Voting in Minnesota

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All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail in Minnesota; no excuse is needed.

Minnesota offers early voting. Voters do not need an excuse to vote early in Minnesota. For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during their normal business hours starting 46 days before the election.

Minnesota has open congressional and state primaries. You can only vote for candidates from one political party. If you vote for candidates from more than one political party, your votes will not count. You decide when you vote which one of the parties you will vote for—Minnesota does not have political party registration.

Minnesota also has open presidential primaries. Voters must request the ballot of the party of their choice. If a voter refuses to select a party, they will not be able to vote in the presidential nomination primary.

17-year-olds cannot vote in the primary election even if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

ID is not required to vote in Minnesota, with the exception of federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requirements for first-time voters.

If you need to register or update your registration, or you have not voted in four years or more, you will need to show proof of residence before you vote in Minnesota. Valid forms of proof of residence include:
- ID with current name and address, including: valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID, or a receipt for any of these; Tribal ID with name, address, photo and signature
- Photo ID and a document with current name and address (see lists below)
- Registered voter who can confirm your address
- College student ID with housing list
- Valid registration in the same precinct
- Notice of Late Registration
- Staff person of a residential facility
- A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. This is known as 'vouching.' A registered voter can vouch for up to eight voters. You cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for you.
- If you registered to vote within 20 days of the election, you may get a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. Bring it with you and use it as your proof of residence to register.
- If you live in a residential facility, a staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address. This is known as 'vouching.' A staff person can vouch for all eligible voters living in the facility.

If you’re using a combination of a photo ID and a document with your current name and address, the following are acceptable photo IDs (the ID can be expired):
- Driver's license, state ID or learner’s permit issued by any state
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military or Veteran ID
- Tribal ID with name, signature and photo
- Minnesota university, college or technical college ID
- Minnesota high school ID

If you’re using a combination of a photo ID and a document with your current name and address, the following are approved documents with your current name and address (these can be shown on electronic device):

- Bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for:
- Phone, TV or internet
- Solid waste, sewer, electric, gas or water
- Banking or credit card
- Rent or mortgage
- Residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day
- Current student fee statement