Everything you need to know about voting early in Minnesota's 2024 primary elections
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Why wait for a sticker when you can get one today. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Early voting begins Friday for Minnesota's August primary election.
Why it matters: These same-party battles will determine who appears on the November ballot, but in overwhelmingly Republican or Democratic seats, the primary can effectively crown the ultimate winner.
The big picture: Minnesotans already voted in the presidential nominating contests. But they still need to weigh in on competitive primaries for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, the state House, and other local offices.
- Governor, other state constitutional offices, and the full state Senate aren't up for a vote this year.
What we're watching: A number of primaries for state and federal office are shaping up to be competitive this year, including:
U.S. Senate: Royce White, a basketball player and former congressional candidate, and Navy veteran Joe Fraser are vying to be the GOP's nominee against U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
- Between the lines: While Klobuchar is the strong favorite to win in November, the GOP nominee for this statewide race could impact down-ballot races.
- Zoom in: White, who's faced scrutiny over his past and controversial positions, won the Minnesota Republican Party endorsement while political newcomer Fraser has the backing of several former statewide GOP elected officials.
2nd Congressional District: Attorney Tayler Rahm and former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab are wrangling to be the GOP nominee to take on DFL U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the state's sole battleground U.S. House seat.
- State of play: Rahm won the backing of GOP delegates in a landslide this spring.
- Yes, but: Teirab, who reversed his pledge to drop out if he lost the endorsement, has gotten support from U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer and an endorsement from House Speaker Mike Johnson.
5th Congressional District: DFL U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar faces a repeat challenge from former city council member Don Samuels in the Minneapolis-based district.
- By the numbers: Omar eked out a 50.35% primary win in 2022. But the DFL-endorsed incumbent has built a big fundraising war chest this time around.
- What we're watching: Whether outside groups spend big in this race, especially after this week's primary defeat for another member of the left-wing "Squad."
7th Congressional District: Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach is seeking to fend off a challenge from Steve Boyd, a businessman who says the country needs to be "steered back to its Christian roots."
- The fine print: Neither won the GOP's endorsement in the conservative western Minnesota district.
Zoom in: All 134 state House seats — and one west metro Senate district — are also on the ballot this year.
- Incumbents with challengers include Reps. Brion Curran (DFL-White Bear Lake), Greg Davids (R-Preston), and Brian Johnson (R-Cambridge).
Plus: There are competitive DFL state House primaries for open seats in Minneapolis, Duluth, and Winona, among others.
Between the lines: The Winona district will be a top battleground for deciding control of the House in November.
How it works: Eligible Minnesotans can register and cast a ballot via mail or in-person ahead of the Aug. 13 primary.
The fine print: Minnesota doesn't have registration by party, and, unlike in the presidential primary, you don't need to pledge your affiliation or pick a DFL or GOP ballot.
- But once you have your ballot, you may only vote in one party's primaries.
Vote: A list of early voting sites and instructions for requesting a mail ballot are available via the Secretary of State.
- Ballots must arrive by primary day.