Jacob Borealis for Dakota County Commissioner · District 6

How to Vote in the Primary

The primary election is how District 6 residents choose who appears on the November ballot. Your vote in August is just as important as your vote in November — and there are several ways to cast it.

Key dates

June 26, 2026

Absentee & early in-person voting opens

You can request a mail ballot online, or begin voting early in person at the Dakota County election office. This is 46 days before Election Day.

July 21, 2026

Voter registration deadline (online & in person)

Register online or in person by this date to avoid same-day registration on Election Day. Registering early saves time at the polls.

July 22, 2026

Voter registration deadline (by mail)

Last day to mail or fax your voter registration application to the county elections office.

July 24, 2026

Early voting begins

Starting July 24, you can cast your ballot directly into a tabulator at the county election office — the same experience as voting on Election Day, but earlier.

August 10, 2026

Last day for early in-person voting

Early in-person voting ends at 5:00 p.m. the day before the election. In-person absentee ballots must be received by the county by 5:00 p.m.

August 11, 2026

Primary Election Day

Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Same-day voter registration is available at your polling place. Mail ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m.

Option 1 — Vote by mail

No excuse is required to vote by mail in Minnesota. Any registered voter can request a mail ballot. Request yours as early as possible to give yourself time to complete and return it before the deadline.

Request your ballot online

Starting June 26, visit mnvotes.gov/absentee to request your mail ballot. You'll need your Minnesota driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Receive and complete your ballot

Your ballot will arrive by mail. Read the instructions carefully. A witness signature is required — ask a household member, neighbor, or any adult to sign as your witness.

Return your ballot — don't wait

Mail it back using the prepaid return envelope. Your ballot must be received by 8:00 p.m. on August 11 — postmarked isn't enough. Mail at least one week early to be safe, or drop it off in person at the Dakota County election office by 5:00 p.m. on August 10.

Track your ballot

Confirm your ballot was received at mnvotes.gov/trackmyballot.

Tip: Request your ballot as soon as June 26 and return it well before Election Day. Don't leave it to the last week.

Option 2 — Vote in person

You have two windows to vote in person: early voting before Election Day, and in-person voting on August 11 at your assigned polling place.

Early in-person voting (June 26 – August 10)

Go to the Dakota County election office

Starting June 26, vote early at the Dakota County Administration Center. Hours are Monday – Friday during business hours. Extended hours are available Saturday, August 8 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and Monday, August 10 (until 5 p.m.). Check current hours at co.dakota.mn.us/Elections.

Starting July 24 — vote directly into the tabulator

Beginning 18 days before the election, you can cast your ballot directly into a ballot tabulator at the county office — the same experience as Election Day voting, just earlier.

Election Day in person (August 11)

Find your polling place

Look up your assigned polling location at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us. Polling places in Lakeville are typically schools, community centers, and city facilities.

Confirm your registration

Check your registration status at mnvotes.gov/register. If you're already registered at your current address, you're ready. If you've moved or never registered, you can register at the polling place on Election Day — bring proof of residence.

Show up and vote

Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. No photo ID is required in Minnesota, but you'll need to provide your name and address. As long as you are in line by 8:00 p.m., you can vote. You may bring someone to assist you.

Note: Minnesota does not require a photo ID to vote. If you are asked for ID and do not have one, you have the right to vote using other means of identification.

Are you eligible to vote?

To vote in the 2026 Minnesota Primary, you must:

Be 18 years old or older by August 11, 2026
Be a U.S. citizen
Have lived in Minnesota for at least 20 days before the election
Not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
Not be under a court order that revokes your right to vote

If you have a past felony conviction but are not currently incarcerated, you are eligible to vote. Questions about eligibility can be directed to the Minnesota Secretary of State at 1-877-600-VOTE (8683).

Official resources

Check or update your registration

mnvotes.gov/register

Request a mail ballot

mnvotes.gov/absentee

Find your polling place

pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us

Track your absentee ballot

mnvotes.gov/trackmyballot

Dakota County Elections Office

co.dakota.mn.us/Elections

Minnesota Secretary of State