Elections and Voting
Absentee voting hours
Absentee voting hours for the August 11 primary election are as follows:
Absentee voting begins on June 26, 2026 at the Government Services Center.
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Exceptions: June 19 and July 3 (closed for holiday observances)
Additional Hours:
Saturday, August 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, August 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, August 11, we will be open for:
- Ballot Drop off until 5 p.m.
- Agent Delivery Ballots (special paperwork required for this process) until 8 p.m.
- Voters from Clitherall, Dalton, Oscar Township, Rothsay, Urbank, and Western Township may drop off or vote in person until 8 p.m.
Absentee and Early Voting
Absentee voting allows you to vote by mail or in person prior to election day. All eligible voters in Minnesota can vote absentee, no reason required. You must first complete an absentee ballot application to vote by absentee ballot.
Early voting is for voters who want to vote in person prior to election day but want to place their ballot directly into the tabulation machine.
Apply for an absentee ballot
Obtain and submit an Absentee Ballot Application in one of the following ways:
- In-person at the Otter Tail County Elections Office in the Government Services Center. This provides you with the opportunity to apply for, receive, and cast your absentee ballot all in a single visit.
- Unable to visit in person? Call or email the Elections Office to request an application be mailed to you.
- You may also complete the absentee application process online at the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
After the Elections Office receives your absentee ballot application, your absentee ballot will be mailed or delivered to you as soon as it is available (46 days before an election). Please remember to apply as early as possible to provide the Elections Office adequate time to mail your absentee ballot materials to you.
Where’s my ballot?
If you have already submitted your application, use the Absentee Ballot Lookup to find out where your absentee ballot is in the process or contact the Elections Office.
Military/living abroad or college students
Serving in the military or living abroad? Have an absentee ballot sent to you wherever you are in the world! Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website for the online and paper absentee ballot application.
If you are a college student and want to use your parent’s address as your residence but won’t be home to vote, you can also vote absentee. Visit the Secretary of State website for more information.
Returning your ballot
Once a ballot is received, vote absentee in one of the following ways:
- In person: Return your ballot in person to the Elections Office in the Government Services Building by 5:00 p.m. on or before the election dates highlighted in green on the Minnesota Secretary of State Elections Calendar. NOTE: You may NOT drop your ballot off at your polling place on election day.
- By mail: Return your ballot by mail to the Elections office by the election dates highlighted in green on the Minnesota Secretary of State Elections Calendar. Ballots must be received by USPS mail in the Elections office by 8:00 p.m. on election day. Ballots postmarked on election day but not received will not be counted.
- Mail ballot precincts: If you reside in a mail ballot precinct, you may vote in person at the Elections office or return your ballot in person until 8:00 p.m. on election day.