Early absentee voting for August 9 primary election and special election begins June 24
Tuesday, August 9, 2022 will mark the special election for Minnesota’s Congressional District 1 seat and Minnesota’s primary election for candidates looking to compete in the general election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. In Minnesota, you can vote early with an absentee ballot starting 46 days before Election Day.
Vote early by mail
To request an absentee ballot, please use the online absentee application. The completed absentee application must be returned by mail or in person to the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904, or the Olmsted County Government Center at 151 4th St. SE, Rochester, MN 55904.
Vote early in person
Vote early in person for the August election at the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904.
- June 24 through August 1, 2022
- Monday through Friday
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vote in person direct balloting
Absentee in person direct balloting takes place August 2 through August 8, 2022 at the Government Center and at the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904.
- August 2 through August 5
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- August 6
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- August 8
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Register to vote
You can register to vote online or download an application.
- Online registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
- Register by mail deadline: Must be received 21 days before Election Day
- In person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day
If you are registering on Election Day, information on what you need to bring with you can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. Voters must be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
What’s on my ballot?
In addition to state and federal races (including the special election for Minnesota’s Congressional District 1 seat), several local races will be on your August 9 ballot.
Olmsted County (Primary election)
- Board of Commissioners, District 4
- Board of Commissioners, District 5
Information on everyone who filed for Olmsted County Commissioner Districts, Sheriff, County Attorney, and Soil and Water Supervisor is on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
City of Rochester (Primary election)
- City Council, Ward 1
- City Council, Ward 3
- Mayor
- School Board, Position 2
- School Board, Position 5
- School Board, Position 6
Information on everyone who filed for Mayor, City Council, and School Board is on the City of Rochester website.
U.S. Representative District 1 (Special election and primary election)
The August 9 special election ballot will include the candidates competing to fill Minnesota’s Congressional District 1 seat, which was left vacant following the death of Representative Jim Hagedorn. The winner will serve the remaining five months of Hagedorn’s second term. A primary election will also be on the August 9 ballot with Congressional District 1 candidates vying for a spot in the November 8 general election. The winner of the general election will begin a new term as Minnesota’s Congressional District 1 representative in 2023.
Information on everyone who filed for U.S. Representative District 1 is on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
Become an election judge!
The City of Rochester is seeking head election judges. The judges oversee the polling locations and help provide direction to other election judges at the polling locations. You can apply online through the City of Rochester website.
More information
For the latest election updates and further details about voting in Olmsted County and the City of Rochester, Minnesota, including links to online tools, visit the following sites:
- Olmsted County: www.olmstedcounty.gov/vote
- City of Rochester: www.rochestermn.gov/vote
- Minnesota Secretary of State: www.mnvotes.org
Election videos
Olmsted County has videos available regarding election security and voting absentee. Check them out and learn more about how voting works in our county!