Elections 411

Voter Registration

Voters may register using a paper form, an online voter registration form on the Secretary of State’s website, or when applying for a new or updated driver’s license. Beginning soon, an individual will be registered to vote if they are eligible to vote under MN statute when they properly complete and submit an application through the Department of Vehicle Services (DVS), with proof of United States citizenship. Voters will be sent a card to allow them to opt-out of registering to vote.

When someone registers to vote through any process, they have to show two basic things: that they are who they say they are, and they live where they say they live. If an individual does not have an approved ID or Social Security number, local election officials must “reasonably conclude” the person is eligible to vote using available information to verify their name and DOB. When registering to vote, applicants are also required to affirm, under penalty of law that they are:

• A U.S. citizen

• At least 18 years old on Election Day (16 & 17 year olds can pre-register)

• A resident of Minnesota for 20 days

• Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction

• Not under a court order that revokes their right to vote

When a voter registration application is received, county election officials review public records to ensure that a voter is validly registered to vote, look into challenges, and address any discrepancies in voter registrations. Register to vote online or check your registration here.

Since 2023, 16 and 17 year olds have been able to pre-register to vote.  This expanded the existing allowance for 17 year olds to register if they would be 18 years old at the next election.  Those who are under 18 and pre-register to vote are not added to the list of eligible registered voters in SVRS until they are 18 and their eligibility is verified by election officials.

Those who register to vote on the day they vote using election day registration are allowed to vote based on the review of eligibility at the polling place by election judges.  Local election officials confirm the individual’s eligibility to register and vote after election day.

A 2018 audit conducted on voter registration by the independent Office of the Legislative Auditor did not find significant numbers of ineligible voters, nor recommend any additional restrictions to voter access. See below for the report and results.

Minnesota is exempt from the use of provisional ballots as required by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 since we have had election day registration since 1974. Learn more about why this is specifically not required by law.