Frequently Asked Questions – 2026
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If your question is not answered, please call the DFL Voter Protection Hotline at 1-833-335-8683 (1-833-DFL-VOTE). You can also read more on our website, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office online, or view the resources at iwillvote.com.
If you need assistance in a language not offered above or require accommodations, please contact the DNC’s National Voter Information Hotline at 1-833-DEM-VOTE (1-833-336-8683) or text ‘VOTE’ to 70888.
Note: By texting VOTE to 70888, you are consenting to receive recurring and/or automated text messages & calls from the DNC with news & info about their work. For SMS, message & data rates may apply. Text STOP to end. Text HELP for help.
What rights do I have as a Minnesota voter?
As a Minnesota voter, you have the right to:
Take time off work to vote.
You have a right to take time off work to vote anytime during the absentee voting period or on Election Day without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time.
Vote if you are in line by 8:00 P.M.
You have the right to vote if you are in line to vote anytime before 8 p.m.
Register on Election Day.
You have the right to register to vote on Election Day if you can show the required proof of residence. Find Your Election Day Registration Options Here.
Sign in orally.
You have the right to orally confirm who you are and to ask another person to sign for you if you cannot sign your name.
Ask for help.
You have the right to ask anyone for help, except for an agent of your employer or union.
A voter who requires assistance in marking a ballot, by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, may be given assistance to do so by a person of the voter’s choice, other than the employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter’s union.
You also have the right to request assistance from election judges. Two election judges, one from each major party, may jointly assist a voter with any registration- or voting-related task.
Bring children to the polls.
You have the right to bring your children with you to vote.
Vote if you are not incarcerated for a felony conviction
You can vote if you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, even if you are on probation or parole, or have other conditions such as payment of fines or community service.
Vote if you’re under guardianship.
You have the right to vote if you are under a guardianship, unless a judge has specifically revoked your right to vote.
Vote without being influenced.
You have the right to vote without anyone trying to influence your vote inside of an early vote or Election Day polling location, or within 100 feet of either.
Get a replacement ballot.
You have the right to a replacement ballot if you make a mistake on your ballot before you cast it. Ask an election judge to spoil the ballot you made a mistake on and give you a new one.
File a complaint.
You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are unhappy with the way an election is being run. Ask an election judge or election worker for a HAVA (Help America Vote Act) complaint form.
Bring a sample ballot.
You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you. If it is a partisan sample ballot that has a candidate or candidate’s information on it, or is from a political party, make sure no other voters can see it.
Bring the Voter’s Bill of Rights to the polls.
You have the right to take a copy of the Voter’s Bill of Rights (Minnesota Statutes 204C.08, subd. 1d) into the voting booth (print or view the document here).
In addition to filing a complaint with the relevant authority, if you feel your rights are being violated, call the DFL Voter Protection Hotline at 1-833-335-8683 (1-833-DFL-VOTE).
I am a new voter. What do I need to know?
Congratulations on taking the exciting step of helping shape Minnesota’s future and exercising your fundamental right to vote!
Voting for the first time may seem intimidating, but don’t worry—it’s an easy process and we’ve provided a simple guide to follow:
Step 1: Are you already registered to vote in Minnesota? Confirm your eligibility and check if you are already registered to vote or complete your registration on the Secretary of State’s website.
Step 2: Decide how you would like to vote. There are a few ways to vote in Minnesota: you can vote in person at your polling place on Election Day, in person during early voting, or via mail-in ballot (absentee).
Step 3: What should I expect if I vote in person on Election Day or in person during early voting?
Look up your assigned polling location on Election Day here or during early voting here, and make a plan to head over to vote during the hours when the polling place is open!
If you are already registered to vote (check here), your name will be on a list of voters when you arrive. You do not need to show your ID if your registration is current and active. There will be a check-in table where an election judge will ask you to sign your name next to your entry on the voter roster (this may be an electronic roster or a paper roster).
If you have not registered before Election Day, you must bring proof of your identity and current residence. View acceptable ID and documents you can bring here. There are a number of options including those designed for college students, those living in residential facilities such as homeless shelters, and more.
After you check in or register, you will vote in a private area and your vote is secret! Using a pen or marker provided by the election judges, you will completely fill in the oval or rectangle next to your choice for each office and, if there are any, proposed amendments to the state constitution and city ballot questions.
