Voting by mail is a healthy option because you vote at home. If you go out at all, it's only to mail or drop off your ballot.

Voting by mail is also called absentee voting or early voting by mail in Minnesota.

You can track your ballot online.

Healthy tips for voting by mail in Minnesota

• If you are dropping off your ballot at a mailbox, drop box, or voting location, follow local public health guidelines. Get vaccinated and boosted, keep physical distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask to protect yourself and others.

Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going on Election Day itself. Early voting methods vary, so check the options available in your area.

Early voting is also called in-person absentee voting in Minnesota.

Healthy tips for early voting in Minnesota

• Get vaccinated and boosted, keep physical distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
• Follow instructions for healthy voting at your early voting location.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Wash with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol before and after voting.
• If you can, go when the early voting center will not be as busy, usually mid-morning or early-afternoon.

When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Voting centers also have accessible voting systems and language access options.

Healthy tips for voting in person on Election Day in Minnesota

• Follow instructions for healthy voting at your in-person voting location.
• Get vaccinated and boosted, keep physical distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
• Before and after voting, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• If you can, go when the polling place will not be as busy, usually mid-morning or early-afternoon.

The best way to learn exactly what options are available to you is at your state and local elections office.

• Visit the state election information page for the accessible options required in your state.
• Visit or call your local elections office for details of hours and locations.

Accessible voting by mail in Minnesota

If you can mark, verify and cast a paper mail-in ballot privately and independently, voting by mail is a healthy option, especially if you can use a drop-off location to return your ballot.

For the November 8, 2022 general election in Minnesota:

• All registered voters can request an absentee ballot.
• Postage is pre-paid, so you don’t need a stamp.
• You can track your ballot online.

Some elections offices offer accessible ballot marking tools for voters who cannot mark a vote-by-mail ballot without assistance. These tools let you download a ballot that you can mark on your personal computer, with your own assistive technology. You then print and return the ballot by mail or in-person. Check with your local elections office for information.

Accessible voting in person

For the November 8, 2022 general election in Minnesota:

• Polling places are open on Election Day.

Federal law requires that every in-person voting location has at least 1 accessible voting system. Look for information about how to use the accessible voting systems on the state accessibility information page or contact your local elections office.

Based on changing public health guidance and state policy, voting locations may change before the election or several polling places may be consolidated into one larger location. Check your local election office for up to date information about voting locations and opening hours.

If you have a choice of when to vote, in-person voting locations are usually less crowded mid-morning or early afternoon.

Voters with disabilities may be able to use an accessible voting system at the elections office before Election Day.

Other accessible voting options

Ask your local elections office about whether these accessible voting options are available:

• Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program.
• Curbside or drive-up voting, so you don’t have to get out of your car.
• Election and voting information in large print, audio, or Braille versions.
• Any requirements to have someone assist you in marking and casting your ballot.