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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Minnesota: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Minnesota for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Minnesota's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 21 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Sep 18, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- Day before Election Day
- Polls Close
- 8 p.m. CT
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your Minnesota voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
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See rule
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See rule
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Same-day registration
Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day.
Official source →Nov 7, 2028
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Early voting opens
46 days before Election Day Earliest start in the nation (in-person absentee).
Official source →See rule
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See rule
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Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your Minnesota Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Minnesota's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View Minnesota's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Michele Tafoya (R) vs Peggy Flanagan (D).
Minnesota Supreme Court
On the ballot2 seats are on the 2028 ballot. Local judges may be on your ballot too. See the candidates and how Minnesota chooses judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at Minnesota's official election site.
Find your Minnesota representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Minnesota
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 21 days before Election Day.
Minnesota also allows same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Minnesota's official site.
Early Voting in Minnesota
Early voting opens ≈ September 18, 2026 — 46 days before Election Day. It runs through 5 p.m. day before Election Day.
Earliest start in the nation (in-person absentee).
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Minnesota's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Minnesota
Any registered voter in Minnesota may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request deadline: Day before Election Day.
Return rule: Mailed ballots by 8 p.m. Election Day; hand-delivered ballots by 5 p.m. Election Day
Track your ballot: use Minnesota's ballot tracker to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at Minnesota's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Minnesota
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
See the full list of accepted ID at Minnesota's official election site.
Poll Hours in Minnesota
Polls are open until 8 p.m. CT on November 7, 2028.
See how Minnesota's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Minnesota's official election site.
When Minnesota Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County canvassing boards — by about November 11, 2026. Between the third and eighth day after the election.
- Statewide: State Canvassing Board — November 19, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Deadline for the state canvass to begin; certification follows.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Minnesota?
21 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/.
Can I vote early in person in Minnesota?
Yes. Early voting opens around September 18, 2026 (46 days before Election Day) and runs through 5 p.m. day before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Minnesota?
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
When do polls close in Minnesota?
Polls close 8 p.m. CT on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in Minnesota?
Request a ballot (no excuse needed) — Day before Election Day. Mailed ballots by 8 p.m. Election Day; hand-delivered ballots by 5 p.m. Election Day
Is it too late to register to vote in Minnesota?
21 days before Election Day Confirm at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/.
How do I track my mail ballot in Minnesota?
Use Minnesota's ballot tracker (https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abstatus/index) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for Minnesota?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at Minnesota's official election site (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/).