Minnesota’s primary election is less than three months away. Are you ready to vote?
This guide will help you understand what the primary election is, determine your voting eligibility, and learn how to register to vote in-person or by mail, how to vote in person or by mail, what you need to bring with you, and where you can find your polling place. All other voting and registration information can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.
What is a primary election?
Primary elections are how political parties choose their candidates for the general election ballot. It also ensures that a party’s candidate is chosen by the people. This is important because there are usually large pools of candidates that have to be narrowed down for the general election. For example, in Minnesota’s race for governor, there are 15 candidates: eight Democrats and seven Republicans. Only one candidate from each party will be chosen during the primary election and those chosen candidates will run against each other in the general election.
Minnesota has an open primary, which means voters of any political affiliation can vote in any party’s primary. For example, someone who is registered as a Republican can vote in the Democratic primary, and vice versa. But, you can only vote in one party’s primary, so choose wisely.
Minnesota’s primary election takes place on August 11.
Voting eligibility in Minnesota
In order to vote in Minnesota, there are eligibility requirements to meet. To vote, you must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day (16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register), a Minnesota resident for 20 days, not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, and not under a court order that revokes your right to vote.
How to register to vote in Minnesota
You can register or update your registration online, by paper form, and at your polling place on Election Day. If you change your address through USPS, you will trigger a registration update.
You can register for the primary election in advance by July 21 to save time at the polls.
To register online, you will need a driver’s license, Minnesota identification card, or the last four numbers of your Social Security number, an email address, and (of course) you’ll need to be eligible to vote in the state.
To register by paper form, you must download the form and either mail it to or drop it off at your county election office or the Secretary of State’s office. You can also request an absentee ballot be mailed to your residence.
To register at your polling place, you need to bring one proof of residence. This could be an ID with a current name and address, a photo ID with a current name and address, a registered voter who can confirm your address (vouching), a photo ID with a student housing list, a valid registration in the same precinct, a note of late registration, or a staff person of a residential facility. You can find your county election office here.
There may be special circumstances for registration if you are a college student, in the military or living abroad, homeless, in a residential facility, fear for your personal safety, or are not sure what residence you should use to vote.
If you need help registering, you can call 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) or visit your county election office.
How to vote in Minnesota
You can vote in-person or by mail for the primary election on August 11.
To vote in-person, you can find your polling place by entering your address here. Polling places are typically open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. If you’re in line by 8 p.m., you will still be able to vote. Depending on where you vote, you may need to bring proof of residence.
To vote by mail, you need a witness, either a US citizen that’s at least 18 years old, or a notary. Anyone can request an absentee ballot here. While there is no deadline to request a ballot, you’ll want to as soon as possible, as your ballot must be received by Election Day. You can track your mail-in ballot here. If you’re dropping off a mail-in ballot in person, it must be delivered to your polling place by 5 p.m. Anyone can drop off your ballot for you. Dropbox locations can be found here.
You can vote early from June 26-August 10. To vote early, bring a valid ID with an updated place of residence.
Stay Informed
To know who’s on your ballot this year, visit Ballotpedia’s Minnesota page. For the key races Courier Minnesota is keeping an eye on, pop over here. Be sure to bookmark and follow Courier Minnesota on the social platform of your choice and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
