Ramsey County has flipped the switch on in-person early voting, giving local voters more places to cast or return ballots ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. The county elections office and two Ramsey County library branches are now staffed during weekday hours, with a few extra windows at select sites through early August. Absentee-by-mail requests have been available since June 26, and mailed ballots still have to meet state deadlines to be counted.
The county's elections office at the Plato Building is accepting in-person absentee ballots on weekdays for voters who want to drop off completed mail ballots or vote early in person. According to Ramsey County Elections, the Plato Building is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Officials are urging voters to confirm their assigned precinct before heading out and to plan around posted hours to dodge the worst of the lines.
Where to vote and when
The county is staffing three early voting locations for the primary: the Ramsey County Elections Office in St. Paul and Ramsey County Library branches in Roseville and Shoreview. As reported by the Pioneer Press, the Roseville branch will be open on weekdays and the Shoreview site will offer limited weekday hours through Aug. 10, with exact windows varying by site. Municipal notices also note that Ramsey County residents may use any early voting location regardless of the city where they live, per the City of North St. Paul.
Deadlines and what's on the ballot
State rules set firm return deadlines: absentee ballots returned by mail must be received by 8 p.m. on Aug. 11, and ballots returned in person must arrive at a local election office by 5 p.m. that day, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State. The Secretary of State also notes early voting opened June 26 and that the Aug. 11 primary will narrow party nominees for statewide and federal offices, including U.S. Senate and governor, as well as U.S. House, state legislative and many local contests. Officials recommend building in extra time for mail delivery or dropping ballots off in person so every vote clears the deadline.
How to check your polling place and track a ballot
Voters can find their assigned polling place, view a sample ballot and track an absentee or mail ballot at mnvotes.gov. If you have questions about hours, drop-off options or replacing a lost ballot, Ramsey County Elections can be reached through the county's elections contact page.
Library early voting sites can be busiest in late afternoons and on weekends, so weekday mornings often move fastest. If you plan to vote early, give yourself a little extra time and bring any documents you might need to update your registration when you arrive.
