Minnesota voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday for a closely watched general election featuring contests for governor, the US Senate, Congress and a range of state and local offices.
Polling stations across the state are open from 7am to 8pm local time. Voters who are in line by closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballots, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office.
The governor’s race pits Democratic US Senator Amy Klobuchar against Republican state House Speaker Lisa Demuth. The winner will succeed Tim Walz, who is not seeking a third term.
There is also a four-way contest for the US Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Tina Smith. Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya are among the candidates seeking to replace her.
The ballot includes elections for all seats in both chambers of the Minnesota legislature, where control is finely balanced. Voters are also choosing a secretary of state, state auditor and attorney general, as well as members of the US House of Representatives.
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office said 728,961 ballots had been accepted by October 29, already exceeding the total number of absentee and mail ballots cast during the 2022 election. More than 483,000 voters had cast ballots in person before election day, while more than 245,000 had returned ballots by post.
County and city officials, school board members, township officers and local ballot questions also feature on some voters’ ballots. The exact races vary according to the voter’s address.
Results are expected to be released through the night after polls close. Early, mail and election-day votes will be reported together, although the timing of updates will vary between counties.
