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Direct balloting for March 5 presidential primary begins Friday

February 12, 2024

Absentee in-person direct balloting for the March 5, 2024, presidential primary begins Friday, February 16, 2024. Direct balloting allows voters to insert their ballots directly into a tabulator at the direct balloting location.

Learn more about the absentee voting process by watching this short video!

Olmsted County direct balloting locations, dates, and hours

  • Olmsted County Elections Office – 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester
    • February 16 – March 4, 2024, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday – Friday), and Saturday, March 2, 2024, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
       
  • Olmsted County Government Center – 201 4th St. SE, Rochester
    • February 27 – March 4, 2024, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday – Friday), and Saturday, March 2, 2024, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What is a presidential primary?
A presidential primary is held every four years ahead of the general election in November and is a way voters help states and political parties choose presidential nominees. Any registered voter in Minnesota can vote in this election.

A voter must request the ballot of the major political party of their choice. This can be done in-person at polling locations on Election Day or through the absentee ballot process. If a voter refuses to select a party, they will not be able to vote in the presidential primary.

A voter’s choice of party ballot will be recorded and is private data. However, a list will be provided to the chair of each major political party of voters who selected that party. How a person votes on a ballot will be secret.

Common questions about the presidential primary can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Vote by mail
If you requested an absentee ballot by mail, please complete and return your ballot to the Olmsted County Elections Office by Election Day. A pre-paid envelope is also included if you would like to return the ballot by mail.

Register to vote
To vote in the presidential primary you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, a resident of Minnesota for 20 days, and not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. You can register online or at your polling location on Election Day.

Questions?
If you have questions about the absentee voting process, please email or call the Olmsted County Elections Office at 507-328-7650. More information on voting early can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

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Media Contact: Rachel Wick, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6537

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