Early voting for November 2026 General Election begins Friday

Early voting locations, dates, and times: 

Early voting will also be available at Rochester City Hall, seven days before Election Day: 

There are several other ways to vote absentee for the November 3 General Election. 

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. 

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 early voting works in Olmsted County 

A video featuring Olmsted County Elections staff provides a behind-the-scenes look at the early voting process and explains how ballots are handled and counted. Watch the video on Olmsted County’s YouTube channel.