STORY

New American Voting Guide 2026

New citizen’s guide to voting in Minnesota 2026

October 2, 2026 | Congratulations to all the newest U.S. citizens who have the opportunity to vote for the first time in an election!  The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

You can also vote early starting Friday, October 16 through Monday, November 2. Early voting allows a voter to cast their ballot directly into a ballot counter before Election Day. 

Here is a New Voters fact sheet with detailed steps explaining the process.

Below are a few important reminders about who can vote, as stated by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office.

 You must be:
  • A U.S. citizen
  • 18 years old on Election Day
  • A resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days
  • Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
  • Not under a court order that revokes your right to vote
Need help on Election Day? Call 1-877-600-VOTE

Find trusted information

If you are confused about election rules, check with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office or your immigration attorney. Be aware of fraudulent websites pretending to be trusted organizations.

Official voting instructions and details from the Minnesota Secretary of State are also available in Spanish, Somali and Hmong. Download voting information flyers below:

If you’re eligible for citizenship and want to vote in future elections, the Institute is happy to help you with your citizenship application. Learn more about applying for U.S. citizenship or call our Immigration Services team to schedule an appointment: (651) 377-8642.

Plan for voting day

1) Find your polling place based on your current address.

2) Voting Hours: Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.

3) Plan your transportation for Election Day. If you ride the bus, you can use Metro Transit’s online trip planner.

4) Voting Registration: If you are a U.S. citizen, but you are not yet registered to vote, that is okay! Minnesota allows eligible voters to register on Election Day. Here is how:

  • Bring an ID with your current name and address (see approved types of ID)
  • Go to your polling place with a registered voter who will sign an oath confirming your address.

4) Identification: If you are a U.S. citizen and you are already registered to vote in Minnesota, you do not need to show identification at your polling place.

5) Voting During Work Hours: You have the right to paid time off work to vote if it falls within your scheduled work time. Learn more about the rules of taking time off work to vote and about other voting rights of U.S. citizens.

6) Early voting is open until November 2, 2026 in Minnesota. Learn how to vote early.