Special election to fill vacancy in Minnesota’s 1st congressional district

On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the state’s Congressional District 1 seat following the February 17, 2022 death of Representative Jim Hagedorn.

A special election to fill the vacancy will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. If necessary, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

The special election will use the current map of Minnesota’s Congressional Districts. The winner of the special election will hold the position for the remainder of the two-year term, and would need to run in the November 8, 2022 General Election using the redrawn map if they would like to run for re-election.

Candidate filing period

Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State between Tuesday, March 1, 2022, and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

Absentee voting

If a special primary election is necessary, absentee voting would begin on Friday, April 8, 2022. Absentee voting for the August 9 special election will begin June 24, 2022. You may download an absentee application from the Minnesota Secretary of State website. Once you have filled out the application, please drop it off or mail it to the Olmsted County Elections Office located at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904.

You can also vote in-person at the Olmsted County Elections Office 46 days prior to an election.

More information on absentee voting in Olmsted County can be found on the Olmsted County website.  

Where to vote on Election Day

Please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website for more information on your polling location.

Become an Election Assistant

Olmsted County is currently searching for an Election Assistant to help during the election process. The position is paid, and job responsibilities would include providing customer support to voters, answering phone calls, assisting with election judge training, and monitoring supplies. More information on the position and an online application can be found on the Olmsted County website.

More Election Day information can be found on the Olmsted County and City of Rochester websites.