Absentee and early voting set to open in Minnesota
Absentee and early in-person voting begin in Minnesota Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, opening options for voters ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.[1]
Absentee ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, and must be delivered to the issuing election office during office hours.[1] Ballots cannot be submitted at polling places, though some counties provide 24-hour drop boxes for returns.[1] Early in-person voting, with ballots processed through tabulators, runs Oct. 16 through Nov. 2 across the state.[1]
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to revive Trump administration rules that would have limited who can receive mailed ballots, leaving those restrictions off the table for the 2026 midterms.[1] That decision means federal limits will not change how Minnesota conducts absentee mail voting this year.
High-profile contests on the ballot include governor and lieutenant governor, a new U.S. senator, attorney general, secretary of state, and the competitive Second Congressional District between Eric Pratt and Matt Little.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Absentee voting in Minnesota begins Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, with ballots due back by 5 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
- Absentee ballots must be returned to the issuing election office during office hours; they cannot be submitted at polling places, though some areas provide 24‑hour drop boxes.
- Early in‑person voting, where ballots are processed through tabulators, runs from Oct. 16 through Nov. 2, 2026.
- The U.S. Supreme Court declined to revive Trump administration rules that would have limited which voters can receive mailed ballots, keeping those restrictions off the table for the 2026 midterms.
- Key Minnesota races this cycle include governor/lieutenant governor, a new U.S. senator, attorney general, secretary of state, and Congressional District 2 (Eric Pratt vs. Matt Little).
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