Early voting begins for 2022 Minnesota primary

Minnesotans can cast their ballots for the state's Aug. 9 primary election starting Friday, June 24.

Why it matters: These contests will determine which candidates faceoff in the high-stakes November midterm election.

• Plus, in Southern Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, voters in a special election will decide who fills the rest of late GOP U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn's term in Congress.

The big picture: Unlike in 2018, there are very few competitive primaries on the statewide level.

• But the outcome of contested races down ballot could have a big impact on state and local politics.

Zoom in: The most closely watched statewide primary contest is for the GOP nomination for attorney general.

• Jim Schultz, who won the party's endorsement, faces 2018 nominee Doug Wardlow for the opportunity to take on DFL incumbent Keith Ellison in November.

Yes, and: Two members of the congressional delegation — Democratic U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Betty McCollum — and a handful of legislative incumbents, including DFL Sen. Sandy Pappas of St. Paul and GOP Sen. Erin Pratt of Prior Lake, face a same-party challenge this year.

• Meanwhile, some local races, including Hennepin County attorney, have attracted crowded fields. In those nonpartisan contests, the top two vote-getters advance to the general.

Behind the ballot access: Minnesota has allowed all eligible voters to cast an absentee ballot, without giving a reason or "excuse," since 2014.

• Under state law, such ballots can be cast beginning 46 days before the election.

(Early) voting 101: Check your registration (or go ahead and register if you haven't yet). Once that's set, you can request a mail-in ballot or vote in person at your county election office.

• You can see what's on your ballot ahead of time via the Secretary of State's website.

Of note: Minnesotans can choose whether they want to participate in the DFL or GOP primary, but cannot go back and forth or vote in both on one ballot.