Minnesota Voting Guide

Am I eligible to vote in Minnesota?

To be eligible to vote in Minnesota, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age on Election Day, a resident of the state of Minnesota for at least 20 days, and registered to vote.

In Minnesota, a 17-year-old can pre-register to vote if you will be 18 when the next election occurs. 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.

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.

In Minnesota, having a criminal record does not preclude you from voting except with one exception. You can't vote in either a general or local election if you're currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. You can vote in the following situations:

• You're charged with a felony but not yet convicted
• You have a conviction for a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor
• You're given a stay of adjudication

If you're denied the right to vote and feel it was incorrect, consider speaking with a civil rights attorney.

Where do I vote?

Check here for your polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

How do I register in Minnesota?

There are several ways to register to vote in Minnesota. This includes registering:

In Person

You can register in person on Election Day at your polling place. You must show proof of residence before you can register and vote.

Online

Complete the online voter registration process. You will need an email address, driver's license, ID card number, or Social Security number.

By Mail

Download the voter registration form. Print it out, complete it, and mail it to your county election office or the Secretary of State.

Overseas

You can complete an application and request an absentee ballot using the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).

Is voting registration more difficult for some people?

Some people may face additional challenges or questions registering.

Students

You should register to vote at the address you consider your home. If you consider your parents' address as your home, register at that address. 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, 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. Minnesota participates in the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) to protect people at risk of violence. If you plan to participate in the Safe at Home program, do not register to vote or update your registration online.

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 is not a residence but is an outside location, write in the description. If you register before Election Day and list an outdoor location, 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.

Convicted Felons

If you're convicted of a felony crime, your right to vote is temporarily suspended while you serve your sentence. As soon as you are “off-paper," you can re-register to vote.

New Voters 

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State provides tips for new voters, including a print factsheet that will walk you through what to expect at your polling place.

Check here to find out your voter registration status.

When is Minnesota's voter registration deadline?

Your voter registration application must be received by 5 p.m., 21 days before Election Day. Both online and mail registration closes 20 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. Be sure to bring the required identification if you do so.

How do I request an absentee ballot in Minnesota?

Any registered voter can choose to vote by absentee ballot. This provides an opportunity for early voting starting 46 days before Election Day. You can vote early in person at your local elections office or by mail with an absentee ballot. Your county auditor can answer any questions you may have about absentee voting or the voting process in general.

For example, suppose you're a Minneapolis resident but attend college out of state. In that case, you might have questions about submitting your absentee ballot in person for a primary election.

Anything I should know about voting by mail in Minnesota?

You can apply to vote by mail, but be sure to leave enough time for your ballot to arrive. Election officials will not count your mail ballot if it's received after Election Day. You will need a witness when you complete your ballot. That can be another registered Minnesota voter or a notary.

You can apply to have all ballots going forward sent to you by mail. You can also vote early, in person at your county election office, or at your community's in-person absentee voting location. Call your city clerk for more information.

If you're a military member or live overseas, use the FVAP website to request an absentee ballot.

What do I need to bring to the polls in Minnesota?

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, driver'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.

What special accommodations are available?

Every polling place in Minnesota must have accessibility for elderly voters and those with disabilities. Contact your city or township clerk if a polling place is not accessible. 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 to help voters with disabilities mark their ballots with privacy equipped with a large-print display screen in high contrast with headphones for audio assistance. You can fill in a ballot using a Braille keypad or a sip-and-puff device. The machine prints your completed ballot, and you deliver it to the ballot machine the same as every other voter.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

The Office of the Secretary of State published its commitment to secure and fair elections on its website.

If you believe you witnessed or experienced election misconduct, voter intimidation, or discrimination when you voted, you can file a complaint with your county attorney. You can also complete and submit the Minnesota State Election Law Complaint Form.

If you have information about false election materials, improper campaigning, vote buying, campaign finance violations, or other prohibited activities, you can file a Campaign Practices Complaint Form with the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings.

If you had difficulties or were unable to vote due to a violation of the Help America Vote Act for persons with disabilities, you can file a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Complaint Form with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Again, the form will need to get notarized or signed by an election judge at the polling place on Election Day.

You can also report voting law violations to the U.S. Department of Justice, or contact a local Minnesota attorney experienced in voting law if you feel your voting rights have been violated.

Additional Information

Minnesota Secretary of State

180 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd St. Paul 55155-1299

Phone:1-877-600-VOTE (8683) Email: secretary.state@state.mn.us Web: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/

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. Meet with a lawyer who can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights if you face discrimination. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you.