Early voting begins for Minnesota’s Primary Election

Voting for Minnesota’s Aug. 13 Primary Election began on June 28, 2024. In the primary, voters choose candidates to appear on the November 5 General Election ballot.

Minnesota’s no-excuse absentee voting law allows eligible voters to cast their ballot starting 46 days before the election. All absentee and mail ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day.

For Mille Lacs County residents, early voting will be available at the Mille Lacs County Historic Courthouse, 635 2nd St. S.E., Milaca. Questions on county elections can be directed to elections@millelacs.mn.gov.

The local primary ballots will include:

- State Representative District 10A – Republicans Ron Kresha (incumbent) of Little Falls and Republican Diane Webb-Skillings of Aitkin. State House District 10A includes parts of Mille Lacs, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec, and Morrison County. The district includes the Messenger communities of Isle, Onamia and Wahkon, plus the townships of Bradbury, East Side, Isle Harbor, Kathio, Lewis, Mudget, Onamia and South Harbor.

- U.S. representative to Congress, 8th District: Pete Stauber (R), incumbent, Harry R. Welty (R), John Munter (D) and Jen Schultz (D). All of Mille Lacs County along with most of northeastern Minnesota is in the 8th District.

- Mille Lacs County Commissioner District 3: Martin Grimm, Diana Klages, Jay Munson, Aaron James Plumski. The district includes Milaca, Milaca Township and Foreston.

- U.S. Senator (Major Parties): John Berman (R), Loner Blue (R), Joe Fraser (R), Alycia R. Gruenhagen (R), Patrick D. Munro (R), Raymond D. Petersen (R), Christopher Seymore Sr. (R), Royce White (R).

- Amy Klobuchar (D), incumbent; Steve Carlson (D), Ahmad R. Hassan (D), George H. Kalberer (D), Ole Savior (D).

The Aug. 13 Primary is the first statewide primary election since the passage of the restoration of voting rights for Minnesotans with felony convictions who are not currently incarcerated.

At mnvotes.gov, voters can register to vote, check their voter registration, request a ballot to vote from home, and track their ballot. Voters can also find their polling place and view a sample ballot in English.

Election Call Center - Voters can call the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State at 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) to ask their voting-related questions. The call center is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Become an Election Judge — Minnesota needs 30,000 election judges during every statewide election. Election judges are paid, temporary workers hired by local election offices. Election judges are trained to handle all aspects of voting at the polling place. Area residents interested should contact the Mille Lacs County voting office at the county courthouse. Email: elections@millelacs.mn.gov.