Absentee voting is underway for Minnesota’s Presidential Nomination Primary on March 5.
During absentee voting, voters may request an absentee ballot, complete it according to the enclosed instructions and return it in the envelopes provided. Absentee ballots must arrive by the primary election day.
Voters will select their preferred political party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 general election. Unlike other elections, voters must declare a party choice and will receive a ballot with candidates only representing one party.
In 2024, there are three major political parties in Minnesota — Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Republican and Legal Marijuana Now. A voter’s party choice is private data, but state law allows the information to be shared with the political party chairs. A voter’s party choice is not attached to public voting records.
The deadline to pre-register for the primary is Feb. 13. Voters can still register to vote at their polling place on the primary election day.
Early voting for the presidential primary begins Feb. 16. During early voting, also known as direct balloting, voters can request an absentee ballot in person at the county service centers and place their completed ballot in a machine tabulator, similar to the process on Election Day.
Early voting is available at the Dakota County Administration Center in Hastings, the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul and the Western Service Center in Apple Valley. Hours are Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. County buildings will be closed Feb. 19 for Presidents Day.
The presidential primary does not take the place of political party precinct caucuses. They are scheduled for Feb. 27.
To learn more about the presidential nomination primary, visit www.mnvotes.org, search presidential primary. Find your polling place at www.pollfinder.sos.mn.gov.