Elections
Minnesota 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The Minnesota 2026 congressional primary is August 11, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Primary Election · August 11, 2026
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the Minnesota 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in Minnesota are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View Minnesota representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
Minnesota's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Tina Smith (D) — retiring; open seat. Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
Minnesota's Primary System: Partisan Open Primary
Minnesota holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
Minnesota 2026 Election Key Dates
| August 11, 2026 | Primary Election |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in Minnesota
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare Minnesota's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Minnesota primary election in 2026?
The Minnesota 2026 congressional primary is August 11, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the Minnesota primary if I'm not registered with a party?
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day.
What is on the Minnesota 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in Minnesota are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Tina Smith (D) — retiring; open seat. Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does Minnesota use?
Minnesota holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
When is the Minnesota voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Check the Minnesota Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the Minnesota general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.