Election 2026: Voting guide
It's once again time to cast your ballot and make sure your voice is heard.
Your choices on Election Day will help determine the future of the Mississippi River and its watershed.
From city council races to bids for Congress, the candidates you choose to support represent your views, your priorities and your hopes and dreams for the river. The results will shape our collective response to ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities, including the climate crisis, runoff pollution, habitat destruction, inequitable access and short-sighted planning.
Here's what you need to know to make sure your voice is heard during the 2026 election.
Make sure you're registered to vote
Not 100% sure if you're registered to vote in Minnesota? Use this tool on the Secretary of State's website to check.
If it says you're registered, you're good to go. If you're not registered — don't fret, you still have options!
- You can register to vote online here up until <<>> until 11:59 p.m. 21 days before Election Day.
- You can also register with a paper form, but it has to reach the election office (via mail or drop-off) by 5 p.m. 21 days before Election Day.
- You can register when you vote in person, whether it's at an early voting center or at your polling place on Election Day. You'll need to bring something to verify your address and identity. The secretary of state's office lists all of the approved options here.
Scope out your ballot
You can take an early look at what will be on your ballot here. The sample ballot tool is a great opportunity to look up candidates and their policies ahead of time, so you can feel good about whichever ovals you choose to fill in.
Make a plan for how to vote
Minnesota offers multiple voting options: early by mail, early via drop-off, early in person starting, or in person on Election Day.
If you’re voting early, keep in mind your absentee ballot won’t be accepted if it arrives at the election office after Election Day. So if you’re sending it in by mail, don’t wait until the last minute. You can also drop off your ballot in person before 5 p.m. or the closure of the office on Election Day, at the election office that sent you your ballot.
Want to track the status of your submitted ballot? You can do that here.
What’s at stake for the river
There are a lot of public policy and legislative decisions coming that will impact the Mississippi River. In many cases, it’s elected officials who will ultimately make these choices — so be sure their priorities align with your thoughts.
Some big decisions that will be influenced by the election include:
- The future of two Twin Cities locks and dams
- Continued support for transformative clean-water crops
- The inclusion of Indigenous voices in future decisionmaking
- The scope of protection and restoration efforts in the watershed
- Clean drinking water for all
- Development projects that could affect the river
Know your rights at the polling place
Minnesota law gives voters specific, inarguable rights while at the polls. The nonpartisan League of Women Voters provides a list here, and the Secretary of State’s office offers a printable “Know Your Rights” guide.
If you run into any issues, the League of Women Voters suggests speaking to the election judge at your polling place. If that doesn’t work, ask to speak to the head election judge. If there are still issues, you have the right to file a complaint and can reach out to one of the voting rights hotlines listed at the bottom of this page.
Become a River Guardian
Sign up and we'll email you when important river issues arise. We make it quick and easy to contact decision-makers. River Guardians are also invited to special social hours and other events about legislative and metro river corridor issues.