Early Voting Begins for August Primary Election
The primary election isn’t until Aug. 14, but early voting has begun in Minnesota. Early voting, also known as absentee voting, is underway through Aug. 13.
If you want to vote early, you don’t need to provide a reason why. Anyone is allowed to cast an absentee ballot. Legislators changed the voting requirements in 2013 with a “no-excuses early voting” law.
“Before, you used to have an excuse to vote absentee. Now you don’t,” says Brooklyn Park City Clerk Devin Montero.
Early Voting Grows in Popularity
This year’s primary election may generate a higher voter turnout with high-stakes statewide races on the ballot.
“More people are becoming aware about early voting,” says Montero. “Plus, it just depends on what’s on the ballot. Right now, there’s a special election for Al Franken’s seat.”
Statewide races for governor, attorney general, and U.S. Senate are expected to draw more voters to the August primary.
DFL Governor Mark Dayton is not seeking a third term. The field of candidates to replace Dayton includes five DFLers and three Republicans.
The primary will whittle the number of gubernatorial candidates down to one candidate for each party.
Early Voting Underway in Brooklyn Park
In Brooklyn Park, four candidates are vying for mayor, including incumbent Jeff Lunde.
With the primary election, the field narrows down to two candidates. Those candidates will face off in the November election.
Early voters in Brooklyn Park can cast their ballot in-person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Water Treatment Facility, located across from Brooklyn Park City Hall. Saturday hours are available on Aug. 11.
For more information on how to vote early in other cities, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.
