Voting in Olmsted County

Olmsted County will be sending absentee ballot applications with postage-paid return envelopes to all registered voters in the county.  

You can vote from home so that you do not have to stand in line or expose yourself to the COVID 19 virus.

In Minnesota you can vote early with an absentee ballot starting 46 days before Election Day (primary election and general election) but you do not need to wait to request ballots for 2020.  Early absentee voting for the August 11 Primary begins June 26.  Early absentee voting for the General Election will start on September 18.

The county will be sending out the absentee ballot request the week of June 8.  You can complete the absentee ballot request and will be sent a ballot at the beginning of each absentee period.

For more information please go to:

https://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/news/Pages/AbsenteeBallotApplicationsToBeSentToAllRegisteredVotersInOlmstedCounty.aspx?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

OR

You still can vote in person on Election Days if you wish.  Polling locations will be open for the August 11 Primary and the November 3 General Election.  Be aware that your usual polling place will probably change because fewer polling places will be available due to COVID-19.

OR

You can vote in person early by early absentee ballot at the new Elections Office located at 2122 Campus Drive SE, Rochester, MN, starting June 26 for the Primary during normal business hours (8-5).  (The old Graham Park site is no longer being used.)

If you choose to vote by mail using the early absentee ballot, read the instructions carefully.  You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot.  The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary.  Mail the ballot and forms back right away after you finish.  Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day.

You can choose any of the about voting choices; however, state and local officials are strongly encouraging early absentee voting by mail if possible.

Sample Ballots

You can view a sample ballot at the Secretary of State website.  Go to:  https://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/

At this site you can see an example of the ballot in your precinct according to your address.  You can also see a list of all candidates appearing on the ballot for the August 11 Primary and November 3 General Election.