Why should I vote?

Voting in elections is your opportunity to be heard, hold elected officials accountable and have a say in important issues that affect your community. Prepare to vote so you can take part in our democracy.

Can I vote?

Eligibility Guidelines 

Who can register and vote in Minnesota?

You must be:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • At least 18 years old on Election Day
  • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
  • Finished with all parts of any felony sentence
  • 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.

Are you eligible?

Can I register online?

 

Register Online

To register online, you must:

  • Meet eligibility guidelines to register and vote in Minnesota.
  • Provide an email address.
  • Provide an identification number from either your Minnesota driver’s license, your Minnesota ID card or the last four (4) digits of your Social Security Number.

Register Online

If you cannot provide an email address and one of the identification numbers listed above, you must register on paper

Can I register any other way?

 

In Person or By Mail

If you meet eligibility guidelines to vote, you can submit a completed voter registration application to Ramsey County Elections by mail or in person. You may also be able to register at your polling place on Election Day, if you bring approved identification with you.​ The following are applications (PDF) in many languages.

Factsheet 2022

Where do I vote?

Polling Places

There are many polling places. Where you go to vote depends on you zip code and your street address.

Polling Place Finder

Enter your address into this Polling Place Finder to find out important voting information for your precinct, including:

  • Your polling place
  • maps of your district
  • a list of candidates

What is the Voting Process?

Ranked Choice Voting

Ranked Choice Voting (sometimes referred to as Instant Runoff Voting) is a method of voting in which voters rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference – first, second, third, and so on. Voters can cast their vote for the candidate they truly prefer knowing that if he or she doesn’t garner enough votes to move on to the next round, their ballots will count toward their second (and even third) choice . This simple voting method gives voters more voice by eliminating the spoiler dynamic and leveling the playing field for all candidates. 

How Ranked Choice Works

Credit: RankYourVote.org

Can I vote before election day?

Early Voting

There are a number of ways that you can submit your vote before election day:

  • Vote by Mail
  • Vote in Person
  • Early Voting
  • Military and overseas voters
  • Vote by agent

How to Vote Early

When do I find out the results?

Election Results

Within 3 days the results will be available in newspapers and on the web site for the Secretary of State.

Election Results