Voter Registration in Minnesota

Minnesota Voter Registration

Voting means having a say in the management of your local, state, and federal government; however, you must register to vote before you can cast your ballot!

Luckily, the Minnesota Secretary of State (SOS) makes the registration process easy.

Voter Eligibility in Minnesota

You can register to vote in Minnesota if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen.
• Have been residing in Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately prior to the election.
• Will be 18 years old or older at the time of the election.
• Have discharged, completed, or expired any felony conviction.
• Have NOT been deemed legally incompetent.
• Have NOT had your voting rights revoked by a court of law.
• Are NOT currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation.*

*Once you have completed the supervised release your voting rights are restored and you should re-register to vote.

Register to Vote in Minnesota

You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person with your local election official OR at the polls on Election Day.

Once you register, you can check your status using the state's online Voter Status search.

Online

You can register to vote online using the MN Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration Application.

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements listed above, you must also:

• Provide a valid e-mail address.
• Provide an identification number. This might be:
  • Your MN driver's license number.
  • Your MN state ID card number.
  • The last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

By Mail

To register by mail, download and complete the Minnesota Voter Registration Application.

The form is designed so that when you fold it, the return address is already printed for you.

NOTE: Visit the state's Voter Registration Applications section if you need another a special version of the form (e.g., a large print version or one in another language).

In Person

Using the same Minnesota Voter Registration Application, you can register in person at your local county elections office OR at the polls on Election Day.

If you register on Election Day, you must bring the required identification documents listed below under Required Identification for MN Elections.

Required Identification for MN Elections

You don't need identification to register to vote in MN UNLESS you register at the polls on Election Day.

When registering on Election Day, you must bring one of the following:

• A valid photo ID such as a MN driver's license, permit, or ID card (or a receipt for any of these IDs).
• A valid student ID card that has your picture.
  • Can only be used if your college has given a student housing list to election officials.
• A photo Tribal ID card that shows your signature.
• A valid voter registration in your same precinct showing a different name or address.
• A registered voter residing in your precinct who can sign an oath confirming your address.
• An employee of your residential facility who can sign an oath to confirm your address.

If you cannot provide one of the above, you can provide an expired photo ID; however, if you do you'll also need to bring proof of residency, such as a utility bill or rent statement dated within 30 days of Election Day.

Military & Out-of-State Voter Registration

You can register to vote online or by mail if you're currently out of the state or country for any reason, including military stations and deployments.

After you register, refer to the state's guides on absentee voting and how to obtain absentee applications.

Military Members & Overseas Citizens

If you're a MN resident currently in the military and stationed abroad, or are a overseas citizen, you can register to vote and request an absentee ballot with the same application. In other words, when you submit a request for an absentee ballot you're automatically registered to vote in Minnesota.

The absentee ballot application can either be submitted online or by mail.

Online

If you opt to register and request and absentee ballot online, you'll need to go to the MN absentee ballot application webpage and provide the following:

• Your full address of residence in Minnesota.
• Reason for being out of the country.
• Personal identification information.
• Method for receiving your ballot (i.e. email, mail, or fax).
• Signature of authenticity.

By Mail

Should you choose to register and request your absentee ballot by mail, you will need to print and complete the Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application (Form 76).

Send your completed mail-in application to your local county election office.

Out-of-State Residents

If you are currently out of the state (for example, to attend college), but maintain a permanent residence in Minnesota, you can register to vote online or by mail using the same methods listed above.

Deadline for MN Voter Registration

If you pre-register to vote, you must do so by 5 p.m. on the 21st day prior to Election Day using one of the methods outlined under Register to Vote in Minnesota above.

Otherwise, you can register at the polls on Election Day. Be sure to bring the required identification documents listed under Required Identification for MN Elections above.

Voter Name or Address Change

Use the Minnesota Voter Registration Application to update your name and/or address. If you need the form in another language, visit the state's Voter Registration Applications section.

Alternatively, you can update your information at the polls on Election Day when you bring in the required identification and residency documents listed in Required Identification for MN Elections above.

Duplicate MN Voter Registration Cards

Applying for a duplicate registration card may vary by precinct. Contact your local election official for information on how to replace your lost voter registration card in Minnesota.