Minnesota’s Aug. 11 primary is days away. What voters should check before casting a ballot
Minnesota’s primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 11, and the final deadlines for early and absentee voting arrive this week. Voters can cast ballots early in person or by mail through Monday, Aug. 10, but local hours, ballot-return rules and registration requirements matter.
The state’s required public accuracy testing of voting equipment also must be completed by Saturday, Aug. 8. The testing is open to the public and is one part of Minnesota’s election-security process.
Key dates for the Aug. 11 primary
- Saturday, Aug. 8: Primary absentee-voting locations must be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline for public accuracy testing of voting equipment is also Aug. 8.
- Monday, Aug. 10: This is the final day to apply for an absentee ballot, subject to statutory exceptions. Primary absentee-voting locations must remain open until 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 11: Election Day. Minimum polling hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Certain nonmetro towns with fewer than 500 inhabitants and some unorganized territories may have a later opening time under state law.
The Secretary of State’s calendar says Minnesota election law controls if a later legal change conflicts with the published calendar.
How to vote early
Early voting by mail or in person began June 26 and continues through Aug. 10. Voters may cast an early in-person ballot through their local election office or another authorized location.
Hours and locations can differ by county or municipality. Before going, check the local election office for the correct address, hours, available drop boxes and ballot-return instructions. Do not assume that every early-voting site has the same schedule.
Voters can use the Secretary of State’s sample-ballot tool to review the contests on their ballot and the polling-place finder to locate their Election Day site.
Registration and address changes
The advance registration deadline was July 21, but eligible Minnesotans can still register or update their registration while voting at an early-voting location or polling place on Election Day.
Voters must meet Minnesota’s eligibility requirements, including being a U.S. citizen, being at least 18 on Election Day and having lived in Minnesota for at least 20 days. People registering or updating a name or address must provide the proof of residence required for their situation. The Secretary of State explains acceptable documentation through its registration guidance.
Checking registration before heading out can help identify problems early. Voters who need assistance can contact their county election office or the Secretary of State. The elections office lists 651-215-1440 for the metro area and 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) for Greater Minnesota.
What the primary ballot means
Minnesota does not require political party registration. But partisan primary races are organized by major-party columns, and voters may select candidates from only one major-party column.
Voting for candidates in more than one major-party column can cause those partisan votes not to count. Nonpartisan races, such as some local and school-board contests, are handled separately and do not carry party labels. In those races, voters may choose among the listed candidates.
Absentee ballot deadlines and return rules
Applying for an absentee ballot by Monday, Aug. 10, is not the same as returning a voted ballot. A voter who applies that late should confirm immediately how the ballot will be completed and delivered.
Follow every instruction included with the ballot. Depending on the voter’s situation and ballot type, the process may include a witness or notary requirement. Do not assume that another voter’s requirements apply to your ballot.
Return the completed ballot to the county or local clerk listed on the return envelope. Absentee ballots should not be taken to a polling place. The state’s ballot-tracking tool can show the status of a mailed ballot.
For the Aug. 11 primary, an absentee ballot returned in person by the voter or an agent generally must reach the appropriate office by 5 p.m. on Election Day. If delivered by mail or package-delivery service, it must arrive by 8 p.m. Election Day. Certain agent-delivery absentee ballots also have an 8 p.m. deadline. The ballot must be returned to the office listed in the return address on the envelope.
Delivery timing matters. If a ballot is being mailed, allow time for the carrier to deliver it before the deadline. If a ballot’s status is missing or it is marked rejected, contact the election office that issued it as soon as possible.
What happens before voting equipment is used
Every Minnesota county and municipality conducting an election must hold a public accuracy test of voting equipment at least three days before the equipment is used. The tests must be open to the public and observed by at least two election judges from different political parties.
During the process, election officials create a test deck of ballots, run a zero tape showing no votes have been counted, compare the tape with the ballot contests, and then run the test ballots through the tabulator. Officials compare the machine’s results with the expected results before sealing the test materials and paperwork.
Public accuracy testing is a required accuracy and security check, not a guarantee that no election error is possible. Minnesota also uses federal and state equipment certification, local preliminary testing, documented chain-of-custody procedures and public verification measures such as hand counts of selected precincts and races.
What voters should do now
- Check your registration and address.
- Review your ballot before voting.
- Confirm local early-voting or absentee hours.
- If voting by mail, follow every witness, notary and return instruction included with your ballot.
- Return an absentee ballot to the clerk or election office listed on the envelope, not to a polling place.
- On a partisan primary ballot, vote within only one major-party column.
- If voting in person Aug. 11, verify your polling place and plan to vote during the posted hours.
Residents who want to observe public accuracy testing can ask their county or municipality when and where the test will occur.
Sources
- 2026 Minnesota Secretary of State Elections Calendar
- How to vote in the 2026 Minnesota primary election
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