Unlike many states, voters can wait until the day of the election to register in Minnesota. However, the City of Minneapolis encourages voters to register before then in order to save time at the polling place. Pre-registration can help ensure a smooth experience for people who vote on the day of the election, with less time spent waiting in lines and no need to bring documents to vote. Tuesday, October 14 is the deadline to pre-register for the November 4 Municipal Election. 

Voters can register online until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, October 14. Voters who plan on dropping off their paper registrations at election offices must do that by 5 p.m. Voters can check their registration online to confirm that they are registered and ready for the election. 

Voters who aren’t pre-registered by October 14 can still register in person at an early voting location, when voting by mail, or at their polling place on Election Day. They will need to bring proof of residence with them to register.  

Early voting now underway 

Early voting has begun for the Nov. 4 Municipal Election. Voters can cast their ballots by mail or in person at the Early Vote Center, 980 East Hennepin Ave. At the close of Thursday, October 9, a total of 5,279 ballots had been accepted.  

All mail-in ballots need to be received by Nov. 4 to count. Anyone who requested a mail ballot should allow up to 7 days to arrive in the mail. The City recommends completed ballots should be mailed back Tuesday, Oct. 28.   

If voters choose to deliver their ballot in-person to the Elections & Voter Services office, it still must be returned by 5 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places or Hennepin County on Election Day. 

More information on how to vote by mail is available at vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/bymail.