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Minnesota’s primary election is less than two weeks away and MPR News is here to answer any voting questions you may have.

Primary election day is on Tuesday, Aug. 11, while early voting in person and by mail is happening now.

Learn more about when and where to vote, how to register, what will be on your ballot, how to vote early or by absentee ballot and more.

Where can I find a list of candidates and the issues on the ballot for my area? 

MPR News’ Voter Guide will show you which races, candidates and ballot questions are on your ballot. Enter your voter registration address at 

Early voting by mail or in person is open until Aug. 10 for the primary election. Primary Election Day is on Aug. 11. 

Early voting for the General Election opens Sept. 18. That can be done by mail or in person at certain locations by Nov. 2. 

Register in advance by Oct. 13 to save time on election day. The General Election is on Nov. 3. 

For in-person voting, polling places are usually open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some polling places in towns with fewer than 500 residents will not open until 10 a.m. because they are not required to open until then. 

As long as you're in line by 8 p.m., you can vote. 

Early voting allows you to cast your ballot directly into a ballot counter before Election Day. Ballots become available 46 days before an election. 

If you’re interested in voting early and in person, you can find an early voting site through the 

Can I go to the early voting site and fill out a ballot there or do I have to request a ballot first?

You do not need to request beforehand or bring a ballot to vote at an 

. Election officials will provide you with a ballot to complete that day. 

If you are not already registered to vote, you can do so at the polling location if you show proof of residence. 

. You can find both Election Day polling places and locations for early, in-person voting.

How do I register to vote? How do you register as a first-time voter?

You should register to vote with your home address. If you will be away from your registered address on Election Day, you can 

registering to vote without a permanent address

 can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.   

In Minnesota, voters can register anytime through Election Day:  

If you are registering to vote at a polling place on Election Day, you will need to provide proof of residence. Some 

, visit the Secretary of State’s website. 

I moved, and I haven’t had a chance to update my license. Which address do I use to register to vote?

It depends on the circumstances of your move, according to the 

How and where do I find out if I'm still registered to vote?

You can check your voter registration status by filling out the 

secretary of state’s voter registration form.

Absentee ballots are sent to a voter’s residence after they request it through their registration. An absentee ballot will come with instructions.

You will need a witness when you complete your absentee ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. For your ballot to be accepted, the witness portion must be completed.

Return the absentee ballot and forms right away. Your vote will not count if it is received after Election Day.

When will I receive my absentee voting paperwork?

Once you apply, your application must be processed by your local election office.

check your application and ballot’s status here

If you are interested in applying for an absentee ballot, you can do that 

. If you would prefer to fill out this information on paper, you can do so by 

printing this PDF and submitting it to your local elections office

Note: As we get closer to Nov. 5, remember that absentee ballots and forms must be received by Election Day.

Who can be a witness for my absentee ballot?

Your witness must sign and write their address on the signature envelope. Notaries write their name and title, sign the signature envelope, and mark their notary stamp.

Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s 

The site notes that it “updates nightly, and your ballot may take several days to appear after processing.”

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Election Day is approaching quickly. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions MPR News readers submitted about the upcoming election. Learn more about when and where to vote, how to register, voting early and absentee ballot details and more. 

The voting process: Answers to your voting and election questions in Minnesota

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