MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Brooklyn Park Encourages 16- and 17-Year-Olds to Pre-Register to Vote, Building the Next Generation of Minnesota Voters

BROOKLYN PARK, MN (July 2, 2026)  Long before they are old enough to cast their first ballot, Minnesota teenagers now have an opportunity to take one of the most important first steps in civic participation.

The City of Brooklyn Park is encouraging local youth ages 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote through Minnesota's statewide voter registration system, reminding families that young people can complete the registration process now and be automatically added to the state's active voter rolls when they turn 18.

"Did you know?" the city's recent public awareness campaign asks. "You can pre-register to vote at 16-17, and vote at 18."

The initiative reflects Minnesota's broader effort to cultivate civic engagement among young residents by making voter registration easier, earlier and more accessible. Supporters say the policy helps bridge the gap between classroom civics lessons and real-world democratic participation, allowing future voters to enter adulthood already prepared to exercise one of their most fundamental constitutional rights.

A Head Start on Civic Participation

Minnesota officially opened voter pre-registration to 16- and 17-year-olds under legislation that took effect June 1, 2023, joining a growing number of states that allow future voters to register before reaching voting age.

Under the program, eligible teenagers submit the same voter registration application used by adult voters.

Rather than becoming immediately eligible to vote, their registration is placed into the Statewide Voter Registration System in a pending status until they become legally eligible.

On their 18th birthday, the registration automatically becomes active, eliminating the need to complete another application before their first election. Election officials then mail a confirmation postcard informing the new voter that their registration has been activated and identifying their polling place.

The City of Brooklyn Park says that this simple step ensures young adults are ready to participate when their first election arrives instead of rushing to meet registration deadlines.

"It's a simple step that helps you be ready when it's your time to cast your first ballot," the city's outreach campaign states.

Who Can Pre-Register?

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, applicants must meet the state's standard voter eligibility requirements, with the exception of age.

To pre-register, an individual must:

• Be 16 or 17 years old
• Be a United States citizen
• Be a Minnesota resident who will have lived in the state for at least 20 days before voting
• Not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
• Not be under a court order specifically revoking the right to vote.

Although teenagers may register early, they cannot vote until they are at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, as required under Minnesota law.

Completing the Application

State officials describe the online application as a process that generally takes only a few minutes.

Applicants are asked to provide:

• Their full legal name
• Date of birth
• Residential address
• Citizenship information
• Email address

They must also provide one of the following identification numbers:

• A Minnesota driver's license number
• A Minnesota learner's permit number
• A Minnesota state identification card number
• The last four digits of their Social Security number.

Individuals who do not possess any of those identification numbers are still eligible to pre-register by submitting a paper voter registration application by mail or in person through election officials.

Encouraging Lifelong Voting Habits

Election administrators and civic organizations have increasingly emphasized early voter engagement as a way to strengthen long-term civic participation.

The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office points to research indicating that teenagers who pre-register are more likely to remain engaged in civic life and more likely to vote once they become eligible. Early registration also familiarizes young people with the electoral process before they leave high school, begin college, enter the workforce or move to new communities.

For election officials, pre-registration also improves the accuracy of voter rolls by allowing eligibility and residency information to be verified well before a person's first election.

More Than Voting: Serving Democracy

Minnesota also offers another opportunity for civic involvement before age 18.

Young people who are 16 or 17 years old may apply to become student election judge trainees, serving as paid temporary election workers at neighborhood polling places.

Election judge trainees receive official training from local election officials and assist with voter check-in, ballot distribution and other Election Day responsibilities under the supervision of experienced election judges. Students are generally excused from school to participate, allowing them to gain firsthand experience administering elections while earning compensation for their service.

State officials estimate that as many as 30,000 election judges are needed statewide during major elections, making student participation an important component of Minnesota's election administration system.

A State With a Strong Voting Tradition

Minnesota has long been recognized as one of the nation's leaders in voter participation.

The state has built that reputation through policies that expand access to the ballot, including Election Day registration, no-excuse absentee voting, early voting opportunities and, more recently, youth pre-registration and automatic voter registration through qualifying interactions with state agencies.

Brooklyn Park's campaign reflects that broader commitment by encouraging civic engagement years before young people become eligible to vote.

City officials are also asking parents, teachers, coaches and community leaders to help spread the message.

"Know a teen who's 16 or 17?" the city's campaign asks. "Share this post and help them get ready to vote."

As communities across Minnesota continue looking for ways to encourage civic participation among younger generations, Brooklyn Park's outreach serves as a reminder that democracy often begins well before Election Day. For today's 16- and 17-year-olds, the journey to the voting booth can start now, ensuring that when their first opportunity to vote arrives, they are already prepared to make their voices heard.

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