Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune

Minnesotans could start casting their first ballots in the 2024 presidential race starting last Friday (Jan. 19), beginning with the nominating contest for the major political parties.

Early voting kicked off in Minnesota’s presidential primary election, which will be held on March 5 — Super Tuesday — along with 15 other states. The results will decide how many delegates candidates get at national conventions this summer. It’s the first of three statewide elections this year.

It’s only the second presidential primary in Minnesota after decades of using the caucus system. Some of the rules are different from voting in the state’s regular August primary election.

Here are some things readers may need to know about how it works and how to cast your vote early or on March 5:

Do all political parties participate in the presidential primary?

No, only those with major party status in Minnesota will participate: the DFL Party, the Republican Party and the Legal Marijuana Now Party.

Who can vote in the presidential primary?

Any voter registered in Minnesota can also cast a ballot in the presidential primary. Voters can register before the contest through Feb. 13, or register in-person at their polling place on March 5. Voters must be 18 or older by March 5, a resident of Minnesota and a citizen of the United States to register to vote. While individuals recently released from incarceration can now vote, those still in prison cannot.

Do I need to register as a member of a certain party?

Unlike many states, Minnesota doesn’t have party registration. However, voters must attest that they generally support the principles of a specific party in order to get that party’s ballot in the presidential primary contest. If you’re voting early by mail, you need to check a box on the absentee ballot application attesting to the party’s principles.

How do I vote in the presidential primary?

Just like the August primary election, registered voters can request an absentee ballot to vote by mail up to 46 days before the election. Voters can track their absentee ballot on the Secretary of State’s website. Cities will also have in-person early voting locations — usually a local elections office — though hours will vary from county to county.

You can also vote in-person on March 5 at your polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The main difference for the presidential primary is that you must request the ballot for the party of your choice.

Is any of my voting information public?

The chair of each major political party gets a list of voters who request their party’s ballot, data they can use to help with get-out-the-vote efforts. That’s a change from four years ago, when party chairs got the lists for all the other major parties too. The information is not posted anywhere publicly, and the candidate you select is secret.

Will there still be precinct caucuses?

Yes, precinct caucuses to debate party platforms and select delegates to state conventions will take place in schools and community centers across the state on Feb. 27.