There are accessible options if needed to mark your ballot, and the ballot will have instructions for how many candidates you can choose for each office (usually it will say ‘choose one’). If you would like to view what exactly will be on your ballot ahead of time, you can do so here.
Your ballot counts even if you do not vote on every race or ballot question! However, be aware that not voting for a proposed state constitution amendment is the same as a no vote.
If you make a mistake, you have the right to ask for a replacement ballot. Bring your “oops” ballot to an election judge, tell them you made an error, and they will give you a new one! Your old ballot with the mistake will be spoiled and not counted.
After you have voted, put your ballot in the ballot-counter machine. Election judges will provide instructions.
Be sure to get your “I Voted” sticker before you leave!
Have further questions? We’re here to help. Call our Voter Protection Hotline at 1-833-335-8683 (1-833-DFL-VOTE).
I’m confused about Minnesota election terminology. What does all of this mean?
Minnesota has some unique terms when it comes to talking about elections. Keep reading for an explanation of the most common ones!
Absentee Voting: The method of voting available during the early voting period. You do not need a reason or excuse to vote absentee in Minnesota.
Election Judge: A poll worker charged with facilitating voter registration and voting. Most are non-permanent elections staff who are either volunteering to serve as an election judge or have been temporarily hired for the election season.
Poll Challenger: A role created by Minnesota law, poll challengers, who must be credentialed by a major political party, are permitted to remain inside of a polling place on Election Day in order to challenge a voter’s eligibility based on personal knowledge of that voter.
Early Voting: The period of time before Election Day that registered voters can cast an absentee ballot. Minnesota has 46 days of early voting, both in person and by mail. If your voter registration is not current, you may apply or update your registration during this time as well. (See also “Registration Blackout Period” below.)
Vote by Mail: Voting in an election with an absentee ballot that is mailed to you, the voter, and then mailed back to the appropriate county election office.
Early In-Person Voting: Voting at your county’s designated early voting location(s) in person before election day. This is also considered absentee voting, even though you are doing it in person.
Registration Blackout Period: The period of time where pre-registration for voting is not allowed. To be eligible to vote in Minnesota, you must have resided here for at least 20 days leading up to the election. That 20-day period is known as the “blackout” period for voter registration. The only way to register during the blackout period is to vote early in person and register at the same time. Otherwise, you must wait to register until Election Day.
Voucher: A registered voter who provides registration assistance to another voter in their precinct. A voucher can confirm, under penalty of perjury, that the individual they are assisting lives in the same precinct. Under Minnesota law, this satisfies the proof of residency requirement for voter registration.
Sample Ballot: A sample ballot is generally one of two things—
A pre-printed document, usually provided by a political party or campaign, that indicates which candidate(s) the publishing organization is endorsing or supporting. As long as it is not being used to create a distraction or to influence other voters, it is permissible for a voter to bring a sample ballot from a campaign or political party with them to the polls to assist them in voting.
A blank ballot printed from the Secretary of State’s website that a voter may fill in ahead of voting in order to remember who they wish to vote for. All official sample ballots have “Sample Ballot” printed at the top, and they will not have any barcodes or other official markings. Find your official sample ballot here.
A Note on Party Endorsements:
Minnesota has two major political parties, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL, the Democratic Party in MN) and the Republican Party of Minnesota (MN GOP). There are also a number of minor political parties.
In Minnesota, political parties endorse candidates for office through a caucus and convention system, and also with a primary election. However, not all races are eligible for a formal endorsement: municipal and county elections in Minnesota are non-partisan. Parties may endorse or provide letters of support to individual candidates, but there will be no party affiliation listed on the ballot. Judicial races are also non-partisan.
Do I need to bring ID to vote in person?
You do not need to bring identification to your polling location during early voting or on Election Day if your voter registration is current and active. You can check your registration status here. You must have been successfully registered at least 21 days before Election Day and not have moved or legally changed names since.
You will need to bring ID only if you:
Need to register at the time you vote (during both early voting or on Election Day);
Have not voted in four consecutive years or more;
Have moved outside of your precinct since registering to vote, or need to update your registration for another reason;
You pre-registered less than 21 days ahead of Election Day.
If you need to bring ID, review the list of documents that are acceptable to use here.
I am a college student. How do I register to vote and cast my ballot?
