Early voters get their ballots in to avoid lines in final weekend before Election Day
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Lines snaked out the doors of Twin Cities early voting locations Saturday morning.
Many poll-goers told MPR News they went early to skip potentially longer lines on Tuesday.
Early voting for this year’s midterm is at a record high in Minnesota. The secretary of state reported nearly 729,000 voters cast early ballots before Friday.
Early voting ends Monday. Those who haven't yet sent their mail-in ballot can drop it off at the office that sent it by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Voters in mail ballot precincts and those who use agent delivery because of health reasons or living circumstances have until 8 p.m. to get theirs in.
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Here's what early voters had to say:
"The future of my country depends on this," said Louisa Rauth of Bloomington.
"This is going to be one of the most critical elections in our country," said William Rauth of Bloomington.
Early Saturday morning, Dan Nordin, 42, and Katie Munck, 39, of St. Paul ran the Minneapolis Halloween 5K dressed as Pearson's Nut Goodies and Salted Nut Rolls. They headed straight from there to the Ramsey County Library in Roseville to cast their ballots early.
"Voting is always festive. So, we figured, it's a holiday — why not contribute to more festivities?" Munck said.
"We came out here today primarily because my 6-year-old said, 'Mom, we need to vote.' And I said I could vote on Tuesday, or we could vote together today,” said Amy Speare, 37, of East St. Paul. "I told her it's going to be a really long line. It's going to be a really long wait. And she told me, 'It's OK, mom, we can wait.'"
For Craig Ashby, this year's vote is about saving democracy.
"I know that's very grand and big, but that's how I feel this election,” he said.
Jason Moor, Craig’s husband, said one of his voting priorities as a gay man is protecting his marriage.
"I think we've seen now that we can't take for granted the rights that we have — so, casting a vote, being an active participant in the democratic process," Moor said.
Zindzi McCormick of St. Paul brought three generations to the polls: her mother, herself and her baby.
"It's a fun Saturday morning outing," said McCormick, who was looking for an easy way to get to the polls while her mother is on a knee scooter. "Getting to the polls on election day with kids and work and everything — it seemed safer to vote today than on election day."
"Young voting is very important," said Ryan Jacobs, 22, of Bloomington. Jacobs is a college student in Iowa but always makes sure to drive home to Bloomington to cast his ballot. "I think I identify more with this area. I'm probably coming back here after school anyway, so I'd rather vote and influence the policy here than down there."
Kara Pederson voted with both local issues and national politics on her mind.
“First of all, I want to make sure that the amendment passes for more funding for schools,” she said. “But additionally, I just want to see a change in how our country is run.”
"I'm voting for people who want to promote peace and good will toward all of the people in our country," said Anita Gorder of Bloomington.
John Ward of St. Paul cast an early ballot on Friday. He was back at the polls Saturday to help his hospitalized friend cast a ballot.
"They needed an agent to help them vote, so I helped them getting an absentee ballot and [voting] today."
Ward emphasized that everyone who has a right to vote should be able to do so and encouraged others to work with their family, friends and neighbors to ensure those in their community can cast a ballot.
Correction (Nov. 1, 2026): A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the deadline for mail-in ballots. That information has been updated.
