Early voting is underway for Minnesota’s primary election, when voters whittle larger pools of candidates down to top candidates who will face off this fall.
Voters will find competitive races as Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican candidates seek state and federal offices. Several key politicians’ decision not to seek reelection, including Gov. Tim Walz, has sparked interest up and down the ballot.
Voters can cast their early ballots now in person or via mail, or can vote in person on primary Election Day, Aug. 11.
Most primary races are partisan, so multiple candidates from the same political party may be running for the same seat. Voters are allowed to choose one candidate for each seat, and must only vote for candidates from one party — DFL or Republican. The winners will go on to face each other in the Nov. 3 general election, when one Republican and one DFL candidate will vie for each seat.
Partisan races this year include the governor’s office, secretary of state and seats in Congress, among others.
Some races are nonpartisan, including the Hennepin County attorney and school board races. In those cases, the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election.
Here are some races to watch, and information about how to vote:
Competitive races for governor
Walz’s decision to not seek a third term created a flood of candidates seeking to run the state.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is all but assured to take the DFL primary for governor after winning multiple senate campaigns by wide margins. But there are still a number of Democrats on the ballot, including Thomas Evenstad, Bill E. Gates Jr., Kobey Layne, Ole “Viking” Savior, Po Vang and Mohammad Wazwaz.
Seven Republicans are vying for the GOP vote. The leading candidates include pillow entrepreneur Mike Lindell, Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Lisa Demuth and Army veteran and former health care executive Kendall Qualls.
Qualls earned the GOP endorsement in May, though Demuth has raised the most money to date. Lindell has the most name recognition, and narrowly leads in the polls.
Other candidates include Steven Young, Loner Blue, Raul Estrada, John Krhin and Ross Nova.
U.S. Senate: Candidates line up to replace Klobuchar
The primaries for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tina Smith are competitive for both parties.
Former NFL sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya is the most recognized Republican running for the seat, but she lost the party endorsement in May to newcomer Adam Schwarze, a former Navy SEAL.
Former NBA player Royce White is also vying for the seat. Other Republicans on the ballot include Bob “Again” Carney Jr., Cynthia Gail, Ahmad R. Hassan, Joyce Lacey, Patrick Munro and Tom Weiler.
On the DFL side, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces off against U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. Flanagan, the progressive favorite, won the DFL endorsement in May after Craig decided to not contend for it. Craig, however, has outraised Flanagan in campaign contributions and recently reported roughly four times more cash on hand.
Other Democrats on the ballot include George Kalberer, Peter Murgic and Billy Nord.
U.S. House: Crowded field for 2nd District
Six candidates are running in the DFL primary to replace Craig in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Second Congressional District seat represents the southern Twin Cities metro.
State Sen. Matt Klein and former state senator and former Lakeville Mayor Matt Little lead that race. Little secured the DFL endorsement earlier this year. Others running include educator Abdi Abdulle, state Rep. Kaela Berg, scientist Hugh McTavish and Christopher Mosel.
On the GOP side, State Sen. Eric Pratt is running unopposed.
Five vie for Hennepin County Attorney’s Office
Five candidates for Hennepin County attorney will face off in the primary, which will reduce the field to two top vote-getters for the November general election.
The high-profile office leads a team of over 500 staffers, including criminal and civil prosecutors, child protection and child support attorneys, investigators and more. The current county attorney, Mary Moriarty, opted not to seek reelection.
Those seeking to replace her include DFL State Rep. Cedrick Frazier, former Acting U.S. Attorney Anders Folk, Minneapolis attorney Matt Pelikan, retired Hennepin County prosecutor Diane Krenz, and Ramsey County prosecutor Hao Ngyuen.
Voters can choose which candidate aligns best with their views by taking Sahan Journal’s Meet Your County Attorney quiz here.
Voting criteria
- Eligible voters must be 18 years or older and must have lived in Minnesota for at least 20 days.
How to register to vote
- Register to vote online by clicking here. You’ll need to provide your driver’s license number, a Minnesota ID number or the last four digits of your social security number. You’ll also need to provide an email address.
- The deadline to register online is Tuesday, July 21.
- Alternatively, you can also register in person at your polling place on Election Day. To register on the same day, you’ll need to bring a photo ID with your current address, or an older ID and a utility bill, lease or rent statement with your name and current address on it. If you don’t have these, you can register by bringing a registered voter from your precinct who can sign an oath affirming your current address.
How to vote early in person
- Early voting began on June 26.
- You can vote early in person by filling out an absentee ballot at a designated polling place up until Election Day.
- Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website and click on the county you live in, which will list polling place locations and hours where you can vote early.
How to vote early by mail
- If you want to vote by mail, you must apply for an absentee ballot at the Secretary of State’s website.
- The Secretary of State recommends that you apply before July 28.
- Once you’ve applied for an absentee ballot, you can track it here.
- Once you receive and complete a mailed ballot, you must have a witness or a notary sign it for your vote to count. The witness must be 18 years or older and a U.S. citizen.
- Your ballot can be returned by mail or in person at a polling place.
- The Secretary of State suggests that you mail in your completed ballot a few days before Election Day, Aug. 11. Otherwise, you can drop them off at a polling place on Election Day.
How to vote in person on Election Day, Aug. 11
- Most polling places open on Election Day at 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m., and close at 8:00 p.m.
- You can find your polling place by entering your address here on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.
- Minnesota law gives you the right to vote during work hours on Election Day.
- Your employer must compensate you for the time if you vote during work hours, and cannot require you to use vacation or personal leave time.
- The Minnesota Secretary of State has drafted a letter you can provide to your employer about your right to vote during the work day.
- You can vote after polls close as long as you’re in line by 8:00 p.m.
