Minnesota/Voting
To vote you must be:
A U.S. citizen
At least 18 years old on Election Day (16 & 17 year olds can pre-register)
A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
Not under a court order that revokes your right to vote
ID Requirements
ID with current name and address
Valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID; or a receipt for any of these.
Tribal ID with name, address, photo and signature.
② Photo ID and a document with current name and address
APPROVED PHOTO IDS (CHOOSE ONE)
The ID can be expired.
Driver's license, state ID or learner’s permit issued by any state
U.S. Passport
U.S. Military or Veteran ID
Tribal ID with name, signature and photo
Minnesota university, college or technical college ID
Minnesota high school ID
APPROVED DOCUMENTS (CHOOSE ONE)
Can be shown on electronic device.
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
Residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day
Current student fee statement
③ Registered voter who can confirm your address
A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. This is known as 'vouching.' A registered voter can vouch for up to eight voters. You cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for you.
④ College student ID with housing list
Colleges and universities that enroll students accepting state financial aid must send election officials a student housing list. If you are on the list, show your college photo ID to complete your registration.
⑤ Valid registration in the same precinct
If you are registered in the precinct but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the election judge your previous name or address.
⑥ Notice of Late Registration
If you registered to vote within 20 days of the election, you may get a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. Bring it with you and use it as your proof of residence to register.
⑦ Staff person of a residential facility
If you live in a residential facility, a staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address. This is known as 'vouching.' A staff person can vouch for all eligible voters living in the facility.
The staff person must prove their employment at the facility. There are several ways to do this, including by showing an employee badge. Learn more about voter registration in residential facilities.
Have an agent pick up your ballot (agent delivery)
In special situations, you may ask an agent to pick up and return an absentee ballot for you. This is called ‘agent delivery.’ Learn more about agent delivery.
Voters with print disabilities may request an accessible absentee ballot.
Print disabilities are disabilities that interfere with the effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials. This definition includes:
persons who are blind or visually impaired;
those with learning disabilities;
those with a physical disability that interferes with holding and manipulating paper or a pen/pencil.
If you do not have a disability, you are not eligible to receive an accessible ballot.
To request an accessible absentee ballot:
Complete and submit an absentee ballot request.
Once you have submitted your application, contact your county election office and specify that you wish to receive an accessible ballot.
Absentee Voting
In Minnesota, you can vote early with an absentee ballot starting 46 days before Election Day. You can request an absentee ballot online for federal, state, and county elections. Read about other options and more information about absentee voting at the links below.
Absentee voting is available and no excuse is required. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 1 day before the election. You can return your absentee ballot request form through mail, in person or at your local elections office. Voted ballots must be received by Election Day in order to be counted. You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Secretary of State website. Absentee ballots begin being counted on Election Day.
You do not need to be registered to vote to request an absentee ballot. A voter registration application will be included in the materials. You must show your witness an accepted proof of residence when registering.
Returning your ballot:
You have multiple options to return your ballot: you can mail it, deposit it in a secure drop box, use a package delivery service like Fed Ex or UPS, or personally return the ballot in person at your local elections office.
Those who requested an absentee ballot but end up voting in person have that option as long as the voter has not returned their ballot. The voter can go to their early voting location before Election Day or their polling place on Election Day. They should tell the election officials that they requested an absentee ballot but want to vote in person instead. The election official will cancel their absentee ballot and allow the voter to vote in person. The voter should shred their absentee ballot when they return home; no other voter may use it.
Permanent Mail Voter List
Effective June 2024, Minnesota will introduce a permanent mail voter list, enabling voters who apply for "permanent absentee voter status" to receive a mail ballot for all elections. Absentee ballots will be sent to voters on the permanent absentee voter list at least 46 days before each regularly scheduled election.
Early Voting
You can vote early at your local elections office. For most elections, early voting takes place during normal business hours, beginning 46 days before the election.
For federal, state, or county elections, early voting locations must be open the last Saturday before the election (10am-3pm) and the day before the election until 5pm.
If you are not registered before going to vote early, you may register in person as long as you show proof of residence.
Some places may have additional early voting hours.
Election Day
For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during their normal business hours starting 46 days before the election. Locations offering absentee ballots for federal, state or county elections must also be open:
The last Saturday before Election Day (9 a.m. — 3 p.m.)
The day before Election Day until 5 p.m.
Before the state general election, these additional hours are also required:
The Tuesday before Election Day until 7 p.m.
The second to last Saturday before Election Day (9 a.m. — 3 p.m.)
The last Sunday before Election Day (9 a.m. — 3 p.m.)
These additional hours do not apply to school districts holding standalone elections.
Some local jurisdictions may provide additional absentee voting days or hours beyond the above required days and times. Call your jurisdiction for more information.