MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | More Than 157,000 Minnesotans Cast Ballots Before Tuesday’s Primary

More than 157,000 Minnesota voters had cast ballots by Thursday ahead of the August 11 primary election. Voters still have opportunities to vote early through Monday or at their polling places on Tuesday.

ST. PAUL, MN (August 7, 2026)  More than 157,000 Minnesotans had already voted as of Thursday in advance of the state’s Tuesday, August 11, primary election, according to election data reported by CBS News Minnesota.

The primary will determine which candidates advance to the November 3 general election in races for federal, state and local offices.

Minnesota’s early-voting period began June 26 and continues through Monday, August 10. This is the first statewide election cycle in which voters can use Minnesota’s new direct-balloting process during the final weeks before Election Day.

Direct balloting now available

Direct balloting allows an eligible voter to complete an absentee ballot and place it directly into a ballot-counting machine at an authorized early-voting location.

The process differs from the earlier portion of absentee voting, when completed ballots are secured in envelopes for later processing.

Direct balloting began July 24 and will remain available through Monday. Early-voting locations generally must be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 8, and until 5 p.m. Monday, although voters should confirm the hours and location established by their county or municipality.

Polls open Tuesday

Election Day polling places will be open Tuesday, August 11. Minnesota voters who are in line by 8 p.m. are permitted to cast a ballot.

Minnesota also allows eligible residents to register at their polling place on Election Day. Those registering should review the state’s identification and proof-of-residence requirements before arriving.

Voters can find their polling place, view a sample ballot and check registration information through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s election website.

Primary voting rules

Minnesota does not require voters to register with a political party. During a partisan primary, however, voters must select candidates from only one political party’s column.

Voting across multiple party columns can invalidate the partisan portion of a ballot.

The Republican primary for governor includes House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls among the major candidates. On the Democratic-Farmer-Labor side, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are competing in a prominent U.S. Senate primary.

Additional congressional, legislative, county, municipal and nonpartisan races vary according to a voter’s address.

Preparing to vote

Election officials encourage voters to review their sample ballot before voting, especially because primary ballots may include offices that have received little statewide media attention.

Residents voting by absentee ballot should also make sure their completed ballot is returned by the legal deadline. Ballots that arrive after the deadline cannot be counted, even if they were mailed earlier.

The strong early participation does not necessarily predict final turnout or the outcome of any race. It does indicate that a substantial number of Minnesotans are choosing to vote before Election Day as the state implements its expanded direct-balloting system.

Official voter information:

https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/how-elections-work/primary-election/

https://www.sos.mn.gov/about-the-office/news-room/voting-in-the-primary-election-begins-june-26/

https://sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/voting-locations-before-election-day/

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