Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Minnesota General Election
Every Minnesota voter will see the statewide races below.
Election Day
U.S. House and local races for Minnesota are coming soon. To see your full ballot now, use Minnesota Secretary of State: Elections & Voting.
Statewide races
On every Minnesota ballot.
Key dates
- Fri, September 18, 2026: Absentee voting beginsAbsentee voting opens by mail and in person at local election offices; no reason is required.
- Tue, October 13, 2026: Voter pre-registration deadlineDeadline to register online (11:59 p.m.) or on paper (5 p.m.). Minnesota also offers Election Day registration at the polls with proof of residence.
- Fri, October 16, 2026: Early voting (direct balloting) beginsFrom this date, voters casting ballots early in person can feed them directly into the ballot counter.
- Mon, November 2, 2026: Last day of early votingAlso the last day to request an absentee ballot.
- Tue, November 3, 2026: Election DayMost polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (some small towns open as late as 10 a.m.); voters in line by 8 p.m. can vote. Same-day registration is available with proof of residence. Mailed absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count.
Sources: Minnesota Secretary of State: Voting in the November 3 General Election Begins September 18 (news release, Sept. 17, 2026); VOTE411 (League of Women Voters): Minnesota voting information; MPR News: The voting process: Answers to your voting and election questions in Minnesota; Minnesota Statutes 203B.081: Locations and methods for absentee voting in person (46-day absentee and 18-day early voting periods); Minnesota Statutes 201.061: Registration on or before election day (21-day pre-registration deadline); Minnesota Statutes 204C.05: Hours for voting; Minnesota Statutes 203B.08: Marking and return of absentee ballots; Minnesota Statutes 203B.04: Application for ballots. Check with your local election office for early-voting hours and locations.