Minnesota has set a new record for voting in a non-presidential election, with nearly one million ballots accepted before polling stations opened on Tuesday, November 3.
The state Secretary of State’s Office said 983,558 absentee and mail ballots had been accepted by 7am. Of those, 699,815 were cast in person during early voting and 283,743 were returned by post. ([sos.mn.gov](https://www.sos.mn.gov/about-the-office/news-room/983-558-ballots-accepted-ahead-of-november-3-election/?utm_source=openai))
The total has already surpassed the previous early-voting benchmark of 673,360 ballots, recorded during Minnesota’s 2022 midterm election. Officials expect the number to rise above one million as further ballots are processed on election day.
Minnesota voting record expected to rise further
About 170,000 absentee and mail ballots had still not been returned by Tuesday morning. The Secretary of State’s Office warned voters holding a ballot at home not to post it, but to deliver it to their local election office instead.
In-person returns to election offices must arrive by 5pm. Ballots sent by post, and those delivered through eligible mail-ballot or agent-delivery arrangements, must be received by 8pm to be counted. ([sos.mn.gov](https://www.sos.mn.gov/about-the-office/news-room/983-558-ballots-accepted-ahead-of-november-3-election/?utm_source=openai))
The surge follows a record pace during the early-voting period. By the close of business on October 29, 728,961 Minnesotans had voted, including 483,520 in person and 245,441 by mail — 61.3 per cent more than at the same stage of the 2022 midterms. Voting for the 2026 election began on September 18. ([sos.mn.gov](https://www.sos.mn.gov/about-the-office/news-room/728-961-ballots-accepted-in-first-six-weeks-of-voting-for-november-3-election/?searchTerm=election+results&utm_source=openai))
Minneapolis also recorded its highest number of ballots in a non-presidential election, with 52,661 absentee ballots accepted by October 29.
Polling places across Minnesota remained open until 8pm on election day. Anyone in line by that time could vote, while people who had not registered in advance could register at the polling station with proof of identity and residence.
The Secretary of State’s Office said unofficial election results would begin to be reported from 8pm, with county officials sending vote totals to the state as counting progressed. ([sos.mn.gov](https://www.sos.mn.gov/about-the-office/news-room/983-558-ballots-accepted-ahead-of-november-3-election/?utm_source=openai))
