Minnesota Begins Early Voting

Election Day is more than a month away but as of today voting has already begun, as Minnesota kicked off its first presidential cycle where all voters across the state can cast their ballots early.

Politicians, their parties and election officials across Minnesota have spent months preparing for the start of early voting. And it could be a triple play: making it easier for residents to vote, boosting statewide turnout and giving candidates extra time to secure precious votes to win in tight legislative and congressional races across the state.

In its first year nearly 200,000 voted absentee in 2014, up from 127,000 in 2010.

Minnesota is one of 34 states with some form of early voting and is one of the first to start accepting ballots. The expansion falls in line with the state’s efforts to ease the voting process, like a same-day voter registration policy that just 10 other states have.

Voters interested in learning what’s required to register to vote early or apply for a ballot should visit the Secretary of State’s website at sos.state.mn.us