Voting absentee in the November General Election

September 16, 2024

Beginning Friday, September 20, 2024, eligible voters in Minnesota can vote absentee for the November 5, 2024, General Election. Absentee ballots can be requested through the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.  

There are several ways to vote absentee during this 46-day period. 

Absentee by mail  

To vote absentee by mail, you will need a witness, who can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. Completed ballots can be returned by mail or in person to the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904. Please note that your ballot must be received by Election Day at 8 p.m. to be counted. 

Absentee in person  

You can also submit your absentee ballot in person at the Olmsted County Elections Office, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, the office will be open on Saturday, October 26, 2024, Saturday, November 2, 2024, and Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will have extended hours Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Direct balloting   

Direct balloting, which allows voters to submit their ballots directly into a tabulator or use absentee envelopes, will be available 18 days before the 2024 General Election at the Olmsted County Elections Office: 

  • Location: 2122 Campus Drive SE, Suite 300, in Rochester 
  • Dates: October 18, 2024 – November 4, 2024 
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, November 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday November 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Direct balloting will also be available at Rochester City Hall, seven days before Election Day: 

  • Location: 201 4th St. SE in Rochester, Conference room 104 
  • Dates: October 29 – November 4, 2024  
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Saturday, November 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, November 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Permanent absentee voter status 

As of June 1, 2024, voters with permanent absentee voter status will automatically receive an absentee ballot. Voter registration applications now include an option to join the permanent absentee voter list. If you are already registered and wish to attain permanent absentee voter status, you will need to update your voter registration. If you are unsure whether you currently have permanent absentee voter status, please email or call the Olmsted County Elections Office at 507-328-7650. 

Questions?  

For more information and frequently asked questions about voting in Olmsted County, please visit Olmsted County’s website. Details about Minnesota’s new elections laws are available on the Secretary of State’s website.  

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Media contact: Rachel Wick, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6537