Absentee voting begins Friday in Minnesota

Becca Most, St. Cloud Times
·2 min read
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Absentee voting begins Friday for Minnesota's Aug. 9 primary. Absentee ballots will be accepted until Aug. 8. To vote absentee you will need a witness, either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. Your ballot will not be counted if it is received after election day.

Voters make their way through the system Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at Westwood Community Church in St. Cloud.
Voters make their way through the system Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at Westwood Community Church in St. Cloud.

The general election is Nov. 8. The absentee voting period for the general election is Sept. 23-Nov. 7.

You can learn about how to register to vote, how to vote as a student and more at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/.

More:Who's running in the 2022 Central Minnesota elections? Meet the candidates

Where can I vote absentee in person in Stearns County?

  • New this year: St. Cloud City Hall, 1201 Seventh St. S, St. Cloud. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • The Election Office at the Stearns County Service Center, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park. Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • Note: The Stearns County Administration Center at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, is no longer a voting site.

Stickers are ready to be handed out to voters Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, at the Stearns County West Service Center in Waite Park.
Stickers are ready to be handed out to voters Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, at the Stearns County West Service Center in Waite Park.

How can I vote by mail in Stearns County?

  • You can apply for an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org or contact your county Auditor-Treasurer's office and an application will be mailed or faxed.

  • The ballot will arrive with instructions on how to complete the process and how to return it to the Stearns County Election Office.

  • You can track your ballot online at mnvotes.org

More:New machine in Stearns County makes voting more accessible

How to absentee vote in Benton County

  • Apply for an absentee ballot online or by mail, and mail applications to Benton County Elections at 531 Dewey St., PO Box 129, Foley, MN 56329.

  • Registered voters in Langola Township, Gilman, part of the city of Royalton and the city of Sauk Rapids Precinct 6 will be sent a mail ballot automatically for the primary election as long as they are registered 21 days before the election. Learn more at https://www.co.benton.mn.us/169/Elections.

Election judge Dave Warne positions a sign directing voters to the polling place during the Minnesota presidential primary election Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at St. Cloud State University.
Election judge Dave Warne positions a sign directing voters to the polling place during the Minnesota presidential primary election Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at St. Cloud State University.

How to vote absentee in Sherburne County

  • You can find an absentee ballot application for Sherburne County on the county's website.

  • During the seven days before a state or federal election, a ballot counter and ballot box will be available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office and you will have the option of absentee voting with an envelope or depositing your voted ballot directly into the ballot counter.

  • If you have questions, contact the Sherburne County Auditor-Treasurer’s office at (763) 765-4351 or (800) 438-0576.

Becca Most is a cities reporter with the St. Cloud Times. Reach her at 320-241-8213 or bmost@stcloudtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter at @becca_most. 

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This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Absentee voting begins Friday in Minnesota. Here's what to know