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.
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 for the Feb. 14 Empire Special Election, March 14 Township Election and the Nov. 7 General Election.
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Administration Center: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Early voting Empire Special Election: Tuesday, Feb. 7-Friday, Feb. 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 13, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Early voting Township Election: Tuesday, March 7-Friday, March 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday, March 13, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Early voting General Election: Tuesday, Oct. 31-Friday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 6, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Western Service Center: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Early voting: None
By mail
For special elections 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.
After absentee ballot is received
When an absentee is received, it is reviewed by an absentee ballot board made up of a team of two members who are election judges of different major political parties. When needed, the board may include deputy county auditors trained in the processing and counting of absentee ballots.
The board checks that the signature envelope was filled out correctly before accepting the ballot and placing in secure storage for counting. Absentee ballot board meetings occur throughout the absentee voting period.
To determine if a ballot is accepted, they look at the signature envelope to ensure:
- The name and address match what was on the absentee application
- The ID matches what was on the absentee application
- The voter has signed the envelope
- A witness has completed the witness portion
The board will also ensure:
- The voter is registered or has included a properly completed voter registration application
- The voter has not already voted in the election
To learn more about how absentee ballots are accepted and counted, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website.