This story was originally published by MinnPost.
Tuesday is the deadline for Minnesota voters to register ahead of time to vote in the 2024 general election and marks the countdown to Election Day and beyond.
Here are the key dates on the election calendar, including post-election events that end with the meeting of the state’s 10 members of the Electoral College who will officially elect the next president and vice president.
More information about the election including how to vote, how to find your precinct and a list of items on your ballot can be found at mnvotes.gov.
Oct. 15: Registration Deadline
This is the deadline to get on the voter rolls used on Election Day. But Minnesotans can still register to vote after this date while voting in-person absentee or at their polling place on Election Day.
Oct. 18: Direct Balloting Begins
Those voting early can now place their ballot directly into the tabulator but totals are not computed until after polls close on Election Day. Absentee ballots can also be processed starting this day but voters can no longer claw back ballots that were miscast. Direct balloting was expanded from seven days before election to 18 days in 2023
Oct. 26: Expanded Voting Hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
This is for those who vote early at voting centers or at county elections offices.
Oct. 29: Expanded Voting Hours (Open until 7 p.m.)
Nov. 2-3: Expanded Voting Hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Nov. 4: Expanded Voting Hours (Open until 5 p.m.)
Nov. 5: Election Day
Nearly all polling locations open at 7 a.m., though a small number of rural precincts will open at 10 a.m. All polling locations will close at 8 p.m. All absentee ballots must be received by local election officials by 8 p.m. This deadline was moved back from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in 2023.
Nov. 8: County Canvassing Begins
Nov. 14: Post-Election Reviews Begin
Nov. 21: State Canvassing Board
This board reviews and totals the reports from the 87 county canvassing boards and certifies the results. It also oversees any recounts, if necessary, upon the request of an apparent losing candidate. The Secretary of State serves as chair and appoints two members of the state Supreme Court and two judges from the district courts.
Dec. 10: Certificate of Ascertainment Submitted
This is an official document issued by the governor that identifies a state's appointed electors for U.S. President and Vice President, and the final vote count for each candidate that received popular votes. This date was standardized by federal law so that all states conduct this process at the same time.
Dec. 17: Electoral College Assembly
Electors for the winning presidential and vice presidential candidates gather in state capitals to sign certifications of their votes.
This article first appeared on MinnPost and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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