How to vote in the 2024 Minnesota primary election

On Aug. 13, Minnesotans will vote in the 2024 primary election to weigh in on which candidates they’d like to advance to November’s general election.

Here’s what to know about Minnesota’s primary election:

Am I registered to vote?

Check the status of your voter registration through the Minnesota Secretary of State.

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How do I register to vote?

Minnesotans can register to vote in person at their polling place on Election Day. Proof of residence is required, though there are options to prove residence beyond an ID with your current address. Here’s how to prove residence for same-day voting. You can register to vote online or update your voter profile here.

What if I work on election day?

Minnesotans have the right to take time away from work to vote without losing pay or having to forfeit sick or vacation time. Workers can show employers a letter from the Secretary of State that explains this.

What if I am unable to vote in person?

Early voting for the primary elections is already open. Frequently asked questions can be answered here. Minnesota also offers absentee ballots and mail ballots for eligible voters. Mail and absentee ballots must be mailed and returned by election day or turned in in person by 8 p.m. on election day. You can see more instructions here.

You can request a mail-in ballot for federal and county elections by filling out this form. For city, town or school district elections, send a completed absentee ballot application to your local city, town or school clerk. A blank absentee ballot application can be found in this form. To complete this form, you will need to provide your ID number (driver’s license or state ID card) and an email address.

Where do I vote?

Here’s how to find your polling place. This may have changed from the last time you voted, especially with Minnesota’s recent redistricting where precinct boundaries were redrawn.

When do I vote?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 13. You can check your local polling place for details specific to that location.

What should I bring to the polling place?

If you’re currently registered to vote, you don’t need to bring identification. If you’ve changed your address or haven’t voted in four years, you’ll need to update your registration with proof of residence.

What’s on the ballot?

That depends on where you live in Minnesota. Minnesota’s primary election ballots have separate sections for partisan and nonpartisan races. On the partisan ballot, voters choose a party and choose candidates only within that party. Nonpartisan races can include county sheriffs, county attorneys and school board members who are not separated by political parties.

The best way to find everything on your ballot is to plug in your address and see a sample ballot from the Minnesota Secretary of State website.