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Voting in Minnesota’s primary election began Friday as people whose minds were already made up turned in their ballots.

For campaigns, every vote they can secure early frees them up to focus on nudging other potential voters with traditional get-out-the-vote pushes.

There are multiple forms of early voting, and they all lead up to the Aug. 11 primary election that will determine the fall nominees in key races.

Starting 46 days before an election — that’s June 26 for the 2026 August primary — voters can vote absentee by mail or in-person, and they don’t need an excuse to do so. 

Voters can request absentee ballots online or show up in-person to polling places to apply for an absentee ballot, and cast their ballot then and there. Those who vote by mail can even 

guide to absentee voting

“You don’t have to just pop it in the mail, say a prayer, and hope it gets there,” Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said at the Capitol on Thursday. “You can track it like an Amazon or a UPS package, and you can know precisely when it’s been received by your local election office.”

This year’s primary election features several high-profile contests for both Republicans and Democrats in statewide and downballot races. Election officials anticipate higher-than-average turnout this year because of the array of competitive primaries.

Campaigns were pushing Friday to get their backers to cast their votes as soon as possible. Major candidates, including Republican gubernatorial candidate House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, held campaign events to get out the early vote.

Voters can register to vote, request an absentee ballot and find a polling location on the 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Minnesota News

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Election 2026 

Cait Kelley

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Dana Ferguson

Peter Cox

Absentee voting in Minnesota’s primary election started Friday, as campaigns push hard to get their supporters to the polls.

With key races to sort out, early voting for Minnesota’s primary election begins

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