There are two ways to vote by absentee ballot: in person and by mail. Complete your absentee ballot application at mnvotes.org 

Absentee Voting Period is 1-19-24 through 3-4-24. Stearns County (available to residents of the county)

You may cast an absentee ballot in person, at the St. Cloud City Hall, 1201 7th St S or the Stearns County Service Center, 3301 County Road 138 starting 46 days prior to Election Day. This option is available on weekdays during business hours. In addition, the county auditor's office must be open for absentee balloting from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on the Saturday before the election and until 5:00 PM on the day before the election.

In Person Absentee Voting - St. Joseph Government Center (only available to residents of St. Joseph)

The City of St. Joseph offers in person absentee voting 1 week prior to election day.  Voting is available on weekdays during business hours. The city is also open from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on the Saturday before election day and until 5:00 PM on the day before the election. Early voting is offered at the St. Joseph Government Center. Residents of all three precincts are able to vote during this time. 

Absentee Voting by Mail - mnvotes.org

In order to vote absentee by mail, you need to complete an Absentee Ballot Application and submit it to the Stearns County Auditor's Office by mail, fax, or email (print off the application, sign it, scan it, and attach to an email as a .pdf). Your ballot will be sent to you when it is ready - at least 46 days prior to the election if you applied for an absentee ballot in advance. If you apply for an absentee ballot within 46 days of the election, your ballot will arrive within a day or two of your application being received.

You are also able to permanently receive absentee ballots mailed to you by completing the Application to Automatically Receive Absentee Ballots and submitting it to Stearns County.

Returning your absentee ballot

Once you have received your absentee ballot, follow the enclosed instructions carefully and return your ballot as soon as possible. It must be received by the local election official who sent it to you by Election Day, or it will not be counted. There are four ways you can return your absentee ballot: 

1. Mail back your ballot in the pre-paid envelope provided by your local election official.
2. Up until 5 p.m. on the day before the election, you may deliver your ballot in person to the Stearns County Service Center.
3. You may also have someone else return your completed ballot, sealed in its envelope, to the Stearns County Service Center until 3 p.m. on Election Day. 
4. If you are worried about your ballot not arriving on time using First Class mail, you may choose to pay for package delivery service to return your ballot. 

Checking on the Status of Your Absentee Ballot

To find out where your absentee ballot is in the process, go to mnvotes.org

Assistance in Receiving & Returning an Absentee Ballot

The following voters may authorize another person (known as their "agent") to pick up and return an absentee ballot for them during the seven days before the election:

• Patients in hospitals, residential treatment centers, and nursing homes
• Residents of assisted living facilities
• Residents of battered women's shelters
• Residents of group homes
• Voters who are disabled
• Voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons

If you are currently living in a residential facility but not sure if it meets the qualifications listed above, please ask the administrator of your facility.