Home › Minnesota › How-To Guide
Minnesota · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Auditor / City or Township Election Office (local level) / Minnesota Secretary of State (state level)
Details

What you need to know

Fee
Free ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Approximately 21 days before Election Day (online by 11:59 PM; mail received by 5:00 PM; in-person at election office) ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: YES - at your polling place through 8:00 PM Election Day CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: mnvotes.gov EARLY VOTING (ABSENTEE): Minnesota offers NO-EXCUSE absentee voting - any registered voter may vote by mail or in-person early beginning 46 days before Election Day at county election offices; 24-hour drop boxes available in many locations; absentee ballot applications due day before Election Day; voted ballots due 8:00 PM Election Day; last Saturday before Election Day and day before Election Day have mandatory absentee office hours ONLINE OPTION: Yes - mnvotes.gov (registration); absentee ballot applications also available online WHERE TO GO: mnvotes.gov; County Auditor; city election office; DVS (automatic registration); polling place on Election Day for same-day registration
Online Option
Yes - mnvotes.gov (registration); absentee ballot applications also available online
Where to Go
mnvotes.gov; County Auditor; city election office; DVS (automatic registration); polling place on Election Day for same-day registration
County-specific variations apply

Voter registration and elections administered by County Auditors and city/township election offices in Minnesota's 87 counties and ~2,600 municipalities. Election Day registration available at your assigned polling place - NOT the county auditor on Election Day. Metro counties (Hennepin/Minneapolis, Ramsey/St. Paul, Dakota, Anoka, Washington) have multiple absentee voting locations. Contact your specific county auditor for early voting locations and hours.

Minnesota Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Minnesota has ELECTION DAY VOTER REGISTRATION - register and vote on Election Day at your polling place.
  • NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING: all registered voters may vote by mail or early in-person; no reason required.
  • AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION through DVS (driver's license/ID): opt-out available within 20 days.
  • Pre-registration available at age 16; becomes active voter at 18.
  • FELONY CONVICTION: As of June 1, 2023, Minnesota restored voting rights upon release from incarceration - parole and probation do NOT prevent voting; only those currently incarcerated for a felony cannot vote.
  • No photo ID required at the polls in most circumstances (Minnesota rejected voter ID constitutional amendment in 2012); vouching system available for those without required documents.
  • Residence requirement: 20 days in Minnesota before Election Day (shorter than most states).
  • Polls open 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM; anyone in line at closing must vote.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Minnesota Secretary of State - sos.mn.gov/elections-voting | 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) | mnvotes.gov; County Auditor (varies by county)