MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Early Voting Opens Across Minnesota for Aug. 11 Primary as State Launches Expanded Voting Options

ST. PAUL, MN (June 26, 2026) Minnesota voters can begin casting ballots Friday for the Aug. 11 state primary, marking the start of a 46-day voting period that gives eligible residents multiple ways to participate before Election Day.

Beginning June 26, voters may cast absentee ballots either by mail or in person, continuing Minnesota's long-standing practice of providing no-excuse absentee voting for all eligible voters. The early voting period runs through Monday, Aug. 10, one day before the statewide primary on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The primary will determine the nominees who advance to the Nov. 3 general election for federal, state and many local offices.

The opening of absentee voting marks the first major election milestone of the 2026 statewide election cycle, which includes contests for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, all eight of Minnesota's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, one U.S. Senate seat, the Minnesota Legislature and numerous county, municipal and school district offices, depending on where voters live.

Minnesota law requires absentee ballots to become available 46 days before each state primary and general election, allowing voters flexibility to cast ballots well before Election Day if they prefer to avoid potential scheduling conflicts, travel or long lines.

Multiple Ways to Vote

Eligible Minnesotans have several options for participating in the primary election.

Residents may request an absentee ballot online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, receive their ballot by mail, complete it at home and return it by mail, by authorized delivery or directly to their local election office. State election officials recommend submitting absentee ballot applications by Tuesday, July 28, to allow sufficient time for ballots to be mailed, completed and returned before Election Day. Ballots must be received by the appropriate election office no later than 8 p.m. on Aug. 11 in order to be counted.

Voters may also vote absentee in person beginning Friday by visiting their county election office or another designated absentee voting location. Election officials will provide the ballot, and voters complete the absentee voting process on site.

This election cycle also marks the first statewide primary in which Minnesota will implement its newer direct-ballot early voting system.

Beginning Friday, July 24, or 18 days before the primary, participating jurisdictions will transition to traditional early voting using tabulators similar to those used on Election Day. Rather than completing an absentee ballot envelope, voters who use this option will check in at an early voting location, receive their ballot and feed it directly into a ballot tabulator. The process closely mirrors voting on Election Day while allowing ballots to be cast ahead of time.

Understanding Minnesota's Open Primary

Minnesota operates under an open primary system, meaning voters are not required to register with a political party before participating.

Instead, each voter selects one political party's primary ballot when voting. While voters may freely choose which party's primary to participate in, state law permits participation in only one party's primary during a given election.

In partisan offices, voters must remain within the same political party's column. Voting for candidates from multiple political parties in partisan races will invalidate votes cast for those partisan contests. Nonpartisan races, including many judicial, municipal and school board contests where applicable, are not subject to those party-line restrictions.

Minnesota does not maintain party registration for voters. Election judges record only that an individual participated in a political party's primary, while the specific votes cast remain protected by the state's secret ballot laws.

High-Profile Offices on the Ballot

The Aug. 11 primary will shape the field of candidates advancing to November's general election.

Statewide, voters will select party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, the open U.S. Senate seat, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor and other constitutional offices. Primary contests will also determine nominees for Minnesota's eight congressional districts and numerous seats in the Minnesota House and Senate where more than one candidate from the same party has filed. Depending on local jurisdictions, voters may also see county, municipal, township, judicial or school board contests on their ballots.

Election officials encourage voters to verify their registration status, review a sample ballot and confirm early voting locations before casting a ballot. Residents who are not yet registered may still register when voting in person by presenting acceptable proof of residence under Minnesota law. Advance voter registration for the primary remains available through Tuesday, July 21.

Minnesota has consistently ranked among the nation's highest-turnout states, a distinction often attributed to policies such as same-day voter registration, no-excuse absentee voting and an extended early voting period that provides residents with multiple opportunities to participate in the democratic process.

For information on voter registration, absentee ballot applications, ballot tracking, sample ballots and early voting locations, residents may visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's election website or contact their county elections office.

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