Absentee voting in Minnesota for the 2026 General Election
What you need to know:
Absentee voting for the November 3 general election opens Friday, September 18, and runs through Monday, November 2.
You can vote absentee in person or by mail.
You don't have to be registered ahead of time for either. You can register when you vote in person, or Minnesota will include a registration form with your mailed ballot if needed.
Frequently asked questions about voting absentee in Minnesota
You have two ways to absentee vote before Election Day: in person at your county's election office, or by mail. Here’s some info to help you get started:
When does in-person absentee voting open?
Friday, September 18, running through Monday, November 2. Details are on the SOS's Vote Early In Person page.
Can I vote by mail instead?
Yes. You can apply for a mail ballot online or by paper application, at any point before the election, and return it by mail or drop box. You don't need to visit an office in person for this option.
Who's eligible?
Any registered Minnesota voter. This is no-excuse absentee voting, so anyone can choose to absentee vote. Full eligibility rules are on the SOS's Vote Early In Person page.
Do I need to be registered ahead of time?
No, for either option. Voting in person, you can register when you arrive if you bring proof of residence — see the SOS's register to vote page for accepted documents. Voting by mail, a registration application is included with your ballot materials if you're not already registered.
What happens when I absentee vote in person?
You fill out an application if you haven't already, get your ballot, mark it, and seal it in the return envelope for a ballot board to review later. Step-by-step details are on the Vote Early In Person page.
Do I need a witness to absentee vote in Minnesota?
Yes, but only when you complete your ballot — not to apply. This is true whether you vote in person or by mail. A registered Minnesota voter or a notary needs to sign your envelope. The requirement is explained on the SOS's Vote Early by Mail page.
I heard about something involving the USPS and mail-in ballots. What was that about?
A new federal rule would have added requirements to how states handle mail ballots — things like envelope design and voter-data submission to USPS. It came out of a Trump administration executive order aimed at election oversight. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with roughly two dozen other attorneys general, sued to block it, and a federal court put the rule on hold. On September 14, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to lift that hold, so Minnesota's existing mail voting process remains in effect for November. The litigation is ongoing, so this could change — check the SOS site if you want the latest before you apply.
How can I absentee vote for every election?
You can join the permanent absentee list so a ballot is sent to you automatically before every future election.
Where do I go in SD14 for in-person absentee voting?
Stearns County: Vote Early by Absentee
Benton County: Elections
Sherburne County: Register to Vote / Absentee Ballot Information
Anywhere else in Minnesota, use the SOS's find your county election office tool.
How is this different from Early Voting?
Early Voting is a separate process that opens October 16, where your ballot goes directly into a counter instead of an envelope. We'll cover that closer to its start date.
Can I track my ballot after I turn it in?
Yes! Use the SOS's track your ballot tool to see when it's received, reviewed, and accepted.
