MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Voters Get Special Saturday Voting Window Ahead of Tuesday Primary

Minnesotans who do not want to wait until Tuesday have an unusual weekend opportunity to cast their primary ballots. State law requires absentee voting locations to remain open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 8, as Minnesota enters the final days before its August 11 primary.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 8, 2026). Minnesota voters have one of their final opportunities Saturday to cast ballots before Tuesday's statewide primary election, with absentee voting locations across the state required to provide special weekend hours.

Under Minnesota's 2026 election calendar, absentee ballot voting locations must be open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 8.

The expanded hours provide a weekend voting option for people whose jobs, caregiving responsibilities, transportation needs or other circumstances make weekday voting more difficult.

The statewide primary will be held Tuesday, August 11.

WHAT MINNESOTANS ARE VOTING ON

The primary determines which candidates advance to the November 3 general election in races where more candidates have filed than can appear on the general-election ballot.

Depending on where they live, Minnesota voters could encounter contests for federal, state, county, judicial and local offices.

Statewide and federal offices potentially appearing on primary ballots include:

• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House
• Governor and lieutenant governor
• Secretary of State
• State Auditor
• Attorney General
• Minnesota Senate
• Minnesota House

Local contests vary considerably by jurisdiction.

In Minneapolis, the primary ballot can also include Hennepin County commissioner contests, county sheriff, county attorney and Minneapolis School Board races.

SATURDAY VOTING IN ANOKA COUNTY

The weekend voting opportunity extends into MinneapoliMedia's North Metro coverage area.

Anoka County lists Saturday, August 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as an extended voting period ahead of the state primary.

The City of Anoka likewise lists voting from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday at its absentee voting locations.

St. Francis residents have another North Metro option. City Hall, 3750 Bridge Street NW, is scheduled to provide additional early voting from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday.

VOTING DOES NOT END SATURDAY

Saturday is not the final opportunity to vote before Election Day.

Minnesota's absentee voting period continues through Monday, August 10.

State election rules require primary absentee voting locations to remain open until 5:00 p.m. Monday, giving voters another opportunity before polls open Tuesday.

Tuesday's primary polling places generally operate from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., although state law allows limited exceptions for certain small non-metropolitan towns and unorganized territories.

VOTERS CAN STILL REGISTER

People who missed Minnesota's July 21 advance voter-registration deadline are not necessarily prevented from participating.

Minnesota allows eligible residents to register at their polling place on Election Day if they provide acceptable proof of residence.

That makes Tuesday more than simply the deadline for casting a ballot. For eligible Minnesotans who have recently moved, never registered or missed the advance deadline, same-day registration keeps participation possible.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Voters should verify their voting location and review their sample ballot before leaving home because ballots differ depending on where a person lives.

The Minnesota Secretary of State's election system allows voters to check their registration, locate their polling place and view the candidates and contests appearing on their ballot.

The state primary is Tuesday, August 11.

For Minnesotans who would rather not wait, however, Saturday provides something particularly valuable: six weekend hours to get voting done before Election Day arrives.

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