If you are studying in Minnesota, even if you moved here from out-of-state to go to school, you are eligible to vote here if you:
Are a U.S. citizen;
Are at least 18 years old on Election Day;
Are a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days before Election Day (this includes living on- or off-campus);
Are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction;
Have not had your right to vote revoked by a judge.
Students are often unsure about whether they should vote from their parent’s address or their current on- or off-campus residence. You should register to vote from the address that you currently consider home. It’s your choice!
I consider my school address to be home
If you consider Minnesota your home, you can register to vote here even if you have a driver’s license from another state or pay out-of-state tuition. You can register online, by mail, in person during early vote at your early vote location, or in person on Election Day at your polling place.
When you register, you will need to prove your Minnesota residence. As a student, you have a few options to do so:
If you are a student who lives on-campus and your school has sent a list of residential students to your county, you will only need an acceptable ID to register, which includes your school-issued ID. You should register with your school mailing address, whether it is the dorm address or your general college address.
If your school has not sent a list of residential students to the county, or if you live off-campus, you may need more than a student ID to prove residence. You can use a student ID and a fee statement from your school (either printed or digital), or any other documents listed here, including a Minnesota driver’s license. You should register with your off-campus address if you live off-campus, or with your school mailing address (as above) if you live on-campus.
Additionally, if you register on Election Day, a registered voter from your precinct can also go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. This is known as ‘vouching’. The voucher needs to be registered in the precinct where you are registering, know you, and swear under oath that you live in that precinct. Your roommate or someone else from your dorm is the perfect person to vouch for you. Note that you cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for you, and any individual can vouch for no more than eight other voters.
Your school administration should be able to provide guidance to you, often via your department of residential life or a similar department. Schools are required to have a ‘campus vote coordinator’ and publish information on their website for students.
I consider my parents’ address elsewhere in Minnesota to be home
If you consider your parents’ address elsewhere in Minnesota to be home, you can check to see if you qualify to vote by mail with an absentee ballot from your home address, or you can travel home and vote early in-person or on Election Day. Visit mnvotes.gov to check your eligibility and registration status and find information as needed to register, request a mail-in absentee ballot, or find your in-person early voting or Election Day polling location.
I consider my parents’ address out-of-state to be home
If you consider your parents’ address out-of-state to be home, you should visit the website of your local Secretary of State for more information. You can also find information on voting in your state by visiting iwillvote.com and using the dropdown menu to select your state of residence.
I’m studying abroad during the election, can I still vote?
Yes! Voting absentee-by-mail while studying abroad has the same process as all U.S. citizens living abroad. Please see our guidance on voting while living overseas or in the military.
Can I vote early via mail or in-person?
Yes! You can vote early in person at your local county elections office, other early vote locations in your county, or via mail-in absentee ballot starting 46 days before Election Day.
VOTE EARLY IN PERSON
To vote early in person, you can cast an absentee ballot at your local county elections office or other early vote location starting 46 days before Election Day. Visit mnvotes.gov for hours and locations.
VOTE EARLY BY MAIL
To vote via mail-in ballot (absentee), you must request your absentee ballot through the Secretary of State’s office by applying here or in person at your local county elections office. Once you receive your ballot, you can either mail it according to the instructions on your absentee ballot or you can return your ballot to your local county elections office. NOTE: Your absentee ballot must be received by no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day regardless of how you choose to return it (by mail or by hand).
Have further questions? Please see additional instructions below for voting by mail-in ballot (absentee):
Apply for a ballot any time during the year at mnvotes.org, except on the day of the election. Election officials will send voting materials once ballots are available, usually the first day of the early voting period.
Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully! Your ballot will not count if you do not complete all the required information.
Your absentee ballot will come with three envelopes. Make sure you place them inside of each other in the appropriate order:
Your completed ballot goes into the tan secrecy envelope.
Next, the tan secrecy envelope goes into the white witness/signature envelope.
Finally, the witness/signature envelope goes into the prepaid election mail return envelope.
You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. Your witness must sign the signature envelope and list their address. The witness requirement is to ensure your ballot is blank and unmarked before you vote.
If you are not already registered to vote, you will get a registration application with your absentee ballot materials. To register, show your witness one of the identification options listed in the instructions. Your witness must mark what ID you showed them on your signature envelope.
After you finish, mail the ballot (and registration application, if applicable) back as soon as you are able. Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day by mail. You can also return your ballot in person to the county elections office that sent your ballot by no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day.
You can track the status of your mail-in ballot and confirm that it was received and counted here.
