Minnesota voter registration closes Oct 13 for the November 3, 2026 election. Every deadline — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.
Look up your own ballot and polling place →
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.
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.
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).
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.
We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:
Every date above was read from the Minnesota election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/201.061
received electronically through the secretary of state's secure website no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/203B.04
an application for absentee ballots for any election may be submitted at any time not less than one day before the day of that election
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/203B.08
If delivered in person, the signature envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 5:00 p.m. on election day. ... Signature envelopes received on election day after 8:00 p.m. shall be marked as received late
https://sos.mn.gov/media/nskph2v4/2026_high-school-students.pdf
VOTE EARLY Sept. 18 - Nov. 2