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Nov 3
Minnesota General Election

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This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

Minnesota offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Minnesota by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Voting Summary

Minnesota allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Minnesota offers early voting.

19 days to Election Day!


Register to Vote

Check that you're registered to vote on Minnesota's website.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on Minnesota’s website.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on Minnesota's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
  • Learn more about voting early in Minnesota.
  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Minnesota’s site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

You do not need to show ID to vote in Minnesota if your voter registration is current and active.

If you registered by mail, you're voting for the first time in Minnesota, and your ID number could not be verified by the state, or if you are registering to vote on Election Day, you will have to show ID and a document with your current name and address when you vote in person. If you have not voted in the last four years, you must also show ID and a document with your current name and address when you vote in person.

Acceptable IDs (can be expired) include:
  • driver's license, state ID, or learner’s permit issued by any state
  • US Passport
  • US Military or Veteran ID
  • Tribal ID with name, signature, and photo
  • Minnesota university, college, or technical college ID
  • Minnesota high school ID

Acceptable documents (which can be shown on an electronic device) include:
  • bill, account, or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for phone, TV, internet, utilities, banking or credit card, rent, or mortgage
  • residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day
  • current student fee statement

Other methods to verify your identity include:
  • registered voter from your precinct who can confirm your name and address
  • notice of late registration
  • valid registration in the same precinct
  • college student ID (if a student housing list is provided)
  • staff person of a residential facility who can confirm your name and address

Can I register to vote online?

  • Minnesota offers online voter registration.
  • To register online in Minnesota, you need to provide your email address and ONE of the following: Minnesota driver’s license number, Minnesota identification card number, OR the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have a Minnesota-issued ID or Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail.

Can I vote early?

Yes, Minnesota offers early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

When can I vote early?

Where can I vote early?

  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Minnesota's site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

You do not need to show ID to vote in Minnesota if your voter registration is current and active.

If you registered by mail, you're voting for the first time in Minnesota, and your ID number could not be verified by the state, or if you are registering to vote on Election Day, you will have to show ID and a document with your current name and address when you vote in person. If you have not voted in the last four years, you must also show ID and a document with your current name and address when you vote in person.

Acceptable IDs (can be expired) include:
  • driver's license, state ID, or learner’s permit issued by any state
  • US Passport
  • US Military or Veteran ID
  • Tribal ID with name, signature, and photo
  • Minnesota university, college, or technical college ID
  • Minnesota high school ID

Acceptable documents (which can be shown on an electronic device) include:
  • bill, account, or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for phone, TV, internet, utilities, banking or credit card, rent, or mortgage
  • residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day
  • current student fee statement

Other methods to verify your identity include:
  • registered voter from your precinct who can confirm your name and address
  • notice of late registration
  • valid registration in the same precinct
  • college student ID (if a student housing list is provided)
  • staff person of a residential facility who can confirm your name and address

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Minnesota voter registration form.

Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.

To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:


Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Minnesota, you must provide your Minnesota driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form.

Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Minnesota partisan primary elections.

Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.


If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
  • You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
  • Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.

How do I vote by mail?

In Minnesota, any registered voter can request to receive a ballot by mail. Download your absentee ballot form. We recommend you request your absentee ballot at least two weeks before the Nov 2 deadline to make sure you have time to receive and cast your ballot before the election.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.

How do I return my ballot?

  • Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
  • You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
  • Contact your local election office for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
  • If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Yes, you can register at your voting location on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

What are key deadlines for this election?

Registration deadlines

Absentee ballot deadlines

Voting deadlines

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

You do not need to show ID to vote in Minnesota if your voter registration is current and active.

If you registered by mail, you're voting for the first time in Minnesota, and your ID number could not be verified by the state, or if you are registering to vote on Election Day, you will have to show ID and a document with your current name and address when you vote in person. If you have not voted in the last four years, you must also show ID and a document with your current name and address when you vote in person.

Acceptable IDs (can be expired) include:
  • driver's license, state ID, or learner’s permit issued by any state
  • US Passport
  • US Military or Veteran ID
  • Tribal ID with name, signature, and photo
  • Minnesota university, college, or technical college ID
  • Minnesota high school ID

Acceptable documents (which can be shown on an electronic device) include:
  • bill, account, or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for phone, TV, internet, utilities, banking or credit card, rent, or mortgage
  • residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day
  • current student fee statement

Other methods to verify your identity include:
  • registered voter from your precinct who can confirm your name and address
  • notice of late registration
  • valid registration in the same precinct
  • college student ID (if a student housing list is provided)
  • staff person of a residential facility who can confirm your name and address

How do I see what's on my ballot?

View official ballot information on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, if available.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.

Who can register to vote?

To register in Minnesota you must:
  • be a United States citizen
  • be a Minnesota resident for 20 days before the next election
  • maintain residence at the address given on the registration form
  • be at least 16 years old (you must be at least 18 years old to vote)
  • not currently be incarcerated for a conviction of a felony offense
  • not be under a court-ordered guardianship in which your right to vote has been revoked
  • not be found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Learn more about military and overseas voting on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your local election office.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Minnesota. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Minnesota's voter registration lookup tool.
Watch this video about how to check your registration status from the Minnesota Secretary of State.

How do I contact my state election office?

Which election office should I contact?

  • In Minnesota, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
  • The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Minnesota. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.