Absentee Voting
Absentee Voting
Eligible voters in Minnesota are able to vote by absentee beginning 46 days before an election. The process is safe, secure and has been used across Minnesota for decades.
The easiest way to vote by absentee ballot is to do so in person by no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before an election. Absentee ballots are available from the Nicollet Property Services Manager/County Auditor’s office at the Nicollet County Government Center (501 South Minnesota Avenue - second floor). Ballots are usually available 46 days prior to Election Day.
Can’t get to the Government Center? It’s just as easy to apply online at the Secretary of State’s website at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx.
Online applicants will receive their ballot in the mail and you won’t even have to leave your house to vote.
Obtain a Ballot
To obtain an absentee ballot, you must first complete an Absentee Ballot Application and return it to the County Property Services Manager. If you are presenting the application in person and ballots are available, you may complete your absentee ballot at that time. If the application was submitted online or by mail, or ballots are not yet available, your ballot will be sent to you by mail as soon as ballots are available. The mailed ballot will contain a postage paid return envelope for return of your voted ballot.
The Secretary of State’s office has also set up a special website to help military and overseas voters vote by absentee ballot.