Otsego council opts for 18‑day in‑person early voting for 2026 elections

The City of Otsego council voted June 8 to adopt an 18‑day in‑person early voting period for the 2026 primary and general elections.

Audra, who presented the item to the council, said the 2026 Minnesota legislative change (HF 4240) allows municipalities to choose an 18‑day option instead of the prior 46‑day structure. She told the council that during the most recent general election fewer than 3% of the city’s 13,727 voters used the first 28 days of in‑person absentee voting under the envelope process and that Wright County asked the city to state its decision by June 12.

The recommended operational change eliminates the initial 28‑day envelope‑based in‑person voting period at city hall while retaining options for absentee ballots through the Secretary of State and in‑person voting at the county during the full 46‑day absentee window. Councilmember Ryan moved to adopt the 18‑day option; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

City staff said the switch primarily affects how in‑person absentee voting is administered at city hall and does not stop voters from requesting absentee ballots by mail or voting earlier through county procedures. Audra noted this change mirrors practices some neighboring jurisdictions already use and emphasized that the DS200 tabulator will continue to be available for voters who come to city hall during the 18‑day period.

The council’s decision will be communicated to Wright County by the June 12 deadline, as requested. No formal roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript; the record shows the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

The council did not identify follow‑up tasks beyond notifying Wright County and implementing the operational changes with election judges and poll equipment ahead of the 2026 election.