Registration Information

Register to Vote

To be eligible to vote, a person must be 18 or older on the day of the election, a United States citizen, have maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days before the election, and be properly registered.

When re-registration is needed

You must re-register if:

Your name, address or apartment number changes
You have not voted in four years.

Checking registration status

You can check your registration status online through the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Registering before Election Day

To register before Election Day, you can complete a voter registration application online or pick one up at most government offices and public libraries. Applications are also available in 12 different languages on the Secretary of State's website.

The cutoff date for pre-registration is 20 days before any election. If you are trying to register within the 20 days immediately before the election, please follow the instructions below to register at your polling place on Election Day.

Register on Election Day

Use any of the following proof of residence options to register at your polling place on Election Day.

Option 1: Bring acceptable identification ID with current name and address

The following items are considered acceptable IDs in accordance with Minnesota statues:

Valid Minnesota driver's license (or receipt)
Minnesota learner's permit (or receipt)
Minnesota ID card (or receipt)
Tribal ID card with your name address, photo and signature

Option 2: Bring photo ID and a document with current name and address

The ID can be expired and the document can also be shown electronically on a device such as a smartphone or tablet. The following are accepted photo IDs:

Driver's license, state ID card or learner's permit issued by any state
United States Passport
United States Military ID card
Tribal ID card with name, signature and photo of the voter
Minnesota university, college or technical college ID card
Minnesota high school ID card

The following are accepted documents:

Billing statement or start of service statement for phone, TV or internet service, utilities, banking services, credit card, rent or mortgage (must be due or dated within 30 days of election and must have voter's name)
Residential lease or rental agreement (must be valid through Election Day)
Current student fee statement

Option 3: Registered voter in the precinct who can confirm your name and address

A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. A registered voter can vouch for up to eight people. A voter who registers on Election Day this way cannot confirm for other persons attempting to register.

Option 4: Valid registration in the same precinct

If you were previously registered in the precinct but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the election officials your previous name or address. No additional documentation is needed.

Option 5: Notice of late registration

If you pre-registered to vote too close to Election Day, you may have received a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. This notice can be used to register.

Option 6: Staff person of a residential facility

If you live in a residential facility (nursing home, assisted-living facility, etc.), a staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address. The staff person must either be on a list provided by the facility before the election or be able to demonstrate employment at the facility.

Registering with special circumstances

College student

College students should register to vote from the address they currently consider home. For many students, this is likely a school address or a parent's house. If you still go back home to visit but no longer consider it your home, you should register to vote where you live at school.

In the military or living abroad

If you are currently serving in the military or are a citizen living abroad temporarily or indefinitely, you can have an absentee ballot sent to you wherever you are. Your ballot application also serves as a voter registration application. You can apply for an absentee ballot online any time during the year. You are encouraged to apply for your ballot as soon as you are able so you have enough time to return it by Election Day.

Criminal records

Having a criminal record does not affect your right to vote in Minnesota unless you are currently serving a felony conviction sentence, including probation, parole or supervised release.

In a nursing home or hospital

If you are temporarily staying in a nursing home or hospital, you may be eligible to have someone pick up and deliver a ballot to you. This is called agent delivery. Registration materials will be provided with your ballot, if necessary. You must apply for an absentee ballot from the city where you maintain residence, not necessarily the city where the nursing home or hospital is located.

In a resident facility

If you live in a residential facility (nursing home, assisted-living facility, etc.) and need to register to vote, a staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address. You can also vote by absentee ballot or agent delivery, and registration materials will be provided with your ballot, if necessary.

Homeless

If you are homeless, you can register to vote using the location where you sleep as your address. You may need to go to the polling place with someone who can confirm where you are living.

Home in foreclosure

If your home is in foreclosure, you can use it as your voting residence as long as you still live there. If you move from the property and do not intend to return, you can no longer vote from that address.

Moving on or close to Election Day

If you are moving between states near Election Day, you will need to check how many days you need to reside in your new state before you can vote there. To vote in Minnesota, you must live in the state for at least 20 days before Election Day. If you are moving within the state near Election Day, you must register to vote from the address you currently consider home.

Living temporarily in Minnesota

You cannot vote in Minnesota if you are living here temporarily. However, you can still vote in your home state's election with an absentee ballot.