Early estimates show Minnesota set a new midterm voting turnout record in 2026.
About 2.87 million voters cast ballots on or before Election Day, Nov. 3. That's 65.16% of eligible voters, the highest percentage for a midterm since at least 1950.
In a statement Wednesday, Secretary of State Steve Simon noted the election follows a longstanding statewide tradition of voter engagement on Election Day.
“Minnesota has once again made history for voter participation,” he stated. “This is a victory for every Minnesotan who showed up during the voting period to take part in our shared democracy.”
Minnesota placed second in voter turnout by state this year, according to preliminary data from the University of Florida's Election Lab.
Maine topped the list with slightly higher turnout at 65.78%, though the northeastern state has a notably smaller voting population at about 1.16 million voters. Minnesota has over 4.4 million eligible voters.
In his statement, Simon also noted the work of local election officials and the over 30,000 Minnesotans who served as election workers.
"Without their efforts, elections simply would not happen," Simon said. "This year, especially, they deserve extra thanks for their grace under pressure."
Election results are unofficial until county or state canvassing boards certify them.
County boards will meet over the next couple of weeks to certify results for county offices and legislative offices located within a single county.
The State Canvassing Board will certify statewide results and results that span multiple counties on Nov. 19.
More information on voter turnout is available on the Minnesota secretary of state's website.
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