2026 Minnesota election: key dates and how to vote
Minnesota voters will decide races in the 2026 general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with absentee voting open since Sept. 18 and early in-person voting running Oct. 16-Nov. 2.[1]
Early in-person voting now works like Election Day, with voters filling out ballots and feeding them directly into tabulators at at least one site per county.[1] Hennepin and Ramsey counties are offering multiple early voting sites.[1] Absentee ballots can be requested online or by paper, and completed ballots must be received by Election Day or delivered in person by 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 to count.[1] Use of 24-hour drop boxes and third-party ballot return is limited, so check local rules.[1]
Absentee voting opened Sept. 18.[1] Early voting was scheduled to run Oct. 16-Nov. 2 and was set up so voters could complete and tabulate their ballots during the early period instead of waiting until Election Day.[1]
Check your county elections office for site locations, hours, and any local rules or deadlines before you vote.
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📌 Key Facts
- Election Day for Minnesota’s 2026 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with absentee ballots available starting Sept. 18 and in‑person early voting running Oct. 16–Nov. 2.
- Early in‑person voting now works like Election Day, with voters filling out ballots and feeding them directly into tabulators at at least one site per county, including multiple sites in Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
- Absentee voters can apply online or by paper; completed ballots must be received by Election Day or delivered in person by 5 p.m. on Election Day to count, with limited use of 24‑hour drop boxes and third‑party ballot return.
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