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It's Tuesday, Aug. 14 and that means it's time for all those eligible to vote in the state's primary elections. The primary narrows the field of candidates for the Nov. 6 election.
Minnesota has an open primary, meaning voters of any affiliation may vote for the candidate of whatever party they choose. But, you may only vote for one party and one person in each race. For example, if you vote Republican for the U.S. Senate race, then you must vote Republican for the U.S. Representative District 2 race.
The races you vote on are dependent on where you live. Because of redistricting this year, some voters have shifted precincts, wards and polling locations. To find out where to vote, head to the Secretary of State website polling location page.
Voting is open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Local races on the ballot
Scott County Commissioner District 1 (west end of Shakopee)
- Jerry Kucera
- LuAnne Lemke
- Joe Wagner (Incumbent)
One State Senator District 55
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Republican
Other races on the ballot
One U.S. Senator
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Dick Franson
- Amy Klobuchar (Incumbent/endorsed)
- Jack Edward Shepard
- Darryl Stanton
Republican
- Kurt Bills (Endorsed)
- David Carlson
- Bob Carney Jr.
Independence
Grassroots
- Tim David
Minnesota Open Progressives
One U.S. Representative District 2
Republican
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Mike Obermueller (Endorsed)
Minnesota Supreme Court
One Chief Justice—Supreme Court
- Jill Clark
- Lorie Skjerven Gildea (Incumbent)
- Dan Griffith
One Associate Justice—Supreme Court 4
Registering to Vote*
Before you can vote, you must register. In Minnesota, you may register at least 20 days before Election Day or on Election Day at your polling place. To be eligible to register and vote in Minnesota you must:
- be at least 18-years-old on Election Day
- be a citizen of the United States
- have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day
- have any felony conviction record discharged, expired, or completed
- not be under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked your voting rights
- not have been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law
Registering on Election Day
If you are not registered to vote or need to update your registration information, you may do so at your local polling location on Election Day as long as you can provide proof of residence.
To register at your polling place on Election Day, you must bring one of the following with your current name and address to verify your residence in the precinct :
- A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card, or receipt for any of these
- A valid student ID card including your photo, if your college has provided a student housing list to election officials
- A Tribal ID card that contains your picture and signature
- A valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address
- A notice of late registration sent to you by your county auditor or city clerk
- A voter registered in the same precinct as you who can confirm your address with a signed oath
- An employee of the residential facility where you live who can confirm your address with a signed oath
- Both 1) a photo ID from the list below, and 2) a current bill from the list below with your current name and address in the precinct
Photo IDs (may be expired) Bills (delivered electronically or by mail)
- Minnesota Driver's License
- Minnesota ID Card
- United States Passport
- United States Military ID Card
- Tribal ID Card
- Minnesota University, College, or Technical College ID Card
- Utility bill due within 30 days of election day:
- Telephone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.)
- TV (cable, satellite, etc.)
- Internet services
- Electric
- Gas
- Solid Waste
- Sewer Services
- Water
- Rent statement dated within 30 days of election day that itemizes utilities
- Current student fee statement
* Information provided by the Minnesota Secretary of State
