Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024. However, Minnesotans can begin casting their ballots after the state’s early voting period begins on Sept. 20. According to state law, voters will have the option to vote early either in person or by mail.
To vote early in person, Minnesotans must visit a designated early voting location. Generally, these locations are either county elections offices or municipal buildings. A full list of in-person early voting locations is available at the Minnesota secretary of state’s website. Minnesotans can vote early in person through Nov. 4, the day before Election Day.
Minnesotans also have the option to vote early by mail. In order to do so, voters must apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to them. Once the absentee ballot application is returned to the proper county election office and approved, an absentee ballot will be sent in the mail. When filling out the absentee ballot at home, voters must get their ballot signed by a witness.
According to the secretary of state, either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary is considered a valid witness.
In turn, Minnesotans have a few options for returning their completed ballot to the elections office that issued the ballot: either returning the absentee ballot by mail, or dropping off the absentee ballot in person. Additionally, voters who are hospitalized, living in a nursing facility, or in other types of special circumstances can have a designated “agent” deliver their ballot on their behalf.
To learn more about the “agent delivery” process, see here.
The Minnesota secretary of state warns that voters should return their absentee ballot “right away” after filling it out because “your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day.” The secretary of state allows voters to track their absentee ballot here.
This year, Minnesotans will cast votes to decide who they want to serve as the next president of the United States. Voters in the North Star State will also choose who they want to represent them in Congress, the Minnesota Legislature, and many local offices.
To learn more about early voting, or voting on Election Day, visit the Minnesota secretary of state’s website.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
