A Neighbor’s Guide to the 2026 MN Primary (including Ramsey City Council - At Large seat)
What IS a Primary and How to Vote Here in Ramsey?
Hey neighbor — Minnesota's state primary election is coming up on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and I wanted to pull together everything you need in one place. Keeping it simple and focusing on just what a primary actually is, why it's worth your time, and exactly how and where to vote right here in Ramsey.
What Is a Primary Election, Anyway?
Think of a primary as the “narrowing down” round. It's a preliminary vote that decides which candidates make it onto the November ballot.
Your primary ballot will likely have two different kinds of races on it, and they work a little differently:
• Partisan offices (governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state legislature): Here, you'll pick candidates from just one political party. Whoever gets the most votes within each party moves on, so by November you'll see one Republican, one Democrat, and sometimes other party candidates running for seat.
• Nonpartisan offices (county, city, township, school board — and this year, includes our own Ramsey City Council At-Large seat): No party labels here at all. You just vote for whoever you like best, and the top vote-getters move on to November.
Why This Actually Matters
Here's the thing about primaries — this is where regular voters, not party insiders, get to decide who represents each party come fall. If you skip the primary, you're basically letting other people narrow down your choices for you. And because primary turnout tends to be low, your vote carries extra weight here. A handful of votes can genuinely swing who ends up on your November ballot.
A Quick Word on City Council Being Nonpartisan
You might notice there's no “(R)” or “(DFL)” next to the Ramsey City Council candidates on your ballot — and that's intentional, not an oversight. Minnesota law requires city council races to be nonpartisan.
The thinking behind this goes back a long way: city government deals with things like potholes, snowplowing, water rates, parks, and zoning. This is the day-to-day stuff that affects every resident regardless of how they vote at the state or federal level. Keeping party labels off the ballot is meant to keep local government focused on practical, local problem-solving rather than national political fights, and to encourage council members to work together across whatever their personal politics might be.
It also means you can't just vote a straight party line for local races. It is on you to actually look at who's running and what they stand for. Some of the decisions that touch your daily life most directly, like what your street looks like or how your water bill is calculated, are made by people you choose based on their ideas, not their party.
Who Can Vote?
The basics are pretty simple. You're eligible if you:
• Are a U.S. citizen
• Will be at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Have called Minnesota home for at least 20 days before the election
• Aren't currently incarcerated for a felony (once you're released, your voting rights come right back)
• Aren't under a court order that specifically takes away your voting rights
And a nice bonus for the younger folks in your life: Minnesota lets 16- and 17-year-olds pre-register, so they're all set the moment they turn 18.
Step 1: Check That You're Registered
First things first — take two minutes to make sure you're registered and your address is up to date:
• Check your registration status: mnvotes.gov
Step 2: Not Registered Yet? Easy Fix.
• Register online, by mail, or grab a paper application: sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote
This year, for the primary, you missed the chance to register online or by mail as the recommended deadline was July 21, 2026 at 5 p.m. Don't stress if you missed it. Minnesota's got you covered!
Missed the Deadline? You Can Still Register Same-Day, Right Here in Ramsey
One of the best things about voting in Minnesota is same-day registration. You can register during early voting or right at the polls on Election Day itself. So if you missed the deadline, never got around to registering, or just moved, don't sweat it. You can take care of it on the spot.
Just bring one of these to show your current address:
1. A valid photo ID with your current name and address, such as a Minnesota driver's license, learner's permit, or state ID (a receipt for one of these also works); or
2. Any approved photo ID (can be expired), such as a driver's license/state ID from any state, U.S. passport, military/veteran ID, tribal ID, or a Minnesota high school/college ID PLUS a document showing your current name and address, like:
◦ A utility, phone, cable, or internet bill dated within 30 days of the election
◦ A bank or credit card statement dated within 30 days of the election
◦ A current lease or mortgage statement
◦ A student fee statement (with photo ID)
3. Don't have any of that handy? No problem — bring a neighbor! A registered voter from your own precinct can come with you and sign an oath vouching for your address. One person can vouch for up to 8 others, so feel free to carpool with folks on your street.
And if you registered within the last 20 days before the election, keep an eye out for a Notice of Late Registration in your mailbox — bring that along and it'll work as your proof of residence.
When and Where to Vote Before August 11
Anoka County is who handles all our early and absentee voting.
Early (in-person absentee) voting runs from late June through Monday, August 10, 2026 — plenty of time to fit it into your schedule.
• In person at Ramsey City Hall: 7550 Sunwood Drive NW, Ramsey, MN 55303, during regular business hours (8-4:30, Monday - Friday)
• In person at the Anoka County Government Center (open to all Anoka County voters)
• By mail: Request an absentee ballot and return it by mail or drop it off in person
Vote early / request an absentee ballot: anokacountymn.gov/224/Vote-Early
In-person absentee voting details and hours: anokacountymn.gov/227/In-Person-Absentee-Voting
Hours can shift a bit day to day (and there are usually extended Saturday hours the weekend before Election Day), so it's worth double-checking the current schedule on the Anoka County pages above before you head out.
Voting on Election Day, August 11
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. And here's a good rule to remember: if you're in line by 8 p.m., you get to vote, no matter how long the line is.
One important thing — on Election Day you'll need to vote at your assigned polling place, not just wherever's closest. Here's how to find yours:
• Find your polling place: pollfinder.sos.mn.gov
• Ramsey's wards, precincts, and polling location map: City of Ramsey Elections page
Good news if your registration is already current (meaning you registered at least 21 days before Election Day and haven't moved or changed your name since): you don't need to bring any ID at all. Just walk in, tell the election judge your name and address, and you're good to go.
Quick Reference
Links to important sites based upon task:
Check registration status: mnvotes.gov
Register to vote: sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote
Vote early / request absentee ballot (Anoka County): anokacountymn.gov/224/Vote-Early
In-person absentee voting info: anokacountymn.gov/227/In-Person-Absentee-Voting
Find your Election Day polling place: pollfinder.sos.mn.gov
Ramsey precinct/polling map: City of Ramsey Elections page
City of Ramsey Clerk's Office: 763-433-9842
Election dates to remember:
• July 21, 2026 — Deadline to pre-register (online/mail)
• Late June – August 10, 2026 — Early/absentee voting window
• August 11, 2026, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. — Primary Election Day
Got questions about registration, absentee voting, or anything else election-related here in Ramsey? The City Clerk's Office is happy to help — give them a call at 763-433-9842.
See you at the polls, neighbor!
