Minnesota Voting Guide

Your vote is your voice, and exercising your right to vote is a cornerstone of democracy. Minnesota makes voting accessible with user-friendly policies like no-excuse absentee voting and same-day registration. This guide provides the essential information you need to participate in Minnesota elections, covering everything from eligibility and registration deadlines to what to expect at your polling place.

Know Your Rights as a Minnesota Voter

When you go to vote, it’s important to know your rights. Minnesota law provides several key protections to ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot securely and without interference.

On Election Day, you have:

• The right to take time off from work to vote without losing pay, personal leave, or vacation time.
• The right to vote if you are in line at your polling place by 8 p.m., even if you reach the front of the line after the polls have closed.
• The right to a replacement ballot if you make a mistake while marking your ballot. You can ask an election judge for a new one.
• The right to ask for help from an election judge or a person of your choice (as long as they are not your employer or union representative).
• The right to cast your ballot privately and free from intimidation.
• The right to vote after taking an oath if your eligibility is challenged by an election judge.

If you believe any of your rights have been violated at the polls, you should speak with an on-site election judge immediately and consider reporting the incident to your county attorney.

Who Is Eligible To Vote in Minnesota?

To vote in Minnesota, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old on Election Day
• A resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days

You also must be registered to vote. It’s best to register early and check your registration before going to the polls. However, Minnesota does allow Election Day registration if you need help or need to update your registration before casting your vote. The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State provides tips for new voters, including a printable factsheet that will walk you through what to expect at your polling place.

You cannot register and vote if a court has ruled you to be mentally incompetent. However, you can register to vote if you’re under guardianship and a judge has not revoked your right to vote. Check here to find out your voter registration status.

Pre-Registration for 17-Year-Olds

In Minnesota, 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote if they will be 18 by the next election. Your application may get returned if a special election occurs before you turn 18, and you’ll need to register again to vote in the following election.

Voting With a Felony Record

Your right to vote in Minnesota is only lost while you are incarcerated for a felony conviction. Your right to vote is automatically restored as soon as you are released from incarceration, even if you’re still on parole or probation.

You do not lose your voting rights in the following situations:

• You are charged with a felony but not yet convicted
• You have a conviction for a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor
• You are serving your sentence in the community but are not incarcerated (e.g., on probation or parole)

You’re eligible to vote once you’re released from prison, but you’ll need to re-register to vote before casting a ballot. If you believe your right to vote has been improperly denied, consider speaking with a civil rights attorney.

Students at an Out-of-State School

You should register to vote at the address you consider your home. If you consider your parents’ address as your home, register there. If your home is out of state, you must request an absentee ballot from that state.

If you now reside on a Minnesota college campus and consider that your home, you can choose to vote in Minnesota if you meet the eligibility criteria. This is possible even if you pay out-of-state tuition and have an out-of-state driver’s license.

Survivors of Violence 

Your name and address become public information when you register to vote, which is not optimal for survivors of domestic violence. Minnesota participates in the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which provides a second mailing address to keep victims hidden. If you plan to participate in the Safe at Home program, follow its instructions on how to vote.

Homeless or Impermanent Voters 

Minnesota makes it easy to vote if you are experiencing homelessness. You can register to vote using the place you sleep as your address. If that’s not a residence, you can write in the description of what it is. You may have to swear under oath that the outdoor location is where you’re living.

You can also register to vote on Election Day. Someone from your precinct registered to vote can go with you to confirm where you’re living.

When Is Minnesota’s Voter Registration Deadline?

Online and mail registration closes 20 days before Election Day. Your voter registration application must be received by 5 p.m., 21 days before Election Day.

You can register in person up to Election Day. Minnesota has same-day voter registration, so you can register at your polling place. Just be sure to bring the required identification if you do so.

Same-Day Voter Registration in Minnesota

Minnesota is one of several states that allow eligible citizens to register to vote on Election Day at their designated polling place. This is a convenient option if you missed the pre-registration deadline or need to update your address.

To register on Election Day, you must provide proof of residence. You can use any of the following options to prove where you live:

• Valid ID with current address: A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, state ID, or Tribal ID that includes your current name and address
• Photo ID and a document: A photo ID (can be expired) from the approved list, plus a document with your current name, which can include a bill, account statement, or start-of-service notice from a provider (like a phone, TV, internet, utility, rent, or credit card bill) dated within 30 days of the election
• Registered voter who can vouch for you: A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address under oath (this can be a roommate, neighbor, or another person from your precinct)
• College student ID: Use your student ID if your college provides the polling place with a housing list that includes your name
• Notice of late registration: If you received a Notice of Late Registration in the mail, bring this notice as your proof of residence
• Residential facility staff: An employee of a nursing home, assisted living facility, shelter for battered women, or homeless shelter where you live can accompany you to the polls to verify your address

Due to same-day registration, Minnesota does not use provisional ballots. If you arrive at your polling place and there is an issue with your registration, an election judge will guide you through registering on the spot.

