Residents may vote by an absentee ballot by requesting one, completing it according to the enclosed instructions, and returning it in the envelopes provided. Absentee ballots must arrive by Election Day.
For March Township elections, absentee ballots are available 30 days prior to the election day. For all other elections, absentee ballots are available 46 days prior to the election day.
Absentee ballots may be mailed to a voter, completed in person, or completed via agent delivery. Residents who are overseas or active military are also able to vote absentee.
In person
You can request an absentee ballot at the following locations during the absentee ballot period.
Municipal locations have ballots for precincts within that municipality only. The three county service centers have ballots for any precinct in the county.
- Administration Center: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (For March 9 Township Elections, May 11 School Special Elections, and Nov. 2 School Elections)
- Western Service Center: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (For March 9 Township Elections, May 11 School Special Elections, and Nov. 2 School Elections)
- Northern Service Center: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (For Nov. 2 School Election)
- School district locations:
Early voting
During the seven days leading up to Election Day, voters may opt to deposit their ballot directly into the vote counter.This option will be available at the following county location:
By mail
For state primary and state general election, download, complete and sign an 
Absentee Ballot Application.
Return the forms by:
- Mail to:
Administration Center
Attn: Elections
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343
- Email scanned document to elections@co.dakota.mn.us
- Fax to 651-438-4391
- Bringing application to a county or municipal office (with the exception of West St. Paul)
Mailed absentee ballots
Requested absentee ballots will be sent as quickly as possible. Initial mailings of absentee ballots for most elections take place 46 days before the election. Absentee ballots for March township elections will be sent 30 days before the election. Be sure to review the enclosed instructions, complete your absentee ballot, sign your signature envelope and return it in the provided envelope postmarked by Election Day.
Agent delivery
In special situations, you may ask an agent to pick up and deliver your ballot materials in the seven days prior to an election day. To qualify for agent delivery, you must meet one of the following:
- Live in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential treatment center, women's shelter or group home
- Be hospitalized
- Be unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or disability.
An agent must be over the age of 18, have a personal relationship to you, and cannot be a candidate on the ballot.
For more information and the appropriate forms, go to mnvotes.org.
If you’re not registered
If your registration is not current or complete, a voter registration application will be included with your absentee ballot materials. The completed voter registration application must be returned with your voted ballot.
Options for uniformed & overseas citizens
Dakota County voters who are overseas including those in the military, their spouses, or others may vote by absentee ballot using the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. For more information, go to the Minnesota Military and Overseas Voters (FPCA) website and complete the form online. Print out a copy of the form and send it to:
Administration Center
Attn: Elections
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343
Military personnel, their families and citizens living outside the United States (including Canada and Mexico) may have application requests submitted by the voter, voter's parents, spouse, sibling or child over the age of 18 years. Applications can be submitted in person at the Administration Center, Western Service Center and Northern Service Center.
Additional voting information and resources for Americans living abroad can be found at the Administration Center or the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.