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Minnesota
Voting Guide
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.
You may also register when you vote early in person or on Election Day at your polling place. Alternatively, 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.
You must have resided in Minnesota for at least 20 days as of Election Day to register and vote in Minnesota.
2022
Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline: August 9
Primary Election: August 9
General Election Voter Registration Deadline: October 18
General Election: November 8
Official Election Websites
More election information at:
Online voter registration available at:
https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationMain.aspx
Printable voter registration form available at:
https://www.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?
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.
If you choose to register on Election Day, you will need to show proof of address and identification. A full list of acceptable forms of proof can be found at:
https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-election-day/.
Options 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 residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day; and current student fee statements
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:
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 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 ballot applications must be submitted online or received by your local election office by the day before Election Day, but be sure to give yourself enough time to receive the ballot in the mail and to return it by the deadline.
Online Absentee Ballot Application:
https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx
Printable Absentee Ballot Application:
https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-by-mail/
Track your Absentee Ballot at:
https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx
Your completed ballot must be witnessed and signed by a registered Minnesota voter or notarized. Mail ballots returned in person must be delivered to your local elections office and received no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day. Mail ballots returned by mail must be received by your local elections office by Election Day.
Early In-person
All Minnesota voters may vote in person beginning 46 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.
All early voting locations are open the last Saturday before Election Day and the day before Election Day
For more information about early voting in Minnesota, visit:
https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-in-person/
Contact your local elections officials regarding early vote locations and hours
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
Registering to Vote Does Not Affect Your:
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.
Status as a Dependent on Your 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.
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 June 2022