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Early voting starts Friday in Minnesota. Here's what to know

By Alex Derosier, Pioneer Press The Tribune Content Agency

Updated June 25, 2026 7:00 PM

A man drops his ballot into the ballot box as early voting continues at Lakeville City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Minnesota. Starting Friday, June 26, 2026, the first ballots can be cast in Minnesota’s 2026 elections as early voting begins ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Voters will pick party nominees for offices including U.S. Senate and governor for the November general election. (John Autey/Pioneer Press/TNS) John Autey TNS

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Starting Friday the first ballots can be cast in Minnesota's 2026 elections as early voting begins ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Voters will pick party nominees for offices including U.S. Senate and governor for the November general election.

With ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump to change election laws in what could be a bruising midterm year for Republicans, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said he was confident that any potential federal challenges to current election rules wouldn't interfere with the state's current voting rules.

Simon, a Democrat who serves as the state's top elections official, told reporters Thursday that he believed this week's federal court decisions on election cases, including a Massachusetts district court ruling blocking a Trump administration effort to restrict the availability of mail-in ballots and create a voter list, would limit disruptions in Minnesota elections.

"All three rulings have affirmed there will be no changes to Minnesota election law this year," Simon told reporters during a briefing at the state Capitol.

"It seems unlikely to me, just procedurally, that that's going to be tipped or turned over or reversed in time for the election," he later said of the Massachusetts decision on voting by mail. "The way I look at it, that is as close to a final word as we're going to get for the 2026 election cycle."

A federal judge this week also blocked a Trump executive order requiring voters to present proof of citizenship to vote.

-What's on the ballot

Early voting in Minnesota begins 46 days ahead of an election. The Republican and Democratic-Farmer Labor winners in the Aug. 11 primary will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

The following offices are on the ballot statewide: governor and lt. governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general, secretary of state and state auditor. Primaries are also taking place in Minnesota's eight Congressional districts and in a handful of its 201 state House and Senate districts.

-Governor

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the endorsed DFL candidate for governor and the overwhelming favorite to win. Kobey Layne, who sought the DFL endorsement at the party convention, also is on the ballot.

Candidates in the Republican Primary for governor with the most demonstrated support so far include state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell and GOP-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls.

-Senate

The DFL Senate primary has six candidates, but much focus is on the highly competitive race between U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who won the DFL endorsement after Craig skipped the convention in May.

Top candidates seeking the GOP nomination for Senate are Republican-endorsed Adam Schwarze, a former Navy SEAL, former sportscaster Michelle Tafoya, and 2024 GOP U.S. Senate candidate and former NBA basketball player Royce White.

-Other offices

Simon, who is seeking a fourth term as secretary of state, and Keith Ellison, who is seeking a third term as attorney general, are the only DFL candidates for those offices. Zack Filipovich is the only DFL candidate for auditor.

Ronald Schutz is the only Republican candidate for attorney general. Former judge, state legislator and Hennepin County Commissioner Tad Jude, who has the GOP endorsement, and Wendy Phillips are the Republican choices for secretary of state.

Auditor candidates appearing on the Republican ballot include Will Finn, GOP-endorsed Nate George and 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen.

-Find out more about the candidates

To read more about candidates for statewide offices go to https://www.twincities.com/tag/2026-election.

-How to vote

Unlike many other states, Minnesota does not require party registration to participate in a primary. However, voters can only vote in one party's primary.

Voters have until July 21 to register to vote, or can register to vote at the polls on the day of the election.

Absentee ballots can be requested from the state and must be received by an elections office by 8 p.m. on the day of the election. Minnesota requires polling places to offer in-person early voting starting 46 days before an election day and until 5 p.m. the day before. Some locations offer expanded hours.

More information on the ballot for your address can be found on the Secretary of State's website at myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/, or by calling 1-877-600-VOTE (8683).

-Eligibility

Anyone 18 or older who is a citizen of the U.S., has been a resident of the state for 20 days before election day, is not currently incarcerated, and hasn't been stripped of the right to vote by a court can vote in Minnesota.

Students who are in college should vote from the address they currently consider home, according to the Secretary of State's Office. If college students visit their parents but no longer consider the address "home," they should register to vote where they live for school.

Out-of-state college students can vote in Minnesota elections if they consider Minnesota home, even if they have out-of-state tuition or have a driver's license from another state.

This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 6:54 PM.