2026 State Primary and General Election Procedural Changes

Important Changes to Early Voting and Absentee Voting by Mail 2026 State Primary and State General Elections

The City of Columbus would like to inform residents of an important change to its early voting and absentee voting procedures for the 2026 State Primary and State General Elections.

The City Council has approved a change from the traditional 46-day absentee voting process to 18 days of direct balloting at City Hall, as authorized by Minnesota law. The 18-day period for the State Primary and State General Elections will begin on July 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.