You have the right to vote. If anyone tries to stop you, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683. We also wrote a handy guide that outlines your voting rights.
Minnesota Election Center
Check your registration→
Not sure if you're registered to vote? We'll help you check and register if you can.
Register to vote→
It takes less than 2 minutes to register.
Get your absentee ballot→
Can't vote in person on Election Day? Request an absentee ballot.
Get election reminders→
We'll remind you when and what you need to vote, so that you never miss an election again.
Pledge to register→
Too young to vote? Pledge to register and we'll text you a reminder on your 18th birthday.
Polling place locator→
Need to find your polling place? View the list of state polling place websites.
Last updated on January 31, 2020 - as always, it's best to double check with your state for any recent changes to election rules in your state: Minnesota Election Website
Minnesota voter registration
- In Person: Election Day.
- By Mail: Received 21 days before Election Day.
- Online: 21 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during the in-person absentee voting period or on Election Day. Simply go to your regular in-person absentee voting site -- or to your regular polling place -- to register and vote. Contact your Local Election Office if you have any questions.
- To register in Minnesota you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of Minnesota for 20 days before the next election
- maintain residence at the address given on the registration form
- be at least 18 years old on Election Day
- if previously convicted of a felony, have completed or been discharged from your sentence
- not be under a court‑ordered guardianship in which the right to vote has been revoked
- not be found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote
- Use our Register to Vote Tool to fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Sign and date your form. This is very important!
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed form to the address we provide.
- Make sure you register before the voter registration deadline.
- If you have been convicted of a felony and have questions about whether you can register to vote, visit Restore Your Vote to determine your eligibility.
Minnesota absentee ballots
- In Person:
- By Mail: 1 day before Election Day, but we recommend applying at least 7 days before Election Day.
- Online:
- Election Day.
- Any registered Minnesota voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by absentee ballot.
- Use our Absentee Ballot Tool to prepare your application.
- Sign and date the form. This is very important!
- Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We'll provide the mailing address for you.
- All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it's close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
- Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time -- simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
- Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.
- Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
- A witness must sign your absentee ballot envelope to verify that your ballot was delivered blank and that you marked the ballot in private. The witness can be a notary from any state or a registered Minnesota voter.
- Sign and date where indicated.
- Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope. Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.
Minnesota early voting
- 46 days before Election Day.
- 1 day before Election Day.
Minnesota voter ID
If your voter registration is current and active, you do not need to show ID when you vote in person in Minnesota.
If you need to register or to update your registration for any reason (for example, if you have moved or have not voted in four or more years) when you vote, you will need to show proof of residence to vote. Proof of residence includes:
- A Minnesota driver's license, learner's permit, ID, or receipt for any of these that has your current name and address
- A tribal ID with your name, address, photo, and signature
If you don't have one of those, bring a combination of other photo ID and another document that shows your current name and address:
- Accepted photo IDs include an out-of-state driver's license or ID, US passport, US military or veteran ID, Tribal ID with name, signature and photo, Minnesota university, college, technical college, or high school ID;
- Accepted documents to prove your residence include a current residential lease, current student fee statement, or a utility bill or bank statement with a date less than 30 days old.
If you are voting by absentee ballot, you do not need to provide ID when you vote, unless you are casting your absentee ballot in person and registering to vote at the same time you vote.
Offsite links
- State Election Website
- Local Election Office: This is the government office responsible for running elections in your region. Theses are the best people to contact if you have any questions at all about voting in your state.
- Find your polling place
- Absentee ballot tracker tool
- Learn more about absentee voting
- Learn more about early voting