In the first five weeks of voting, local election officials in Minnesota have distributed 696,364 absentee and mail ballots. As of close of business on October 22, a total of 241,348 voters cast their ballots in person, and 177,841 voters returned their ballots by mail – for a total of 419,189 ballots cast since voting began on September 18.
Early voting for the 2026 Election is far outpacing voting in the 2022 midterm elections. In 2022, over the first five weeks of voting 282,277 Minnesotans cast their ballots in-person or by mail. In 2022, local election officials distributed 558,300 absentee and mail ballots during that same period.
The Office of the Secretary of State will update absentee voting data each week through the fall.
Weekend Voting Hours Start Tomorrow
Starting on October 24, 2026, there will be extended early voting hours. Early voting allows voters to place their ballot directly into a ballot tabulator at their local election office. Find an Early Voting location.
Early voting locations at the Polk County Government Center in Crookston will offer extended voting hours on the following days:
- Saturday, October 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 27 open until 7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, November 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, November 2 open until 5 p.m.
Same Day Voter Registration
The deadline to register to vote before the election has now passed. Minnesotans can register to vote when they vote early or on Election Day, with proof of identity and residence.
Voting by Mail
As of October 22, there are more than 260,000 absentee and mail ballots that have not yet been returned. Voters are encouraged to send their ballots back by mail as soon as possible. Voters can also deliver their absentee or mail ballot to their local election office.
Absentee ballots returned in-person must be received by local election offices by 5 p.m. on Election Day. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters in exclusively vote-by-mail jurisdictions may return their ballot either in person or by mail by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Any ballots received after these deadlines will not be counted.
Voters can track their ballot at mnvotes.gov/trackmyballot.
Voting Information
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State offers online interactive tools for voters to check their registration, request an absentee ballot, and track their absentee or mail ballot in 11 languages.
General voting information is also available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Lao, Oromo, Khmer, Karen, and Amharic.
Election Call Center
Voters can reach the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State at 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) or by texting 651-217-3862. Staff are available to answer questions about voting Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and during extended voting hours.
