Can't vote at primary? Complete an absentee ballot

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie reminds voters to vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to get to the polls for the state primary election being held on August 14.

Absentee ballots must be completed and returned on or before August 14 to be counted for the primary.

Eligible Minnesota voters can vote by absentee ballot either by mail or in person for one of the following reasons:

• Absence from the precinct (away from home on Election Day).

• Illness or disability.

• Serving as an election judge in another precinct.

• Religious discipline.

To vote absentee in person, voters must go to their county auditor’s office during regular business hours Monday – Friday until August 10, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, or up until 5 p.m. on August 13.

In-person absentee voting may be offered at many municipal clerk offices as well. If you are not registered to vote, an election official will provide you a voter registration form to complete along with your absentee ballot materials. To successfully register, voters must show proof of residence.

Voters who choose to vote absentee by mail can download and print an absentee ballot application on the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State’s one-stop election information website www.mnvotes.org.

They may also contact a county auditor or municipal clerk directly to obtain one. Upon receipt of your application, election officials will send you a ballot by mail to complete.

Absentee voters who wish to track the status of their ballot to ensure their ballot is counted should use the Absentee Ballot Lookup at www.mnvotes.org.

Absentee voting information for military and overseas voters is available at https://minnesota.overseasvotefoundation.org.

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