Voting is a responsibility: Your 2026 election guide (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 1 of this series, we explored Thomas Jefferson’s warnings about civic complacency and why voting is a responsibility, not just a right. Part 2 lays out what’s actually on the ballot this year and what’s at stake.

Upcoming Minnesota elections 2026

The State Primary Election is on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. The primary election determines each political party’s nominees for the November general election.

Offices on the ballot:

• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House of Representatives
• Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• Minnesota State Legislature
• Judicial offices
• Some local offices

Minnesota primary election timeline

The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Check your registration status before the deadline.

In-person early voting runs from June 26 through Aug. 10, 2026. The last day to vote early is Monday, August 10, 2026.

Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballot) for the Primary Election, August 11, 2026. Ballots begin mailing Friday, June 26, 2026. It is recommended to apply by Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Ballots must be received by Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (Election Day).

Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballot) for the General Election, Nov. 3, 2026. Ballots begin mailing Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Recommended to apply by Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. Ballots must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Important: You will need an email address and a Minnesota ID or Social Security number. A postmark is not enough; your absentee ballot must arrive by Election Day to be counted. Advocates strongly recommend hand-delivering absentee ballots directly to your local election office or the Secretary of State’s office to ensure timely delivery.

Search candidates and offices at the Secretary of State’s website, www.sos.mn.gov:

• What’s on my ballot
• Search candidate filings
• Basic search, judicial office (a list of judges will come up; see the judges running for office and go to their website for more information)

2026 midterm general election

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Early Voting Begins Friday, September 18, 2026. Early voting period: October 16 – November 2, 2026. Last day to vote early: Monday, November 2, 2026.

Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballot) Ballots begin mailing: Friday, September 18, 2026. Recommended to apply by: Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Ballot must be received by: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Research before you vote

Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website to:

• Check what’s on your ballot
• Search candidate filings
• Search judicial candidates
• Learn about candidates running for office
• Visit candidates’ campaign websites
• Confirm your voter registration status
• Request an absentee ballot

Make a voting plan

• Check your voter registration to verify that you are registered to vote.
• If your registration is inactive, update it as soon as possible.
• Research every candidate on your ballot.
• Decide whether you’ll vote early, by mail or on Election Day.
• Return absentee ballots as early as possible.
• Encourage your family and friends to vote.

Every election matters. Every vote matters.

2026 congressional elections: Why your vote matters

What’s on the ballot:

• All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives
• 33 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats

Current balance of power (as of June 2026):

U.S. Senate Republicans: 53 seats; Democrats: 45 seats; Independents who caucus with Democrats: 2 seats; Democratic caucus total: 47 seats

U.S. House of Representatives Republicans: 218 seats; Democrats: 214 seats; 3 seats are vacant

Why these elections matter

Control of Congress determines which party:

• Sets the legislative agenda.
• Chooses committee leadership.
• Advances or blocks legislation.
• Influences federal spending and oversight.
• Shapes the confirmation process for judges and executive appointments.

What is needed to change control?

To gain a Senate majority, Democrats would need a net gain of four seats. To gain a House majority, Democrats would need a net gain of three seats, assuming current vacancies and outcomes align.

To put guardrails on this current administration’s actions undermining the rights won by Black, Brown and marginalized communities, many advocates believe congressional oversight, including impeachment, must be the goal of Democrats in this upcoming midterm election. To accomplish this, winning control of both the U.S. House and Senate is essential, as it provides a primary check on executive power. This is the greatest fear of Republicans and the current administration.

At a June 26 Faith & Freedom Coalition Conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson said: “If we were to lose the midterms, heaven forbid, these Democrats, y’all, impeachment is not even the big concern. They will turn every committee of Congress into an investigative body and then go after the president’s family, the cabinet, his donors and friends. Half of you in this room will be targeted; I run the protection program, I’ll take care of you.”

People like Speaker Mike Johnson, regardless of political affiliation, are still fighting battles they believe are far from over, and we should not assume those battles are over either.

It is not enough to urge Black people to vote solely because our ancestors fought for voting rights or because a candidate is Black. We must vote in our own interests and support candidates who can effectively address the challenges we face today. We must also hold elected officials accountable, rather than electing them and expecting them to solve our problems without our continued involvement. Elections determine rights and resources, so we should choose leaders who will protect our rights and secure the resources our communities need to thrive and enjoy a high quality of life.

Voting is a responsibility, not just a right.

Minnesota’s primary is Aug. 11. Check your registration and ballot at sos.mn.gov 

If you have any questions, please reach out to James Trice, founder and CEO of The Public Policy Project, at James_publicpolicyproject@gmail.com.