Quick Summary
Minnesotans have lots of convenient options to choose from when it comes to voting. There's absentee voting, in-person early voting, and of course Election Day on Tuesday, November 5. Let’s share information about how to vote with all Minnesota library patrons.
Early voting is an option for every eligible Minnesota voter. Anyone can apply for an absentee ballot and vote from the comfort of their home. The absentee ballot form – which also allows you to register, if needed – will be sent directly to you and can be returned by mail. Absentee ballot applications – which can be submitted anytime – can be completed online, on paper and returned by mail, or in person at your local election office. The paper application is available in 11 languages.
Absentee became available starting 46 days before Election Day. During this period you can vote early in person using the absentee ballot at designated early voting locations. Every county is required to have at least one early voting location, and many have multiple locations. They must be open during all regular business hours plus the last Saturday before Election Day from at least 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and the day before Election Day until at least 5 p.m. Before the state general election, these additional hours are also required: The Tuesday before Election Day until 7 p.m., the second to last Saturday before Election Day (9 a.m. — 3 p.m.), and the last Sunday before Election Day (9 a.m. — 3 p.m.). Many locations have expanded hours, especially during the week before Election Day.
As of this June, you can request placement on the permanent absentee ballot list and have a ballot mailed to you for every election. Minnesota also has “direct balloting” during the 18 days prior to Election Day. With direct balloting, you fill in a regular ballot – not an absentee ballot – and place it directly into the vote tabulator. Early voting locations will have this option during the last week before Election Day.
Consider doing what 1.9 million Minnesotans did in 2020: Vote early by mail or in person. Go to mnvotes.gov for additional information on early voting and other topics.
Additional support material
- Vote Early, Vote Absentee video.
- Vote Early By Absentee factsheet for placement on community bulletin boards, employee lounges, etc. Print yourself or order bulk quantities, free of charge.
- Fact sheets are available in 11 languages!
Sample Social Media
- Heard enough campaign ads? Be an early voter and tune them out! Go to mnvotes.gov/absentee
to request your ballot. #mnvotes - Don’t get stuck in an Election Day line. Vote early! Go to mnvotes.gov/absentee to request your
ballot. #mnvotes - Don’t let anything get in the way of you casting your vote. Do it today, tomorrow or any time
before Election Day by requesting your ballot at mnvotes.gov/absentee. - A vote by any other name is still a vote: Vote Early. Vote Absentee. Learn more about how you
can vote early at mnvotes.gov. - Already decided who will get your vote? Then be an early voter! You can do it now. Learn more
about how you can vote early at mnvotes.gov. - Did you know you have a right to time off to vote at any point during the 46 day early vote
period? Know your voting rights at mnvotes.gov