If you have additional questions about mail-in voting—including what to do if you make a mistake on your ballot, change your mind, wish to vote in person, or other questions—visit the Secretary of State’s website or call the DFL Voter Protection Hotline at 1-833-335-8683 (1-833-DFL-VOTE).
Can I take time off work to vote?
You have the right to take time off work to vote without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time. This includes time to vote early in person or to pick up and drop off an absentee ballot.
Your employer must pay you for the time you need to vote if it falls within your scheduled work time. Your employer cannot require you to use personal leave or vacation time. Take only as much time as you need to vote and go to work.
Your employer cannot directly or indirectly refuse, limit, or interfere with this right, including what time you choose to vote. Your employer can ask that you tell them when you will be gone, and ask that employees coordinate their absences to minimize workplace disruptions.
You have the right to time off work to vote in all state and federal elections, and in all regularly-scheduled local elections.
If helpful, you can give a copy of this letter to employers from Secretary of State Steve Simon to your employer, which explains your right to time off for voting.
An employer that violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any complaints from employees should be filed with the county attorney.
You can choose to vote early if you do not want to or cannot vote on Election Day. Please see our guidance on Voting Early.
How do I vote if I am living overseas, serving in the military, or studying abroad during the election?
You can have an absentee ballot sent to you wherever you are in the world! However, you should carefully review the guidance below and provided by the Minnesota Secretary of State to ensure you meet deadlines for requesting and returning your ballot. Note that if you are abroad indefinitely with no plans to return to Minnesota, you can only vote for federal offices.
Key Dates for the 2026 Primary Election:
You are encouraged to apply for your ballot as soon as you are able so that you have enough time to mail it back by Election Day—we recommend applying in June.
June 26: Date absentee ballots begin being mailed to voters who requested them.
July 10: Recommended date to return your ballot by placing it in the mail.
August 11: Deadline for absentee ballots to be received by county election offices. Any ballots received after 8:00 P.M. local time will not be counted.
Key Dates for the 2026 General Election:
You are encouraged to apply for your ballot as soon as you are able so that you have enough time to mail it back by Election Day—we recommend applying in early September.
September 18: Date absentee ballots begin being mailed to voters who requested them.
October 2: Recommended date to return your ballot by placing it in the mail.
November 3: Deadline for absentee ballots to be received by county election offices. Any ballots received after 8:00 P.M. local time will not be counted.
Military members serving outside their home precinct* are eligible to request an absentee ballot. Citizens living abroad temporarily or indefinitely, as well as spouses and dependents of military members, are also eligible. A spouse, parent, sibling, or child 18 years old or over can apply on your behalf.
*This includes members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Minnesotans enrolled as students at a U.S. Service Academy.
To apply for your ballot, apply online or download a paper application.
Once you apply, you will automatically receive a ballot for any elections you are eligible to vote in through December 31 of the year you apply, or through the next election held in November of an even-number year, whichever is later. Re-apply annually and after a change of mailing address to ensure your information is up-to-date. Your ballot application also serves as a voter registration application.
Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day. Return your materials early enough to account for delivery time via mail, a package delivery service (such as FedEx or UPS), or the diplomatic pouch at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You cannot return your ballot by email or fax.
You can track the status of your ballot and confirm that it was received and counted online here.
If you have not received voting materials in time, download and print an emergency ballot called the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, or FWAB. The ballot will have blanks for you to write your choices. Your write-in ballot must be received by 8:00 P.M. on Election Day. Read more and see the FWAB form here.
Additional questions Minnesota voters may have about voting from abroad:
Do I need a witness to certify my ballot?
No. Minnesota allows military voters and voters living abroad to self-certify their absentee ballot.
Can I receive my ballot by email?
Yes. You can choose to have voting materials sent by email, mail, or fax. If you receive your ballot by email, you must print it. You cannot return your ballot by email or fax.
When will I get my ballot?
Ballots are ready at least 46 days before the election. Election officials will send your ballot as quickly as possible after receiving your application. Election officials will airmail your ballot if you are outside the continental United States. If you provide a prepaid envelope, your county election office can send your ballot by express mail service.
Do I have to register to vote separately from requesting my ballot?
No. Your ballot application also serves as a voter registration application.
I’m studying abroad during the election, can I still vote?
Yes! Voting absentee while studying abroad has the same process as citizens living abroad outlined above.