Minnesota Voting, Election Day Frequently-Asked Questions Answered

Election day is this Tuesday (November 3), with a lot on the ballot across Minnesota.

While the 2026 election is not a presidential election, a lot of federal, state, and local offices are on the ballot, including the position of Minnesota Governor and one of the state's two federal Senate seats.

As you get ready to vote - maybe even for the first time (or for the first time in a long time), here are the important things to know:

What is on the ballot in Minnesota in 2026?

When it comes to Minnesota's representation at the federal level, all seats for the U.S. House of Representatives are on the ballot, as is the case every two years. In addition, one of Minnesota's two U.S. Senate seats is also on the ballot. Senate seats are 6-year terms, and the two seats have terms that start and end in different years, which is why only one seat is being voted on this year.

On the statewide level, voting for Minnesota's next Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary ot State, State Auditor, and Attorney General is happening this year. In addition, state senate and state representative seats, as well as judicial seats, are also on the ballot.

There is also a state constitutional amendment on the ballot this year, asking a question related to school funding. You can learn more about this proposed amendment here.

At a more local level, a number of county, city, township, and school board positions and questions are on ballots across the state.

You can see exactly what is on your ballot ahead of going to the polls by visiting the Minnesota Secretary of State's Minnesota Voting Portal and entering your address to see all of the races and questions on the ballot where you live.

How do I register in Minnesota?

Registering online ahead of time is available prior to the election, but it is now too late to do this for the 2026 election. Voters can still register on election day at your polling place if you are not already registered.

The State of Minnesota passed automatic voter registration as part of the driver's license/state ID renewal process in 2023, so if you've renewed your state ID or license since then, you may be registered already. You can verify that here.

If you are not registered, you can do so when you show up at the polls. You'll need an ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) and approved proof-of-residency document (phone/eletric/internet/etc.) to register. You can see all of the options here.

Where do I vote in Minnesota?

If you didn't vote by mail/absentee, finding your polling place can be done through the Minnesota Secretary of State's polling place finder. You'll need to enter your home address to see your precise polling place.

When can I vote in Minnesota? When do polls open and close in Minnesota?

Election day voting is available at polling sites around Minnesota from 7 am until 8 pm for this year's election. Towns with fewer than 500 residents may have a later start time, but most polls follow those hours around Minnesota.

If you are in line at 8 pm when polls are supposed to close, you will still be allowed to vote. Workplaces are required to give employees time to vote if they choose to do so during work hours.

What else do I need to know about voting in Minnesota?

There are several other things to be aware of. Among them, you are not allowed to wear or bring campaign materials to the polling place; you cannot initial, sign, or mark your ballot to identify it as your own, and while it is not illegal, you are discouraged from taking photos or videos in the polling place

You can see all of the polling place rules to be aware of here.