Minnesota makes it easy to vote well before Election Day, through either early in-person voting or absentee voting by mail. Both options open 46 days before Election Day, giving voters a wide window to cast a ballot on their own schedule.
Any registered Minnesota voter can request an absentee ballot; the state doesn't require an excuse. Ballots can be returned by mail, dropped off at a designated ballot drop box, or delivered in person to your county or city election office.
However you return it, your ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Being postmarked on that date isn't enough. So, if you're voting by mail, it's worth sending your ballot back well before the deadline or tracking it to confirm it arrived on time.
Speaking of which, Minnesota offers absentee ballot tracking, so you can confirm your ballot was received and accepted rather than wondering whether it made it through the mail. Voters who want to receive an absentee ballot automatically for every future election can also sign up for Minnesota's permanent absentee voter list.
How Does Election Day Voting Work in Minnesota?
If you'd rather vote in person on Election Day itself, polling places across Minnesota are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you're in line by 8 p.m., state law guarantees you the right to vote, even if that means the line runs past closing time.
Whether you need to show ID depends on your registration status. If you're already registered and your information is current, you generally won't need to show ID to vote. If you're registering for the first time, updating your registration, or registering same-day at the polls,
Minnesota polling places are required to be accessible, offer ballot-marking equipment, and provide language assistance where needed. If you have questions about accommodations at your specific polling place, your county elections office can help ahead of time.