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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Opens Saturday Voting Hours After Accepting 419,189 Ballots in First Five Weeks
New statewide figures show participation ahead of the comparable 2022 period, while voters still have opportunities to register and return ballots before November 3.
SAINT PAUL, MN (October 24, 2026). Minnesota’s first extended Saturday voting day arrives with 419,189 ballots accepted during the first five weeks of voting, according to figures released Friday by the Secretary of State’s Office.
The total reflects activity through the close of business October 22, not a live Saturday count. It includes 241,348 ballots cast in person and 177,841 returned by mail since voting began September 18.
At the comparable point in the 2022 midterm election, 282,277 ballots had been cast. The new figures establish an increase in advance participation; they do not predict final turnout or election results.
Saturday Access Across Local Election Offices
Extended voting hours are scheduled for 9 a.m.–3 p.m. October 24, with additional weekend opportunities October 31 and November 1.
The statewide location directory identifies Coon Rapids City Hall, 11155 Robinson Drive, as a location serving city residents. Brooklyn Park City Hall, 5200 85th Avenue N, likewise serves its city’s residents.
Minneapolis has multiple voting locations with their own dates and hours. Residents should check the city’s current location information rather than assuming every site follows the same schedule.
The Secretary of State’s directory was current as of October 23 and identifies exceptions and residency restrictions. Voters should use the location appropriate to their home address.
Registration Remains Possible
The advance-registration deadline has passed, but eligible Minnesotans may still register when voting early or on Election Day.
Proof-of-residence options include a valid Minnesota driver’s license or state identification showing the current name and address. Other permitted methods include an approved photo identification paired with qualifying address documentation.
The state also permits vouching under specified conditions. For example, a registered voter from the same precinct can accompany a person and sign an oath confirming that person’s address.
Because different documentation combinations carry different requirements, voters should review the official registration instructions before making the trip.
Ballot-Return Deadlines Require Attention
The Secretary of State reported that more than 260,000 distributed absentee and mail ballots had not yet been returned as of October 22.
Ordinary absentee ballots delivered in person must reach the appropriate local election office by 5 p.m. Election Day. Mailed ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. Special rules apply to jurisdictions that conduct elections exclusively by mail.
A postmark alone does not satisfy a receipt deadline.
Voters can check ballot status through Track My Ballot. For questions, the Secretary of State lists 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) and text assistance at 651-217-3862.
The November 3 general election remains ahead. Saturday’s expanded hours provide another opportunity to complete the process before Election Day.
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