Early Voting Starts In Minnesota: Record Ballot Requests Already In Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Early voting is now underway in Minnesota for the Nov. 4 local elections, and Minneapolis is already seeing record participation.

On Sept. 19, the city of Minneapolis mailed out 12,640 requested mail-in ballots—the highest number ever for a municipal election.

Another 351 voters cast ballots in person at the Early Vote Center on the first day. For comparison, the last municipal election in 2021 had just 3,736 ballot requests on the first day and 17,995 requests total. This year’s election already surpasses half that figure in its first week.

Statewide, 38 city and school district regular elections and 79 special elections will appear on ballots this fall. Minnesota’s no-excuse absentee law lets any eligible voter cast a ballot starting 46 days before Election Day.

What’s New This Year

• Registered voters can now request absentee ballots online.
• Absentee ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 4).
• In mail-ballot-only areas, voters still have until 8 p.m. to return ballots.
• Ballots can be returned by mail or hand-delivered to a local election office.

Know Your Rights

• You may take time off work to vote without losing pay, leave, or vacation time.
• You may vote if you are in line before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• You may register to vote on Election Day with proof of identity and residence.
• You may vote if you are eligible and not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.

Request an absentee ballot here.