City Clerk

Read before you apply

For your ballot to count, remember this important information:

1. Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully.
2. You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary.
3. Return the ballot and forms right away after you finish. Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day.

Application deadline

You can apply for a ballot any time during the year, except the day of the election. Leave time for election officials to mail your ballot. Your returned ballot must be received by Election Day.

Deadline to return your ballot

Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day.

Returning your ballot in person
You can return your ballot in person no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day to the election office that sent your ballot. You can drop off ballots for up to three other voters. You will need to show identification with name and signature when returning a ballot for someone else. You may not drop your ballot off at your polling place on election day.

Returning your ballot by mail
Your ballot must be received by Election Day  or it will not be counted. Return your ballot by mail or package delivery service (such as FedEx or UPS).

In special situations, you may ask an agent to pick up and return an absentee ballot for you. This is called ‘agent delivery.’  

To qualify for agent delivery, you must live in a:

• nursing home
• assisted living facility
• residential treatment center
• group home
• battered women's shelter
• or, be hospitalized or unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or a disability.

Your agent must be at least 18 years old, have a pre-existing relationship with you and cannot be a candidate. An individual cannot be an agent of more than three voters in an election.

Give your agent a completed absentee ballot application and a request for agent delivery of absentee ballot form. Have your agent take both forms to the local election office to receive your ballot

Your agent can pick up your ballot starting seven days before the election until 2 p.m. on Election Day. Your agent or someone else you designate must return your ballot to the same elections office by 3 p.m. on Election Day. You can also return your ballot by mail. Election officials must receive your ballot on or before Election Day.

Will my absentee ballot count?

Your absentee ballot will count as long as you return your ballot on time and fill out the forms correctly.

Who can witness my ballot?

You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. Your witness must sign the signature envelope and list their address. Notaries should write their name and title, sign the signature envelope, and affix their notary stamp.

What happens after I return my ballot?

Local election officials must check that you and your witness filled out the signature envelope correctly. If you did not fill out the signature envelope correctly, election officials will mail you replacement materials, including an explanation for why your signature envelope was rejected. Or, if there are fewer than five days before Election Day, election officials will try to contact you. In this case, you can vote in person at your local election office or at your polling place on Election Day.

If I have already requested an absentee ballot, can I change my mind and vote in the polling place?

As long as your absentee ballot hasn’t been counted by your election officials, you may still cast a ballot in person by voting in your polling place on Election Day or at your local early voting location. You can track the status of your absentee ballot to see when it is sent to you and when it is received by election officials. After voting in person, the unique ballot ID number on your original absentee ballot will be invalidated, so that if it is returned to the election office the officials will not count it. If you plan on voting in person, please do not bring your absentee ballot with you. Your election official will provide you with a new ballot to complete that day.

If you have received an absentee ballot but are unsure if it will arrive at your election office in time to be counted, you may also consider contacting your local election official to see what options you have for locations and times to drop off your absentee ballot.

What if I make a mistake on my ballot?

You can ask the election office that sent your ballot for a replacement ballot. If there is not enough time to get a new ballot, completely cross out the name of the candidate you accidentally marked. Then mark the candidate you prefer. Do not initial your corrections.

What if my ballot has not arrived, is lost or damaged?

Contact your county election office. You can receive a replacement ballot in person or by mail. The election official will cancel your original ballot. Do not return your original ballot, even if you eventually find or receive it. Only return your replacement ballot.

What if I returned my ballot and want to change my vote?

You can ask to cancel your ballot until the close of business two weeks before Election Day. After that time, you cannot cancel your ballot. To cancel your ballot, contact the election office that sent your ballot. Your options are to have a new ballot mailed; vote in person at your local election office; or vote at your polling place on Election Day.

Can I have applications sent automatically?

You can have paper applications sent to you before each election. Send this form to your county election office to have an absentee ballot application automatically mailed to you before each election. Applications are mailed at least 60 days before an election.