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Minnetonka opts into 18‑day in‑person early voting for non‑presidential elections
Summary
Elections staff recommended and council authorized use of the state option to run 18 days of in‑person early voting at City Hall for primary and non‑presidential general elections while maintaining 46‑day mail‑ballot availability; council cited staff efficiency and voter access balance.
The Minnetonka City Council on June 8 authorized the use of Minnesota’s 18‑day early‑in‑person voting option for municipal primaries and general elections (excluding presidential general elections), while preserving the existing 46‑day absentee voting mail‑ballot program.
Elections staff explained that most in‑person town hall voting is concentrated in the 18 days immediately before an election and that keeping 46‑day mail ballots preserves broad access. The change reduces low‑volume staffing costs on earlier days, allows more focused training and readiness for election judges, and preserves on‑site ballot drop‑off throughout the 46‑day mail period. Hennepin County guidance allows a jurisdiction to choose 18‑day in‑person windows provided the county is notified in advance of the election cycle.
Council members supported the change as a balance of access and efficient use of local resources. The council authorized 18‑day in‑person early voting for primaries and non‑presidential generals and will maintain full 46‑day in‑person availability in presidential general years because of higher turnout.
