Electoral Process (Elections and Voting)
Recent Changes
Recent changes to Minnesota election law allow cities to choose whether to offer in-person absentee voting for the full 46-day absentee voting period or only during the final 18 days before Election Day.
The City of Osseo has elected to offer in-person absentee voting and early voting during the final 18 days of the absentee voting period.
Voters who receive an absentee ballot by mail may still return their completed ballot to City Hall at any time during the full 46-day absentee voting period. However, in-person absentee voting services, including the issuance of ballots, will only be available during the City’s designated 18-day voting period.
We also encourage residents to remember that the Hennepin County Government Center offers in-person absentee voting during the entire 46-day absentee voting period and is available to all Hennepin County voters. However, in-person absentee voting services at Osseo City Hall, including the issuance of absentee ballots, will only be available during the City’s designated 18-day voting period.
Dates for the next city-administered elections:
- State Primary Election – Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- General Election – Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Polls will be open from 7am to 8pm on both election dates.
Important Dates for 2026:
July 24 – August 10: Absentee and early voting for the State Primary Election
July 14 – July 28: Candidate filing period open
July 21: Deadline to pre-register to vote for the State Primary Election
July 28: Candidate filing period closes at 5pm
July 30: Candidate withdrawal period ends at 5pm
August 11: State Primary Election Day – Polls open 7am-8pm
October 13: Deadline to pre-register to vote for the General Election
October 16 – November 2: Absentee and early voting for the State Primary Election
November 3: General Election Day – Polls open 7am-8pm
Vote Early in Person at City Hall
Absentee voting in person is available at Osseo City Hall, 415 Central Avenue:
Primary Election: Absentee Voting in Person begins July 24, 2026, through August 10, 2026.
General Election: Absentee Voting begins October 16, 2026, through November 2, 2026.
City Hall hours
Mondays — Thursdays from 7:30am until 5:00 pm
Fridays from 7:30 am until 11:30 am.
When voting absentee in person, you will be asked to complete a Minnesota Absentee Voting Application Form to begin the process of absentee voting. Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive a secrecy envelope, an absentee vote envelope and your ballot. Once your complete your ballot, place the ballot in the secrecy envelope and seal it, then place the secrecy envelope into the absentee ballot signature envelope and seal it. If voting at City Hall, return the absentee vote signature envelope to an election judge. You will be asked to provide appropriate information on the signature envelope and the election judge will be witness to your signature as you sign the signature envelope. If absentee voting is occurring at an alternate location, a registered voter must witness your signature on the signature envelope. If you have not registered please visit mnvotes.org.
Vote Early In Person Using Tabulator
This period begins 18 days prior to the election dates. If you prefer to place your ballot directly into the ballot counter rather then voting via absentee secrecy and absentee signature envelope, below are the dates early voting begins:
- Primary Election: Early Voting begins July 24, 2026, through August 10, 2026.
- General Election: Early Voting begins October 16, 2026, through November 2, 2026.
Extended Early Voting Hours
Primary Election
Saturday, August 8, 2026: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday, August 10, 2026: until 5:00 pm
General Election
Saturday, October 24, 2026: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday, October 27, 2026: until 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 31, 2026: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday, November 1, 2026: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday, November 2, 2026: until 5:00 pm
ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?
If you need to register to vote or update your voter registration, please visit Minnesota Secretary Of State – Register To Vote
Who can vote in Minnesota?
To vote you must be:
- A US Citizen
- At least 18 years old on Election Day (16 & 17 year olds can pre-register)
- A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
- Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
- Not under a court order that revokes your right to vote
Door-to-Door Advocacy
The City of Osseo requires Solicitors, Peddlers, and Transient Merchants to register with the Osseo Police Department and, in some cases, purchase a license to operate in the city. These restrictions do not apply to Door-to-Door advocacy, which includes “door-to-door canvassing and pamphleteering as vehicles for [sharing] religious, political and other ideas.” Canvassers and candidates are allowed to go door-to-door to contact residents at any time of year, but this is especially common during election season.
Questions?
Do you still have questions on the voting process or questions related to voting in Osseo? Please contact City Clerk by email or by phone at 763.425.2624.
Courtesy of Osseo government website: Elections and Voting | Osseo MN