically has revoked your right to vote.

Vital Questions

I HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD

Your criminal record does not affect your right to vote in Minnesota unless you are currently serving a felony conviction sentence, including probation, parole or supervised release.

Voting after a felony conviction

You can vote after you finish all parts of your sentence, including any probation, parole, or supervised release.

As soon as you finish (once you are ‘off-paper’), you can vote. You will need to register to vote. It is best to register before Election Day, but it is not required. 

Print a factsheet on this topic

Download Voting with a Criminal Record factsheet.

I'M IN A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY

If you live in a residential facility and you need to register to vote, you can register online, on paper, or a staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address.

What is a residential facility?

Residential facilities include:

• Assisted-living facilities

• Battered women’s shelters

• Group residential housing

• Homeless shelters

• Nursing homes

• Residential alcohol and chemical treatment programs

• Residential facilities for persons with developmental disabilities

• Supervised-living facilities

• Transitional housing

• Veterans’ homes

Need Help?

Call 1-877-600-VOTE (8683)

Need Help?

Call 1-877-600-VOTE (8683)

VOTING DAY POLL HOURS

State and federal elections 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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

Need to register on Election Day?

Need Help?

Call 1-877-600-VOTE (8683)

VOTING DAY POLL HOURS

State and federal elections 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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

Need to register on Election Day?

In Minnesota, you can register or update your registration at your polling place on Election Day. Find out what you'll need to bring with you.

Download Election Day Registration factsheet.

I’M LIVING TEMPORARILY IN MINNESOTA

You cannot vote in Minnesota if you are only living here temporarily. However, you can still vote in your home state’s election with an absentee ballot. 

To learn how to vote in your home state, visit Can I Vote? from the National Association of Secretaries of State.

As a voter in Minnesota, you have many rights

Know your rights

• Have Time off work to vote

• You have a right to take time off work to vote without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time.

• Vote if in line by 8 p.m. You have the right to vote if you are in line to vote anytime before 8 p.m.

• Register on Election day: You have the right to register to vote on Election Day if you can show the required

• Sign in orally: You have the right to orally confirm who you are and to ask another person to sign for you if you cannot sign your name. Ask for help

• You have the right to ask anyone for help, except for an agent of your employer or union, or a candidate.

• Bring children to the polls: You have the right to bring your children with you to vote.

• You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence your vote.

• Get a replacement ballot: You have the right to a replacement ballot if you make a mistake on your ballot before you cast it.