Minnesota | Voting Guide

Voting Guide

Minnesota

Registration Deadlines and Election Dates

Voter Registration Deadline: 21 days before Election Day. Paper applications must be received by 5 p.m. and online registrations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.

Eligible voters can also register and cast a ballot at the same time when they vote early in person or on Election Day at their polling place. If you apply for a mail ballot but are not registered to vote, election officials will send you a registration form with your mail ballot as well. For more information on same-day registration, please visit: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/

You must have resided in Minnesota for at least 20 days as of Election Day to register and vote in Minnesota.

2024 Election Information

Presidential Primary: March 5, 2024

Voter Registration Deadline: February 13
Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: March 4

Primary Election: August 13, 2024

Voter Registration Deadline: July 23
Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: August 12

General Election: November 5, 2024

Voter Registration Deadline: October 15
Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: November 4

Official Election Websites

More election information at:

mnvotes.org

Online voter registration available at:

mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationMain.aspx

Mail-in PDF voter registration form available at:

sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-paper/

Register at School or Home

Students have a decision about where to register to vote.

You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family's home or the place where you attend school. You should update your registration anytime this home address changes.

You may only be registered and vote in one location.

What Type of ID Do I Need to Register?

Paper and Online Registration: The online and paper registration forms ask for your Minnesota driver’s license or ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Election Day Registration: If you choose to register on Election Day, you will need to show proof of address and identification.

Options to prove residency and identification include:

Showing an ID with your current name and address, such as: a valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, or state ID, or a tribal ID with name, address, photo, and signature,
Showing a current or expired photo ID and a paper or digital document with your current address.
Having a registered voter from your precinct vouch for you and confirm your address by signing an oath (Note: A registered voter can vouch for up to eight voters. You cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for you).
Showing college student ID if your college has provided a student housing list
If you registered to vote within 20 days of Election Day, you may get a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. If you do not appear on the rolls, you can use that as your proof of residence to register.

Acceptable Photo IDs include:

A driver’s license, learner’s permit, or state ID issues from any state;
U.S. passport;
US Military or Veteran’s ID;
Tribal ID with name, signature and photo; or
Minnesota high school, university, college or technical college ID.

Acceptable documents showing residency include:

A 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;
A student fee statement that contains the student’s valid address in the precinct, along with picture identification.
A residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day; and current student fee statements

A full list of acceptable forms of proof can be found at:

sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-election-day/

What Type of ID Do I Need to Vote?

Minnesota voters with current and active voter registrations do not need to show ID before voting.

Where Do I Vote?

Make a plan. Look up your voting site and hours at:

pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/

How Can I Vote?

By Mail: Any Minnesota voter may vote by mail. You do not need to be registered to vote to request a mail ballot; if you request a mail ballot and are not registered, your election official will send you a voter registration form with your mail ballot materials.

You may request an absentee ballot using either a paper application or an online application. If you apply for an absentee ballot online, you must provide an email address and a Minnesota-issued driver’s license or ID card number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: Mail ballot applications must be submitted online or received by your local election office by the day before Election Day. Please be sure to give yourself enough time to receive the ballot in the mail and to return it by the deadline.
Completed Mail-in Ballot Return Deadline: Mail ballots returned in person must be delivered to your local elections office and received no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. Mail ballots returned by mail must be received by your local elections office by Election Day. Your completed ballot envelope must be witnessed and signed by a registered Minnesota voter or notarized.

Online Absentee Ballot Application:

mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx

Printable Absentee Ballot Application:

sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-by-mail/

Track your Absentee Ballot at:

mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx

Early In-person: All Minnesota voters may vote an absentee ballot in person beginning 46 days before Election Day or during early voting in the office of the county auditor or other established polling places during the 18 days before election day. County elections offices serve as early voting locations during their normal business hours. Cities and towns may provide additional early voting locations as well. Contact your local elections officials regarding early vote locations and hours.

For more information about early voting in Minnesota, visit:

sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-in-person/

Election Day: Voting sites for most cities and towns will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. For towns with less than 500 registered voters, polls are not required to open until 10 a.m., though most open at 7 a.m. Contact your election officials for polling hours. If you are in line by the closing time, then you have the right to vote.

Common Questions/Concerns

Does Registering to Vote Affect my Federal Financial Aid?

Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA.

Does Registering to Vote Affect my Status as a Dependent on My Parents’ Taxes?

Being registered to vote at a different address from your parents does not prevent them from claiming you as a dependent on their taxes.

Does Registering to Vote impact my Tuition Status?

Being deemed out-of-state for tuition purposes does not prevent you from choosing to register to vote in your campus community.

Will registering to vote in Minnesota affect my driver’s license or car registration?

Registering to vote in Minnesota may not necessarily affect your driver's license or car registration. However, as a new resident of Minnesota, you may be required to make changes to your driver's license or car registration regardless of whether you register to vote there. You may wish to contact the Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety Division of Driver and Vehicle Services for more information.

Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed Minnesota legal professional.

Last updated March 2024