Absentee voting is open for those unable to make it to their polling location on the Aug. 14 State Primary, according to Hennepin County Elections.
Ballots are available through 5 p.m. Aug. 13 for anyone who will be:
- Absent from the precinct,
- Unable to make it to the polling location because of illness or disability,
- Serving as an election judge in another precinct,
- Observing a religious discipline or religious holiday or observance or
- Affected by an eligible emergency declared by the governor or quarantine declared by the federal or state government.
Requesting a ballot
To have an absentee ballot sent to you, print out the appropriate absentee ballot request for Minneapolis. Complete the request and send it in one of these ways:
- By mail: Minneapolis Elections, 350 S. 5th St. Room 1B, Minneapolis MN 55415‐1396
- By fax: 612‐673‐2756
- By e-mail: minneapolisabsentee@minneapolismn.gov
The ballot will be sent out when it’s ready—within one or two days for requests received within 46 days of the election.
Returning the ballot
Mail back the ballot in the prepaid envelope. To be counted, it must be received by 3 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters may also return their ballots in person to the Hennepin County Elections office or the Minneapolis Elections Department by 5 p.m. the day before the election. Hennepin County Elections is located in the Hennepin County Government Center, PSL Level (300 South Sixth St., Minneapolis).
Absentee voters may also have someone else drop off the ballot for them at the Minneapolis Elections Department or Hennepin County Election Department. Ballots returned by someone else are due at 3 p.m. Election Day, and those delivering ballots can’t deliver ballots for more than three voters.
Voting absentee in person
Absentee voters may cast ballots in person at the Hennepin County Elections office. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Saturday before the election and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day before the election.
Voting absentee by agent
Certain people are eligible to have someone pick up a ballot for them and return the ballot within the seven days before an election:
- Patients in hospitals, residential treatment centers, and nursing homes
- Residents of group homes
- Residents of battered women's shelters
- Residents of assisted living facilities
- Voters who are disabled
- Voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons
Voters must:
- Choose an agent they have a preexisting relationship with who is at least 18 years old and not a candidate.
- Complete the “Request for Agent Delivery of an Absentee Ballot” form and have the agent bring that and the ballot to Hennepin County Elections or the Hopkins city clerk. Agents must show identification with their name and signature.
Ballots are available for pickup until 2 p.m. Election Day. They must be returned by 3 p.m. Election Day.
For all voting methods, absentee voters can click here to track the status of their absentee ballots.
