Voting absentee in the November General Election

Beginning Friday, September 18, 2026, eligible voters in Minnesota can vote absentee for the November 3, 2026, General Election. Absentee ballots can be requested through the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.

There are several ways to vote absentee during this 46-day period.

Absentee by mail 

To vote absentee by mail, you will need a witness, who can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. Completed ballots can be returned by mail or in person to the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904. Please note that your ballot must be received by Election Day at 8 p.m. 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, October 24, 2026, Saturday, October 31, 2026, and Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will have extended hours Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 7 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 2026 General Election at the Olmsted County Elections Office:

  • Location: 2122 Campus Drive SE, Suite 300, in Rochester
  • Dates: October 13, 2026 – November 2, 2026
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Saturday, October 24, 2026, Saturday, October 31, 2026, and Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • October 27: Voting hours are extended from 8 a.m. to 7 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: October 27 – November 2, 2026
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Saturday, October 31, 2026, and Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • October 27: Voting hours are extended from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

View your sample ballot 

Please visit the Secretary of State website to view what races and candidates are on your ballot.

Election security and preparedness articles

Explore Olmsted County’s election security and preparedness articles to learn more about the work that supports election integrity, security and preparedness. These resources highlight the people, processes, and safeguards that help ensure elections are accurate, secure, and accessible while building public confidence in the election process.

Watch: How absentee voting works in Olmsted County

A 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 the Olmsted County website and the City of Rochester’s website.
 

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Media Contact: Gretchen Williamson, Communications Manager, 507-328-6024