Minnesota voters will have a chance to weigh in on the presidential election when the state holds its presidential primary on March 5.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are heavy favorites in their respective primary contests, having handily won each state that has voted so far. But Minnesota voters will have multiple candidates in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL), Republican, and Legalize Marijuana Now parties to choose from.
The March 5 primary election will determine who wins Minnesota’s primary delegates. Candidates from the political parties must win a majority of the delegates in their respective primary contests to clinch their party’s nomination for president in the November 5 general election.
All other primary elections, including elections for the U.S. Congress and a range of local offices, will be held in August.
Who can vote in the primary?
Anyone who is registered to vote in Minnesota. If you haven’t registered to vote in Minnesota yet, you can do so at your polling place the day of the primary election. All you need to bring to register is an approved photo ID like a driver’s license, or a utility bill or lease with your name and address. A full list of acceptable documents can be found here.
Every voter will be asked to request a ballot from the party of their choice, DFL, Republican, or Legalize Marijuana Now. You can only vote in one party’s presidential primary contest, and your vote, as always, is private.
Where can I vote?
Your polling place is determined based on your home address. You can find your polling location here, where you can also see a list of the candidates or questions that will be on your ballot.
When can I vote?
You can vote in person on March 5. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., and everyone who is in line by 8 p.m. will be permitted to vote.
You can also vote early by mail. To do so, you must apply for an absentee ballot and send your completed application to your county election office by mail, email, or fax. If your application is accepted, the county will send your ballot to your house.
You can then complete your ballot, get a witness to sign it, and either mail it back or drop it off at your county elections office on March 5. Ballots must arrive at the elections office by the time polls close on March 5, so if you want to vote by mail, it’s best to mail your ballot back several days before the election.
You can track the status of your ballot here.
What are we voting on?
You’ll choose one of the major political parties in Minnesota, and then vote for one of the candidates who is running to win that party’s nomination for president in November.
Candidates win a certain number of delegates depending on their performance in primary elections. Those delegates then attend their respective political parties’ national conventions in the summer and vote on which candidate will become their party’s nominee for president in November. That candidate will then appear on the November ballot.
There are five candidates in the Republican primary race, nine in the Democratic race, and five in the Legalize Marijuana Now race, though some of those candidates are no longer running active campaigns.
U.S. Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota and Marianne Williamson are challenging Biden in the DFL nominating contest, among others. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is competing against Trump in the Republican race, among others.
What are my rights while voting?
Not only can you register to vote on the day of the primary or at a later date, but you can also request assistance from an interpreter, bring your children to the polls with you, or request time off work to vote.
If you can have questions while voting, you can ask the election judge at your polling place.
How can I request an interpreter?
If you would prefer to navigate the voting process in a language other than English, you can request assistance from an interpreter. If there is not a qualified interpreter on site, an election judge can call an interpreter to assist you over the phone.
Ballot materials may also be available in languages other than English.
Where can I find more information?
Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website here for more information about the presidential primary.
