Early Absentee Voting begins in Minnesota Friday September 20th

Early absentee voting begins in Minnesota on Friday Sept. 20th and ends November 4th the day before Election Day. If voters plan to submit their ballots early, they must return it by November 4th at 8pm. If voters don’t submit their ballots by then, they’ll need to vote in person on November 5th.

Phil Chapman, the St. Louis County Elections Manager says when it comes to early absentee voting, if you filled out an absentee ballot application and sent it back to the county or your city, you can check it online at mnvotes.org.

“Absentee voting, there’s a couple different ways they can do it via mail. They can request it directly online at mnvotes.org. You can do it at the clerk’s office only if your city offers that service,” Chapman said. “Most of the larger cities in St. Louis County offer absentee voting, but encourage everyone, if you’re not sure, give your clerk a call to see if they do offer that. Otherwise, they could vote in person at the St. Louis County Auditor’s Office in the Duluth courthouse. Or the Auditor’s Office up in the Virginia Government Services Center.”

People in Minnesota eligible to vote can preregister to vote whether or not they plan on voting early.

“With absentee voting, it’s convenient because people can do it on their own time. They can get the ballot delivered directly to their home, fill it out, and then return it,” Chapman said. “Or they can do it in person at the Auditor’s Office or their clerk’s office if they offer that service. It’s helpful for some people because they don’t have to wait in line on election day.”

Although for people planning to register to vote bring with a proof of residence such as a utility bill, or lease agreement, along with a valid form of ID.