Part III: On Voting
How to Vote From Home
NOTE: These instructions provide a basic overview of the process of voting from home (also called voting by mail or voting absentee). If it’s an election year, check elsewhere on this website for any specifics about voting that particular year.
Step 1: Confirm Registration or Register to Vote
If you are registered to vote at your current address (or believe you are), confirm your registration online and/or make edits to your contact information.
If you prefer to register using a paper form or need a form in another language, download a paper form.
To request an application in an alternate format such as Braille, call 1-877-600-8683.
Step 2: Request Absentee Ballot
Download and print a paper application: English version | English large print version (Other languages also available)
To request an application in an alternate format such as Braille, call 1-877-600-8683.
If you are living abroad or are in the military, refer to this page.
Step 3: Vote!
When voting by mail, another registered Minnesota voter or public notary must witness your ballot. They verify your proof of residency. Credit unions and banks often have free public notary services for their customers. College administrative offices might also have a notary who can witness a student's ballot.
Be sure you are using all the envelopes correctly and signing in the right spots, otherwise your ballot may be rejected (don’t worry, if your ballot is rejected, you will be notified).
Once you complete your ballot, place it in the privacy/ballot envelope, which is usually tan.
Complete and sign the white signature envelope and place the privacy/ballot envelope (containing your ballot) inside the signature envelope.
Place the white signature envelope into the white mailing envelope.
Why there are so many envelopes and how they keep your vote secure
Step 4: Return Your Ballot
Option 1: Return your ballot by mail. Mail your ballot back to your local election office using the large mailing envelope provided. This envelope is pre-addressed and does not need a stamp.
Option 2: Return your ballot by hand. You can drop your ballot off in person at your local county election office anytime before 3:00 pm on election day. Call your local election office in advance to check their hours of operation.
Option 3: Return your ballot by hand through a friend. You can have an “agent” deliver your ballot. An “agent” returns a mail ballot by hand that is not their own. When delivered by hand, your ballot must be returned to the local election office (NOT a polling place) by 3:00 pm on Election Day. You agent will need to show identification with name and signature when returning a ballot. A person may return ballots for no more than three voters.
Step 5: Track Your Ballot
Ensure it arrives on time! You can track your absentee ballot online by going to mnvotes.org/track.