Voting in Minnesota, 2026

Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.

Right nowEarly voting is open in Minnesota through Monday, November 2.Election Day in 7 days

Every date, in order

Fri, Sep 18 · passed
Early voting begins
Mon, Nov 2 · 6 days
Early voting ends; Last day for mail ballot applications
In-person absentee voting runs from Friday September 18 through Monday November 2, 2026. Absentee applications must be received before Election Day, by Monday November 2, 2026, though applying by October 27 is recommended.¹
Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
Election Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arrive
Voters can register and vote in person at the same time during early voting or on Election Day. Mail and online registration closes Tuesday October 13, 2026. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.¹
Wed, Nov 11 · 15 days
County/Local canvass
Counties canvass eight days after the election, by November 11.²
Fri, Nov 13 · 17 days
County/Local certification
County/Local results must be certified by Friday, November 13, 2026. Certified results must be submitted to the Secretary of State within 10 days of Election Day.³
Thu, Nov 19 · 23 days
State canvass; State certification
The statewide canvass takes place on the 16th day after the election, November 19.²
After certification
Deadline to contest the result
A contest must be filed within seven days after the canvass is complete, or after a recount is certified.⁴

Questions people ask about voting in Minnesota

Q. When does early voting end in Minnesota?

In-person absentee voting runs from Friday September 18 through Monday November 2, 2026.

Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Minnesota?

Voters can register and vote in person at the same time during early voting or on Election Day. Mail and online registration closes Tuesday October 13, 2026.

Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Minnesota?

Absentee applications must be received before Election Day, by Monday November 2, 2026, though applying by October 27 is recommended.

Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Minnesota?

Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Q. Who certifies the election in Minnesota, and by when?

The county canvassing boards--which consist of the county auditor, the court administrator, the mayor or town board chair of the largest municipality and two appointed members--tabulate the county totals and send them to the Secretary of State. County/Local results must be certified by Friday, November 13, 2026. Certified results must be submitted to the Secretary of State within 10 days of Election Day. The State Canvassing Board--which consists of the Secretary of State, two Supreme Court justices and two district court judges chosen by the Secretary of State--receives the results from the Secretary of State prepares the statewide canvass and certifies the results. The State Canvassing Board meets on the 16th day after the election to certify, November 19, 2026.

Q. What happens after the count in Minnesota, and when is there a recount?

No certificate of election is issued until seven days after the canvassing board declares the result, and if the canvassing board conducts a recount, no certificate is prepared or delivered until the recount is completed. In a contest, the court may invalidate and revoke the certificate as provided in chapter 209.

Q. How long is there to contest an election in Minnesota?

A contest must be filed within seven days after the canvass is complete, or after a recount is certified.

Sources

Vote.org, Minnesota Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/minnesota/
NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
nass.org, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
boltsmag.org, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
multistate.us, https://www.multistate.us/elections/certification-101

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