Although Minnesota has fairly permissive voting laws, like not requiring registered voters to provide ID to vote in-person, there are some requirements that can trip up first-time voters, people who haven’t voted recently, and voters who may have difficulty getting to a polling place or mailing their ballot on time

For example, even though registered voters don’t need an ID to vote in person, they do need to vote at their assigned precinct. Every eligible Minnesota voter can vote by mail with a no-excuse absentee ballot, but those ballots need to be verified by an eligible witness to be counted, and they must be received on or before election day.

What to Know About Absentee (Mail) Ballots in Minnesota

• All registered Minnesota voters can request an absentee ballot.
• A completed absentee ballot must be received by the voter’s county or local election office by Election Day (not just post-marked by Election Day).
• You need to have a valid witness fill out the witness section of your absentee ballot for your vote to be counted. Any U.S. citizen who is at least 18 can serve as a witness.

If you do mail in your absentee ballot but change your mind and decide to vote in person, you can still go to the polling place early or on Election Day and vote as long as your absentee ballot hasn’t been counted yet.

You can check Minnesota’s official Ballot Tracker to see its status. Once your ballot has been counted, you can no longer vote in person.

Requesting an Absentee Ballot

1. Go to the online absentee ballot application.
2. Provide the necessary information, including your address, Minnesota driver’s license number, or state ID card number, or the last 4 digits of your SSN (or check the “I don’t have these” box).
3. Submit the application early (preferably several weeks before Election Day).
4. If you prefer, use the downloadable paper application and return it by mail, email, fax, or in-person.

Completing Your Absentee Ballot

1. Once you receive your ballot and signature envelope, follow the instructions and complete your ballot. You can find the instructions here (as well as a large print version).
2. Have a valid witness sign the envelope. The witness can be any U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age on Election Day, or a notary.
3. Place your ballot inside the return envelope exactly as instructed and put it in the mail.

Timing Is Very Important

Only ballots that are received by Election Day are counted. If a ballot is postmarked on Election Day but not received until after Election Day, the ballot will not be counted. If you check the Ballot Tracker on Election Day and it says your absentee ballot has not been received, you may want to go to your precinct’s polling place or early voting site to ensure your vote is counted.

Alternatively, if you have doubts about your ballot arriving on time by mail, you can drop it off in person at your county auditor’s office or a designated early voting site.

What if Your Ballot Doesn’t Arrive or Arrives Damaged?

Request a new ballot as soon as possible. All deadlines still apply, even if the issue wasn’t your fault. If the election is less than a few weeks away, it may be better to just vote early in person or vote in person on Election Day to ensure your ballot is counted.

What if You’re Unable to Deliver Your Absentee Ballot in Person or Mail It?

In special circumstances you may use ‘agent delivery’. This is typically only available to people who are hospitalized, have disabilities that prevent them from getting to a polling place, and those who live in:

• Nursing homes
• Assisted living facilities
• Residential treatment centers
• Group homes
• Women’s shelters

If you don’t have a valid justification for agent delivery, you will need to mail or drop off your absentee ballot or vote in person early or on Election Day.

Can You Fix a Ballot With a Mistake?

The best way to fix a mistake and avoid any issues with your ballot being counted is to request a replacement ballot. Unfortunately, the same deadline rules apply to your replacement ballot. If you don’t have time to get a new ballot and send it in before the deadline, you can:

1. Fully and thoroughly cross out the name of the candidate you accidentally voted for
2. Mark the candidate you want to vote for
3. DO NOT initial your corrections

Early In-Person (Absentee) Voting Period

Every Minnesota voter should have at least one in-person early voting site near them. You can use the state’s polling place finder tool to locate your nearest early voting location. Absentee voting locations are open during normal business hours starting 46 days before an election.

ID and Registration Requirements

Everyone who is a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident of Minnesota (for at least 20 days) is entitled to vote in the state. The only exceptions are citizens who have been convicted of a felony and whose civil rights have not yet been restored. 

Voter Registration

• You can register to vote online in Minnesota. Voter must be a U.S. citizen, resident of Minnesota, and be at least 18 on Election Day. You can check Minnesota’s voter registration website to see if you’re already registered.
• You must have resided in Minnesota for at least 20 days before the election.
• The online registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day, and mailed paper registrations must be received 21 days before the election. However, you can register on Election Day at your polling place or early voting location with proof of residence. If it’s less than three weeks before Election Day, you are better off registering at a local polling place.

ID Requirements for In-Person Voting or Registering

If you are already registered at your current Minnesota address and your name hasn’t changed, you do not need to show ID when you vote in your precinct.

If you are registering in person (including on Election Day) or updating your registration, you must provide proof of residence. This includes:

1. A valid Minnesota driver’s license, state ID, or tribal ID with your current address.
2. A utility bill or rent receipt dated within the past 30 days.

Get Help Protecting Your Voting Rights in Minneapolis–Saint Paul 

If you’ve experienced harassment or intimidation at a polling place or believe your right to vote has been violated, you may want to consult with a civil rights attorney. The lawyer referral counselors at the Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service (MNLRIS) can help connect you with a qualified local lawyer. You can use our self-referral service, request guided assistance online, or call us at 612-752-6699.