What you need to know to vote in Minnesota's November election

Voting is underway in Minnesota's Nov. 8 general election.

Under state law, voters can cast their ballot by mail or in person up to 46 days before an election. Absentee balloting exploded in the 2020 election because of concerns about long lines at the polls and the spread of COVID-19.

The convenience of voting ahead of time is expected to remain popular with certain voters, but state officials anticipate many Minnesotans will return to voting in person on Election Day this cycle.

Whatever you decide, here's what you need to know to successfully cast your ballot on or before the Nov. 8 election.

You can apply for an absentee ballot on the Secretary of State's website if you're eligible to register and vote in Minnesota. To apply online, you must provide a valid email address and either your Minnesota-issued driver's license or state ID card number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can also print out a paper application to get a ballot and mail it to your local election office.

You can vote now, but there are a few extra steps when voting by mail. You'll need a registered Minnesota voter or a notary to act as a witness as you complete your ballot. That person must then sign a signature envelope included with your absentee ballot and list the witness' address. Notaries need to write down their name and title and sign the signature envelope.

You can mail in your ballot anytime during the 46-day window before the election, as long as your ballot is delivered via USPS or a courier service by 8 p.m. on Election Day, the same time polls close. Otherwise, it won't be counted. Give your mail carrier a few days to collect your ballot and get it to your local election office.

Yes, you have until 3 p.m. on Election Day to return your ballot to the office that sent it to you if you're dropping it off in person. Do not go to your polling place to drop off your ballot — it must be returned to your local election office.

There are a few options to remedy a mistake on a mail-in ballot. The easiest way is to ask the local election office that sent you the ballot to send a replacement. If there's not enough time to do that before Election Day, the Secretary of State's office says you can clearly cross out the name of the candidate you didn't intend to vote for and select the candidate you prefer.

You can ask to cancel your ballot until the close of business one week before Election Day (after that, you can't). To cancel your ballot, contact the local election office that sent it to you. After it's canceled, you have a few options: have a new ballot mailed to you, vote in person at your local election office or vote at your polling place on Election Day.

Yes. The status of mail-in ballots can be tracked on the Secretary of State's website.

There are many layers of security around the mail-in balloting process, including the fact that voters must include their Social Security or ID information to order an absentee ballot. That ballot will be counted only if it's returned with the same information. There are also many checks in the system to make sure a ballot is counted correctly.

You can vote early at your local elections office. Each county has an election office, and depending on where you live, there may be more than one place to vote early. Some cities have their own early-voting locations as well. Contact your local officials to find out where to vote.

Early voting locations are open during their normal business hours during the 46 days before Election Day, but many offer extended hours closer to the election, including the last Saturday before Nov. 8.

You can register in person at your early-voting location if you bring proof of residence.

On Election Day, you'll vote at your local polling location. The Secretary of State's office has a poll finder tool on its website. Most polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Yes, Minnesota state law allows you to register at your polling place on Election Day. You will need proof of residence if you register in person.

You can also save yourself the time at your polling place by pre-registering to vote on the Secretary of State's website or by filling out a paper application before Oct. 18. You will need your Minnesota driver's license, identification card number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

No. Minnesota does not have political party registration, meaning you do not have to publicly declare affiliation with a party when you register to vote.