Elections and voting

Election dates

The Secretary of State's Elections Calendar shows a list of upcoming elections and potential dates for future elections. 

To view your ballot, enter your information at MNVotes.org.

Public Accuracy Test

The purpose of the Public Accuracy Test (PAT) is to demonstrate the accuracy of the computer program and voting system to be used at the election to the public. The test must be conducted in accordance with Minnesota Statute and is performed before each election for each jurisdiction operating electronic voting equipment. All Public Accuracy Tests are held at the Olmsted County Elections office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE Suite 300, Rochester, MN.

Register to vote

In-person or mail
Submit the Voter Registration Application to Olmsted County Elections in person or by mail.  
Olmsted County Elections
2122 Campus Dr. SE Suite 300
Rochester MN, 55904

Online
Minnesota Secretary of State's website

Register at the polls
Go to the MNvotes.org website for registration requirements and a list of documents you can use as proof of residence on election day.

Pre-registering to vote for 16- and 17-year-olds

You can pre-register to vote as a 16- or 17-year-old in Minnesota. You must be 18 years old before voting. 

Check to see if you’re registered
Go to the MNvotes.org website to find out if you are registered to vote at your current address.

Where to vote on Election Day

The Minnesota Secretary of State provides a Polling Place Finder to help you find out where to vote. Simply select your city and enter your address to get started. 

Prior to most elections, the poll finder will also display what candidates and questions will be on your ballot and a sample ballot may also be available.

You can also use the Election District Finder tool to determine your election district, who represents you, and candidate information.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about the elections process in Olmsted County and information on voting updates in Minnesota. More information on elections and voting in Minnesota can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

I am interested in running for elected office. How do I learn more?
If you’re interested in running for elected office, please visit Olmsted County’s Candidate Resources webpage. You will find candidate filing information, including where and when to file, the forms to complete the process, and more!

What is an election judge and what are their responsibilities?
Election judges are temporary, paid employees of local election officials trained to handle all aspects of voting at the polling place. Serving as an election judge is a chance to learn about elections and is a great service to the community.  Sometimes election judges are hired to process absentee ballots with the Absentee Ballot Board. Election judges are appointed by their cities, townships, and school districts. Election judges are paid for their work. The pay rate is set by cities, townships, and school districts.

How can I become an election judge?
Information on how to become an election judge can be found on Olmsted County’s website. All judges take the following oath and sign a written copy of it: “I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will perform the duties of election judge according to law and the best of my ability and will diligently endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit, and abuse in conducting this election. I will perform my duties in a fair and impartial manner and not attempt to create an advantage for my party or my candidate.”

When is the next election?
Information on upcoming elections, like primary and general elections, can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

Who can register and vote in Minnesota?
To vote you must be:

• A U.S. citizen.
• You can pre-register to vote as a 16- or 17-year-old.
• You must be 18 years old before voting.
• A resident of Minnesota for 20 days.
• Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. 
• You can vote while under guardianship unless a judge specifically has revoked your right to vote.
• You cannot vote if a court has ruled that you are legally incompetent.

How do I register to vote?
Olmsted County encourages everyone to register before Election Day. The deadline to register in advance is 21 days before Election Day. You must re-register each time you change address, change names, or do not vote at least once during a four-year period. You can register to vote online or download an application from the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. You can also register at the polls on Election Day. You will need proof of residence to register. Learn more about registering when you vote.

What is automatic voter registration?
In 2024, Minnesota switched to automatic voter registration. With this change Minnesotans will be registered to vote, or their voter registration will be updated, without having to proactively check a box when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or state ID.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will review citizenship affirming documentation and ensure the potential voter meets all other eligibility requirements to register in Minnesota before sending their information to the Office of the Secretary of State. Examples of citizenship affirming documentation include birth certificates, passports, and certificates of naturalization.

Minnesotans automatically registered will be able to opt-out of registering to vote within 20 days of their registration being processed. A mailing will be sent to each prospective voter indicating how they can opt out.

What is absentee voting, and how do I vote absentee?
In Minnesota, you can vote early with an absentee ballot starting 46 days before Election Day. Sign and return an absentee ballot request form as soon as you can to ensure you receive your ballot timely and your vote is counted on Election Day. Information about applying can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. Your absentee ballot will count if you fill out the forms correctly and return your ballot by mail or in-person no later than 8 p.m. on Elections Day to the Olmsted County Elections Office, located at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN.

What is the permanent absentee voter list?
As of June 2024, eligible voters will be able to request to be added to a list to automatically be sent an absentee ballot during the early vote period, instead of needing to apply again ahead of every election.

What is direct balloting, and where do I go?
Direct balloting starts 18 days prior to an election. Eligible voters can submit their ballots directly into a tabulator or use the absentee envelopes at the Elections Office or the Olmsted County Government Center, located at 151 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN.

What is the early voting process?
The legislature has approved an early voting period to start 18 days before election day. Early voting will have similarities to the direct balloting process, where the voter will be able to insert the ballot directly into a tabulator. Unlike direct balloting, the voter will not need to complete an absentee ballot application and the front-end process will more closely resemble a roster check-in at the polling place. Early voting will not take effect until the Office of the Secretary of State certifies the election systems work properly, which is not anticipated until after the 2024 election cycle.

When are early voting hours during general elections?
During a statewide general election, voting locations will be required to be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the two Saturdays and the Sunday before the election, until 7 p.m. on the Tuesday the week before the election, and until 5 p.m. on the Monday before the election. For non-statewide general elections, voting locations will be required to be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Saturday before the election and until 5 p.m. on the Monday before the election.

Where can I vote on election day?
The Minnesota Secretary of State provides a Polling Place Finder to help you find out where to vote. Simply select your city and enter your address to get started. Prior to most elections, the poll finder will also display what candidates and questions will be on your ballot and a sample ballot may also be available.

Can I vote if I have been convicted of a felony?
Yes. Minnesota residents can vote in an election if they are not currently incarcerated for a felony sentence, are on probation or parole, or if their felony conviction did not include prison time. Questions about eligibility to vote following a criminal conviction can be directed to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office at 877-600-VOTE.

How can I vote if I live in a healthcare facility?
Election judges will come to healthcare facilities to help administer elections. Healthcare facility voting may now be administered starting 35 days before election day.

Do I have a right to be absent from work to vote?
Yes. The right to be absent from work to vote is now expanded to include any time during the absentee voting period or voting on election day.

What is a county canvas?
The purpose of the county canvas is to review the vote totals, certify the results, and declare the nominees or winners. The county canvas board is made up of the county auditor, court administrator of the district court, the mayor of the county's most populous municipality, and two members of the county board selected by the board from its members who are not candidates in the election. The county canvas board must meet on the second or third day following a State Primary or election on another date, between the third and tenth day following the General Election, or the day following a special primary or special General Election that is not held on the day of a state election.

What is the post-election review?
The post-election review is a manual recount of randomly selected precincts for specific offices following each State General Election. The review compares the hand count of the ballots with the results from the electronic voting system to determine if counting accuracy of the voting system meets a defined standard. The post-election review must occur between 11 and 18 days following the General Election.

How do I find election results?
Election results can be found on Olmsted County’s website.