Minnesota voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

Minnesota begins sending absentee ballots on Friday, Sept 18, 2026 - 46 days before Election Day. From that day you can vote early by absentee ballot in the mail or in person at your county election office, and ballots go out to everyone on the permanent absentee list.

In-person early (absentee) voting starts Friday, Sept 18 at county election offices. Early voting ends Monday, Nov 2. The Sept 18 - Nov 2 window is statewide (46 days before the election). Starting Oct 16 (18 days before), early voters can put their ballot directly into the tabulator. Each county sets additional locations and hours.

Register online by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 13 (21 days before). After that, register at your polling place on Election Day. Paper registration forms must be received (not just postmarked) by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 13.

Early voting ends Monday, Nov 2. The Sept 18 - Nov 2 window is statewide (46 days before the election). Starting Oct 16 (18 days before), early voters can put their ballot directly into the tabulator. Each county sets additional locations and hours.

Legally you can apply up to the day before the election, but a mailed ballot applied for that late cannot realistically be returned by mail in time; apply early.

Mailed ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you hand-deliver your ballot to the county auditor or city clerk, do so by 5 p.m. on Election Day. Check with your county for drop box closing times.

Advance in-person registration closes 5 p.m. Oct 13, but you can register in person at your polling place on Election Day with proof of residence (or while voting early). Election Day registration at your polling place with proof of residence (ID with current address, documents, or a registered voter vouching).

Applies to Minnesota towns that have not moved their general election to November by resolution or ordinance, not to the whole state. Affidavits of candidacy for the March 9, 2027 town general election may be filed starting Tuesday, December 29, 2026. Affidavits of candidacy must be filed by Tuesday, January 12, 2027; the town clerk's office must be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day.

Applies to Minnesota towns that have not moved their general election to November by resolution or ordinance, not to the whole state. Affidavits of candidacy must be filed by Tuesday, January 12, 2027; the town clerk's office must be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day.

Applies to Minnesota towns that have not moved their general election to November by resolution or ordinance, not to the whole state. Pre-register by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2027 (11:59 p.m. online). You can also register in person at your polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, March 9, 2027.

Applies to Minnesota towns that have not moved their general election to November by resolution or ordinance, not to the whole state. Minnesota towns vote on the second Tuesday in March, which in 2027 is Tuesday, March 9, 2027. A town may instead move its general election to November of an even- or odd-numbered year by resolution or ordinance, so confirm with your town clerk.

Applies to Minnesota cities holding an odd-year November election that nominate candidates at a primary, not to the whole state. Affidavits of candidacy for a city that nominates at the August 10, 2027 primary may be filed starting Tuesday, May 18, 2027. Affidavits of candidacy must be filed by Tuesday, June 1, 2027; the city clerk's office must be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day.

Applies to Minnesota cities holding an odd-year November election that nominate candidates at a primary, not to the whole state. Affidavits of candidacy must be filed by Tuesday, June 1, 2027; the city clerk's office must be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day.

Applies to Minnesota cities holding an odd-year November election that nominate candidates at a primary, not to the whole state. Pre-register by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2027 (11:59 p.m. online). You can also register in person at your polling place on Tuesday, August 10, 2027.

Applies to Minnesota cities holding an odd-year November election that nominate candidates at a primary, not to the whole state. A Minnesota city may hold a municipal primary on the second Tuesday in August of a year in which it holds a municipal general election - Tuesday, August 10, 2027. Not every city holds one, so check with your city clerk.

Applies to Minnesota cities that have adopted odd-numbered-year elections by ordinance, not to the whole state. Pre-register by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 2027 (11:59 p.m. if you register online). You can also register in person at your polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2, 2027.

Applies to Minnesota cities that have adopted odd-numbered-year elections by ordinance, not to the whole state. Minnesota state law fixes the municipal general election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which in 2027 is Tuesday, November 2, 2027. By default cities vote in even-numbered years, so this date applies only to cities whose councils passed an ordinance moving their elections to odd-numbered years - check with your city clerk before relying on it.