Election 2024 voting timeline and key dates in Minnesota explained

Tuesday is the deadline for Minnesota voters to register ahead of time to vote in the 2024 general election and marks the countdown to Election Day and beyond.

Here are the key dates on the election calendar, including post-election events that culminate with the meeting of the state’s 10 Electoral College members, who will officially elect the next president and vice president.

More information about the election, including how to vote, find your precinct, and see a list of items on your ballot, can be found at mnvotes.gov.

Oct. 15: Registration Deadline

This is the deadline to be added to the voter rolls used on Election Day. However, Minnesotans can still register to vote after this date when voting in person absentee or at their polling place on Election Day.

Oct. 18: Direct Balloting Begins

Those voting early can now place their ballot directly into the tabulator, but totals are not computed until after polls close on Election Day. Absentee ballots can also be processed starting this day, but voters can no longer claw back ballots that were miscast. Direct balloting was expanded from seven days before the election to 18 days in 2023

Oct. 26: Expanded Voting Hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

This is for those who vote early at voting centers or county election offices.

Oct. 29: Expanded Voting Hours (Open until 7 p.m.)

Nov. 2-3: Expanded Voting Hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Nov. 4: Expanded Voting Hours (Open until 5 p.m.)

Nov. 5: Election Day

Nearly all polling locations open at 7 a.m., though some rural precincts open at 10 a.m. All polling locations close at 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by local election officials by 8 p.m. This deadline was moved from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in 2023.

Nov. 8: County Canvassing Begins

Nov. 14: Post-Election Reviews Begin

Nov. 21: State Canvassing Board

This board reviews and totals the reports from the 87 county canvassing boards and certifies the results. It also oversees any recounts, if necessary, upon the request of an apparent losing candidate. The Secretary of State serves as chair and appoints two members of the state Supreme Court and two judges from the district courts.

Dec. 10: Certificate of Ascertainment Submitted

This official document issued by the governor identifies a state’s appointed electors for U.S. president and vice president and the final vote count for each candidate that received popular votes. This date was standardized by federal law so that all states conduct this process at the same time.

Dec. 17: Electoral College Assembly

Electors for the winning presidential and vice presidential candidates gather in state capitals to sign certifications of their votes.

Editor’s Note: Peter Callaghan wrote this story for MinnPost.com. Callaghan covers state government for MinnPost. 

This article first appeared on MinnPost and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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