Voting in Minnesota
General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
At a glance
Many people are registered automatically when they deal with the DMV or certain state agencies. You can register and vote on the same day, including Election Day.
No ID is generally required at the polls; voters state their name (and often address) and sign the poll book. Same-day registrants must show proof of residence. First-time voters who registered by mail may need to show ID under federal law.
Return deadline: by mail: received by 8 p.m. Nov 3; hand-delivered by 5 p.m. Nov 3 (SB 3045, 2025).
In-person absentee from Sept 18; early (direct-balloting) voting from mid-Oct (one news report says Oct 13) through 5 p.m. Nov 2
Since 2023 (HF 28) only people incarcerated for a felony lose the vote; restored on release, including on parole/probation.
Deadlines
| Step | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Register online | Tuesday, October 13 | |
| Register by mail | Tuesday, October 13 | |
| Register in person | Tuesday, November 3 | Same-day registration |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3 | Polls close times vary; check your state. |
Mail ballot request: No fixed request deadline; in-person absentee through Nov 2; request by mail early. Mail ballot return: by mail: received by 8 p.m. Nov 3; hand-delivered by 5 p.m. Nov 3 (SB 3045, 2025).
Where the road gets harder
Every rule is a cost, and it doesn't fall on everyone the same. A deadline, a document or a trip to an office is easy for some people and a real obstacle for others: people who work hourly jobs, move often, live far from an office, don't drive, or have a disability. Here is what that looks like in Minnesota.
- A mail ballot envelope needs a witness or notary signature, an extra step that is harder for people who live alone or are homebound.
- Mail ballots have to arrive by Election Day; a postmark isn't enough. A ballot mailed in the last days can arrive too late and won't count, so return it in person if it's close.
- Minnesota requires an adult U.S. citizen or notary to witness and sign each absentee ballot envelope; the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld the requirement on August 12, 2026.Source: Minnesota Supreme Court, Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund v. Simon (2026)
News from Minnesota
Recent election, voting and policy headlines that mention Minnesota, newest first. They are found automatically and not checked: a headline shows what someone published, not that it is true.
News appears here once the news feed is connected.
Official links
Minnesota Secretary of State. These go straight to the government, not to us.
Sources
Checked October 12, 2026. Laws and court rulings change, sometimes close to an election. If anything here disagrees with your state or county election office, they are right and we are wrong; please tell us.
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-registration-deadlines
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/online-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/automatic-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-voter-registration
- https://www.usvotefoundation.org/minnesota-election-dates-and-deadlines
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-11-receipt-and-postmark-deadlines-for-absentee-mail-ballots
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/early-in-person-voting
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-1-states-with-no-excuse-absentee-voting
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-3-states-with-permanent-absentee-voting-lists
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-14-how-states-verify-voted-absentee-mail-ballots
- https://www.kttc.com/2026/09/17/early-absentee-voting-begin-friday-minnesota/
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights
- https://minnlawyer.com/files/2026/08/OPA241134-081226.pdf