In-person voting in Minnesota for the general election

By Laurie Jedamus
Libraries Civic Engagement Committee

Were you planning to vote by mail, but worry that there won’t be enough time to apply for, receive, and return your ballot?

In Minnesota, you can also return your absentee ballot in person, vote early in person before Election Day, or vote in person on Election Day.

Return an absentee ballot in person

I have an absentee ballot, but I want to return it in person instead of mailing it. How do I do that?

1. 1. • Every county in Minnesota has at least one location where you can return your absentee ballot. Ramsey county and Minneapolis have many return locations. See MNVotes.org for ballot return locations in other cities and towns.
      • The deadline to return your ballot in person is 3 p.m. on election day, Nov. 3.
      • You can also drop off ballots for up to three other voters. You will need to show identification with your name and signature when returning a ballot for someone else.
      • You must drop off your ballot in the county it was originally sent from.

Can I drop off my ballot at my polling place on Election Day?

1. 1. • No. This is not allowed under Minnesota law.

Vote early in person

When can I vote early in person?

1. 1. • Early in-person voting started on Sept. 18. You can vote early in person until 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

Where can I vote early?

1. 1. • All voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person with an absentee ballot. Depending on where you live, there may be additional locations.
      • You can vote in person at your county election office.
      • In addition to your county election office, some cities and towns offer in-person absentee voting. Check with the city clerk’s office for the city you live in for more information.

I haven’t registered yet. Can I still register and vote before Election Day?

1. 1. • Yes! While online voter registration has closed, you can still register when you go to your local elections office to vote in person. You will need to show the same proofs of residence that you would use to register on Election Day.

Vote in person on election day

I’m not sure if I’m registered to vote.

1. 1. • Checking your registration status is quick and easy.

If I haven’t registered yet, can I register on Election Day? 

1. 1. • Yes! You will need to verify who you are and where you live. Only approved photo ID and proof of residence may be used.
      • If you don’t have approved proof of residence, you can have another registered voter from your precinct vouch for your identity and place of residence.

Find your polling place 

1. 1. • You must vote in the precinct you live in. Use the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Polling Place Finder to find out where you will vote.

Polling place hours

1. 1. • Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, Nov. 3.

COVID-19 precautions

1. 1. • Polling places have added precautions to keep you safe. All election judges will wear face masks, and most polling places will also offer masks to voters who forget theirs. Other polling place precautions include social distancing, hand sanitizer stations, and frequent cleaning.
      • Curbside voting is available for voters who choose not to enter the polling place.

Transportation

1. 1. • Lyft and Uber will be offering a 50% discount on rides to polling places on Election Day.

Not voting in Minnesota?

1. 1. • Each state handles registration, mail-in, and same day voting a little differently. Use Campus Vote Project to learn about voting procedures for the state where you will be voting.

Additional resources:

1. • Check the Libraries research guide for everything you need to know about voting: z.umn.edu/vote
   • The Minnesota Secretary of State’s website (MNVotes.org) is a great source of information for all things related to voting in Minnesota.
   • Use My Ballot Finder at MNVotes.org to see the candidates and questions that will be on your ballot.
   • Check Ballotpedia for candidates themes, issues, voting history, and more. See Vote Easy for presidential & congressional candidate information and issues.