Absentee Voting

Vote Early - Vote Absentee!

If you will be unable to vote on Election Day, you may want to vote by casting an absentee ballot.
Anyone who wishes to vote by absentee ballot may do so beginning 46 days before Election Day.

For the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, the absentee voting period will be June 22 through August 8, 2022.

For the General Election on Tuesday, November 8, the absentee voting period will be September 23 through November 7, 2022.

Ways to Vote with an Absentee Ballot

Absentee voters can cast their absentee ballot in two ways: 

1.  In-Person Absentee Voting

Eligible voters may cast an absentee ballot in person beginning 46 days prior to each election at East Bethel City Hall or at the Anoka County Government Center. You will be asked to complete an absentee ballot application.

During regular business hours:

  • Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

During extended voting hours:

  • Saturday prior to Election Day, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Monday before Election Day, until 5:00 PM

2.  Absentee Voting by Mail

All absentee voters must first complete an absentee ballot application.

Step 1: Request an Absentee Ballot Application (1 of 3 ways)

Step 2: Return Your Paper Applications (if not submitted online)

  • Email: send a scanned image of your application to elections@co.anoka.mn.us
  • Postal mail: Anoka County Elections, 2100 3rd Avenue, Suite 160, Anoka, MN 55303
  • Fax: 763-324-1160

Please note: Applications received at the county before the start of the absentee period will have their ballots sent out on the first day of the absentee period. After the start of the absentee period, ballots will be mailed out as soon as applications are received. Please apply as early as possible to ensure prompt delivery!

Step 3: Vote!
Generally, an absentee ballot will be mailed to you within two business days. High volume may result in longer delivery times. The absentee ballot will contain voting instructions and a return envelope.

Step 4: Return Your Ballot
Be sure to follow the absentee instructions very carefully and return the ballot as soon as possible. Voters with a new registration, or an updated registration, are required to have a notary or a registered Minnesota voter sign their envelope as a witness. The notary can be from any state.

Return your ballot by Election Day to the address on the return envelope. There are three options to return your ballot:

  • By mail: Send your ballot so it arrives on or before Election Day using U.S. mail or a package delivery service. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be received on or before Election Day. 
  • Deliver it in person by 3:00 PM on Election Day.
  • Ask someone to deliver your ballot for you by 3:00 PM on Election Day. This person cannot deliver more than three ballots.

The Anoka County Elections Department has a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Absentee Voting by Mail.

You Voted Absentee - Now What?

So you applied to vote absentee and sent in your ballot or dropped it off at your local elections office. What happens now? In this behind-the-scenes look, learn the steps Anoka County Elections takes to ensure your vote is counted.