If you can’t prove your residence at the polls, don’t leave without voting. The election judge can give you a ballot and an absentee ballot envelope. You’ll mark your ballot, seal it in the envelope, and return it. You’ll then have until the county canvassing board meets (typically about one week after the election) to provide proof of residence to your county election office. If you provide the proof on time, your ballot will be counted.

Voting Early: Absentee and Mail-In Ballots

Any registered voter in Minnesota can vote early by absentee ballot. This process, which includes voting by mail or early in-person voting, begins 46 days before Election Day. Minnesota offers “no-excuse” absentee voting, which means you do not need a specific reason to vote this way.

How To Get and Return Your Absentee Ballot

The first step is to apply for an absentee ballot. You can complete the application online or print it and send it by mail or email. On your application, you can also opt to join the permanent absentee voter list to automatically receive a ballot for all future special and general elections.

Once you receive and complete your ballot, you have two options for returning it:

• Return by mail: Place your completed ballot in the provided envelopes and mail it back. Your ballot must be received by election officials by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. To avoid postal delays, mail your ballot at least seven days before the election.
• Return in person: You can drop off your completed ballot in person at your county election office or another designated in-person absentee voting location. You can also vote early in person at one of these locations instead of having a ballot mailed to you.

If mailing a ballot, the sooner you get it to the post office, the better.

Witness Requirement for Mail-In Ballots

When you complete your mail-in ballot, you will need a witness to sign your ballot envelope. The witness confirms your identity as you seal the envelope. An eligible witness can be:

• A U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old
• A notary public
• An official authorized to administer oaths

Your witness doesn’t need to be a registered Minnesota voter.

Voters in the Military or Living Overseas

If you are an active-duty military member or a Minnesota voter living abroad, you’ll follow a specific federal process. Use the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website to request your absentee ballot.

Minnesota Voter ID Requirements

You do not need identification at the polls unless you register to vote on Election Day at your polling station. If so, you will need to bring:

• A valid photo ID, such as a Minnesota driver’s license, U.S. passport, learner’s permit, state ID card, college ID card, tribal ID card
• A voter registration card from your precinct which can show a different name or address – for example, if you were recently married or moved
• An expired photo ID if you also have another type of proof of residency, such as a utility bill, lease, or rent receipt that lists your name and address, dated within 30 days of Election Day

You can also have a registered voter in your voting precinct or an employee of a residential facility where you live confirm your address.

Polling Place Accommodations

Every polling place in Minnesota must be accessible to elderly voters and those with disabilities. Contact your city or township clerk if this isn’t the case. You can also vote curbside from your vehicle if you can’t get into the building.

You can have a family member or friend help you vote if you need assistance, but not your employer, union, or a political candidate. You can also ask a poll worker for assistance. Help is available for getting into your polling place, using the voting machine, and reading or marking your ballot.

Most polling places have a special ballot-marking machine equipped with a high-contrast large-print display screen and headphones for audio assistance to help voters with disabilities mark their ballots privately. You can fill in a ballot using a Braille keypad or a sip-and-puff device.

Illegal Activity at the Polls

Minnesota state and federal laws protect the integrity of the election process and your right to vote without interference. It is illegal for any person or group to engage in voter intimidation, spread misinformation, or otherwise disrupt voting.

Examples of prohibited activities at or near a polling place include:

• Improper campaigning: Campaigning is not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place. This includes displaying signs, wearing political apparel (shirts, hats, buttons), or distributing campaign literature.
• Voter intimidation: Nobody should try to influence your vote at a polling place. This includes aggressively questioning a voter’s eligibility, threatening voters, spreading false information about voting requirements, or falsely representing oneself as an election official.
• Interfering with the voting process: You have the right to cast your ballot without interference. Obstructing access to the polling place, causing a disturbance, or refusing to obey the lawful commands of an election judge is illegal.
• Bribery or vote buying: Votes should not be for sale. It is a crime to offer, give, or accept money, gifts, or anything of value in exchange for voting a certain way or not voting at all.

If you witness or experience election misconduct, voter intimidation, or discrimination at the polls, inform an election judge or an election official before you leave the polling place. If someone is trying to prevent you from voting, do not leave without casting your ballot. You can also file a formal complaint with your county attorney or the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Minnesota Voting Resources

Your vote counts. Take the time to learn how to vote and when by viewing the election calendar.

REGISTER TO VOTE

ELECTION DATES

ABSENTEE BALLOT

Get a Lawyer’s Help if You Have Voting Concerns

You have a constitutional right to vote as an eligible citizen. If you face discrimination, meet with a lawyer who can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. FindLaw has made its attorney directory available to help you find an attorney at no charge.