Absentee Voting Information
Request an absentee ballot with this form (pdf).
Requests are taken year-around.
Absentee ballots are available 46 days prior to each regularly scheduled election.
Use the Absentee Ballot Lookup to follow the status of your absentee ballot.
Eligible Minneapolis voters may vote by absentee ballot for any of the following reasons
- Absent from the precinct on election day
- Illness or disability
- Religious discipline or observance of religious holiday
- Service as an election judge in another precinct
- Eligible emergency declared by governor or quarantine declared by federal or state government
Not pre-registered?
That’s not a problem. You can apply for an absentee ballot and you will receive voter registration materials with your ballot.
Absentee Voters may vote in-person or by mail
- Vote in person during the 46 days prior to a regularly scheduled election, or
- Complete the entire process by mail
Absentee Voting In-Person prior to an election – location & hours
When absentee voting is being conducted at Minneapolis City Hall, no campaigning (campaign buttons, signs or clothing) is allowed in the building or within 100 feet. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Absentee voting location for Minneapolis voters:
Minneapolis City Hall
350 5th Street South - Room 1B - ground floor
Minneapolis Elections is located in the Minneapolis City Hall at 350 5th Street South, on 3rd Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets.
- Enter on the 4th Street side on the Ground Floor and take a right at the Father of Waters Statue.
- If entering on the 5th Street side (LRT Government Plaza Station), take the stairs or elevator down one flight to the Ground Floor.
Minneapolis voters may also absentee vote in person at:
Hennepin County Government Center – Public Service Level
300 South 6th Street
Minneapolis MN 55487
Absentee voting hours during the 46 days prior to an election
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday before each Election, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM – Use 4th Street entrance only.
Monday before each Election, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Absentee Voting by Mail
Remember to allow at least 7 days between requesting your absentee ballot and completing the voting process.
An official absentee ballot application may be obtained from your city or county elections office. You can also print your absentee ballot application from our Web site:
Deadline for returning absentee ballots Election Day
- Absentee ballots delivered by United States Postal Service (USPS) must be received by the city or county election office by the last regular USPS mail delivery on Election Day, or
- Absentee ballots hand-delivered by an agent of the voter (a commercial delivery service or any individual other than the voter) must be received by the city or county election office by 3 p.m. on Election Day.
- On Election Day, voters may go to the polls to vote, but CANNOT deliver their own absentee ballots to any election officials
- Absentee ballots CANNOT be delivered directly to a polling place
Other absentee ballot services
Military and Overseas Voters
The Minnesota Military and Overseas Voter Service is your one-stop site to help members of the military service (including spouses and dependents), and voters residing outside the United States. Voters are advised to allow plenty of time for this process. Additional information is also available at the Hennepin County Elections Office (612-348-5151) and on the MN SOS Military/Overseas Voting page and the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
Permanent and Ongoing Absentee Ballot status – Recurring Absentee
If you are an eligible voter who reasonably believes that you will be unable to go to your polling place for one of the reasons allowed on an ongoing basis, you may request to receive an application for an absentee ballot before each election by completing the Application to Automatically Receive Absentee Ballot Applications.
Health-care and Hospital Facilities
Special absentee balloting procedures are available to voters in hospital or health-care facilities. Call Minneapolis 311 or 612-673-3000, for additional information. TTY/TTD 612-673-2157
Absentee Ballots Delivered Round-trip by Others – Agent Delivery
Starting the seven days before an election, the following voters may authorize an agent to pick up and return an absentee ballot for them: patients in hospitals, residential treatment centers, and nursing homes; residents of group homes; residents of battered women's shelters; residents of assisted living facilities; voters who are disabled; and voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons.
In order to have an agent deliver your ballot, you must complete the Request for Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballot Form and the Absentee Ballot Application. You must have a preexisting relationship with your agent. The agent will use the completed forms to pick up a ballot, bring the ballot to you, and return your voted ballot to the county auditor or city clerk. Each agent is only allowed to deliver and return ballots for a maximum of three voters. This activity may only occur within the seven days preceding an election. Ballots can be picked up until 2:00 p.m. on Election Day, and voted ballots must be returned by 3:00 p.m. on Election Day. Agent Delivery Process flowchart
Last updated Dec. 20, 2011