Voting absentee in the August primary election
Beginning Friday, June 26, 2026, eligible voters in Minnesota can vote absentee for the August 11, 2026, primary election. Absentee ballots can be requested through the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Below are several options to vote absentee during this 46-day period.
Absentee by Mail
To vote absentee by mail, you will need a witness. A witness may be:
• A U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old.
• A notary public.
• A person authorized to administer oaths.
When completing your absentee ballot application, you will also have the option to apply to become a Permanent Absentee Voter, which allows you to automatically receive an absentee ballot for future elections.
Completed ballots may be returned by mail or delivered in person to the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, Minnesota 55904. Ballots must be received by 5 p.m. if returned in person or by 8 p.m. if returned by mail on Election Day to be counted.
Absentee in person
You can also submit your absentee ballot in person at the Olmsted County Elections Office, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, the office will be open on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Early voting
Early voting, which allows voters to submit their ballots directly into a tabulator or use absentee envelopes, will be available 18 days before the primary election at the Olmsted County Elections Office:
- Location: 2122 Campus Drive SE, Suite 300, in Rochester
- Dates: July 24, 2026 – August 10, 2026
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Saturday, August 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Early voting will also be available at Rochester City Hall, seven days before Election Day:
- Location: 201 4th St. SE in Rochester, Conference room 104
- Dates: August 4 – August 10, 2026
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Saturday, August 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Watch: How absentee voting works in Olmsted County
A new video featuring Olmsted County Elections staff provides a behind-the-scenes look at the absentee voting process and explains how ballots are handled and counted. Watch the video on Olmsted County’s YouTube channel.
Questions?
For more information and frequently asked questions about voting, please visit the Olmsted County website and the City of Rochester’s website.