Any resident can vote by an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are available 46 days before all elections except March township elections. Ballots for those elections are available 30 days prior to the election and must be returned — not postmarked — to Dakota County Elections by election day.
Request an absentee ballot
In person
You can request an absentee ballot at the following county locations:
- Administration Center: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Northern Service Center: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Western Service Center: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
City locations
Residents of the following cities may requests ballots at the location listed (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
- Apple Valley: 7100 147th St. W, Apple Valley
- Burnsville: 100 Civic Center Pkwy., Burnsville
- Eagan: 1001 Station Trail, Eagan
- Farmington: 430 3rd St., Farmington
- Hastings: 101 4th St. E, Hastings
- Inver Grove Heights: 8150 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights
- Lakeville: 20195 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville
- Mendota Heights: 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
- Northfield: 801 Washington St., Northfield
- Rosemount: 2875 145th St. W, Rosemount
- South St Paul: 125 3rd Ave. N, South St Paul
Early voting
Voters may opt to deposit their ballot directly into the ballot box during the seven days prior to the election. This option will be available at the following county location:
City locations
Residents of the following cities may participate in early voting at the location listed (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
- Apple Valley: 7100 147th St. W, Apple Valley
- Burnsville: 100 Civic Center Pkwy., Burnsville
- Eagan: 1001 Station Trail, Eagan
- Farmington: 430 3rd St., Farmington
- Hastings: 101 4th St. E, Hastings
- Inver Grove Heights: 8150 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights
- Lakeville: 20195 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville
- Mendota Heights: 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
- Northfield: 801 Washington St., Northfield
- Rosemount: 2875 145th St. W, Rosemount
- South St Paul: 125 3rd Ave. N, South St Paul
Extended hours for voting by an absentee ballot (at county or municipal office)
- For General election
Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Online
Registration may be submitted online at mnvotes.org.
By mail
Complete an 
Absentee Ballot Application and return it by:
- Mail
- Email scanned document to elections@co.dakota.mn.us
- Fax to 651-438-4391
- Bringing application to a county or municipal office
Applications mailed to the County should be sent to:
Administration Center
Attn: Elections
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343
Absentee ballots sent to you
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 and return it in the provided envelope.
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.
