Election Day 2026

There are two scheduled elections in St. Louis Park in 2026.

• Aug. 11, 2026 – State primary election
• Nov. 3, 2026 - State general election

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place.

On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location, based on where you live. Keep in mind your polling location may change from year to year.

2026 State primary election - August 11, 2026

What is a primary election?

A primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election. 

The purpose of the primary is to narrow the field of candidates for a single office. Not all races will require a primary election because it is based on the number of candidates who file for the office. A primary election is required if two or more candidates file for the same office. 

For example, five candidates from one political party might run for the same office. Only one candidate can be on the ballot to represent their party for that office in November. The winner of the August primary election will represent their party on the November election ballot. 

What types of offices can I vote for at a state primary election?

There may be two kinds of offices on your primary ballot: partisan offices and nonpartisan offices.

Partisan offices will list a political party next to a candidate's name on the ballot. All state and federal offices are partisan offices.

Examples of partisan offices that may require a primary election in 2026 include:

• Federal offices such as U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative,
• State offices such as Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General, State Senator and State Representative.

Nonpartisan offices will not list a political party next to a candidate's name on the ballot. All judicial, county, city and school district offices are nonpartisan.

Examples of nonpartisan offices that may require a primary election in 2026 include:

• Hennepin County Commissioner
• Hennepin County Attorney
• Hennepin County Sheriff
• Three Rivers Park Commissioner
• Judicial offices - various offices on the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, 4th District Court

One side of your ballot will contain races for all state and federal offices (partisan offices) that require a primary. Candidates for partisan offices will be listed in multiple columns on your primary ballot. Each column will list the candidates for one major political party. 

Are there any special rules for voting in a state primary election?

In a state primary election, you can only vote for candidates from one political party on your ballot. If you vote for candidates from more than political party, your votes on the partisan side of your ballot will not count. You decide when you vote which one of the parties you will vote for - Minnesota does not have political party registration. 

One side of your ballot will contain races for all state and federal offices (partisan offices) that require a primary. Candidates for partisan offices will be listed in multiple columns on your primary ballot. Each column will list the candidates for one major political party. 

One side of your ballot will contain races for all judicial and county offices (nonpartisan offices) that require a primary. You can vote for any candidate on this side of your ballot. 

Will any city or school district offices be on the ballot?

City and school district offices (mayor, council member, school board member) are elected in odd-year elections and will not be on the ballot in 2026. 

The St. Louis Park school district will hold a special election on August 11, 2026 for consideration of a proposal to issue general obligation school building bonds and to revoke and replace a technology capital project levy. By law, the question requires support from more than half of those who vote in the contest to be approved. Contact St. Louis Park Public Schools for more information.

Your next election is the state primary election on Aug. 11, 2026. Your vote will determine who will be on the ballot in the November general election. Your ballot may contain state, federal and county offices that require a primary election based on the candidates who file for office.

View your sample ballot

Sample ballots are available beginning 46 days before each election. 

• View the candidates that will be on your ballot. (Available starting June 26, 2026 for the state primary election.)
• View a sample ballot at city hall during the absentee voting period (June 26 - Aug. 10, 2026). 
• Request a sample ballot in the mail by contacting elections staff at 952.924.2503 or elections@stlouisparkmn.gov

The 2026 pocket voting guide (PDF version) contains brief explanations of the most important topics for St. Louis Park voters. In the guide you can find information on:

• How, when, and where to vote
• Your rights as a voter and accessible voting options
• Voter registration
• Information on voting before Election Day
• Information on yard signs

Print copies will be available beginning in spring 2026 at city facilities, from elections staff at community events or upon request. The print version is a small booklet meant to be taken and easily stored in a pocket or handbag. It can be placed out in areas where voters frequently pass by or as a handout for voting related questions at a front desk area.

To request a print copy, contact the elections office at 952.924.2503 or elections@stlouisparkmn.gov.

NOTICE: Information in the voting guide is subject to change. Voters are strongly encouraged to verify details with elections staff at 952.924.2503 or elections@stlouisparkmn.gov

1. Make a plan to vote

• Know key election dates.
• Decide when and where you will vote (early by mail, early in person at city hall, or on Election Day).

2. Register to vote

• Check your registration and make updates if necessary.
• New to St. Louis Park? Register at your new address.
• Learn more about voter registration options and requirements.

3. Find your polling place

• Find your polling location to see where you vote on Election Day. Note that your polling location may change. Check before you go to vote.
• Want to vote early before Election Day? Come to St. Louis Park City Hall or request a ballot to vote by mail.

4. View a sample ballot

• Sample ballots are available 46 days before each election.
• View the candidates that will be on your ballot. (Available starting 46 days before each election.)

5. Go vote!

• Vote before Election Day at city hall or through the mail by absentee voting.
• Vote on Election Day at your polling place.

The City of St. Louis Park views elections as a way the community can come together and voice their opinion. By getting involved, you can be a leader in your neighborhood or organization.

How to get involved

There are several opportunities and ways for you to get involved with elections in St. Louis Park. Below are a few options:

• Become an election worker or trainee election worker
• Talk with a friend or neighbor about voting
• Hold an event in your community
  • Voter registration drive
  • Help a voter witness a vote by mail ballot
  • Share a social media post (we post every Tuesday leading up to election day)
  • Educate neighbors on upcoming election dates or rules
  • Invite the elections team to come out to speak or listen to your group

Election resources

Email and text updates

Interested in receiving the latest news and education materials about elections and voting? Sign up to receive email and/or text updates!

Elections outreach

In St. Louis Park, we value voter engagement and education. We want all St. Louis Park voters to feel informed, included and heard. Please feel free to use the variety of print and digital resources we have created to share information with your family, friends and neighbors about becoming a voter in St. Louis Park. If you are holding an event or meeting in the city and would like the elections team to attend and share information about the upcoming election, please contact us. We will do our best to accommodate requests, but our availability is more limited during active election cycles (June - August and September - November). 

Email elections staff at elections@stlouisparkmn.gov, and our team will contact you with more information!

Social media

The city will regularly post information about elections on social media. Don't forget to follow the city on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

Polling place rules

Only authorized people are allowed inside a polling location during voting hours, such as voters and their minor children, election workers and someone assisting a voter. People may not gather or linger at a polling location.

Campaigning is not allowed and political materials cannot be worn or taken into a polling location. State law outlines who is authorized to be in a polling location and the rules surrounding activity at or near a polling location.

For a complete list of who's allowed inside, see Minnesota Statutes 204C.06.

You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling location trying to influence your vote.

No one can campaign inside the polling location or within 100 feet of the building. If the polling place is on public property, no one can campaign anywhere on the property, even beyond 100 feet. However, the prohibition of signs and campaign materials within 100 feet does not apply to adjacent private property.

Security and outside information

You may receive mail or other items from outside sources. As your official elections office in St. Louis Park, material produced by the city will always contain our “Experience VOTING in the Park” logo. If you have any questions about an item you received, contact our elections office. 

Security is critical to every election. For information on how your vote is securely and accurately counted, see the resources from the Secretary of State’s office.

Election results

Election results are reported on the Secretary of State's website after the polls close on election night. Results are unofficial until canvassed by the responsible authority after the election.

• View historical election results

The city holds local elections in odd-numbered years. City offices, including mayor and council members, are elected using ranked-choice voting. Results reported on election night for city offices represent first-choice totals only. Winners are not declared on election night. Ranked-choice races are tabulated and winners are declared the following day. 

• View ranked-choice results 
• Learn more about ranked-choice voting