Minnesota Primary 2026: Candidates, Voting & What to Know

The minnesota primary 2026 is a pivotal moment in the state's political history, establishing a historic, female-led lineup for November's general election ballot. Following the dramatic primary contests on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Minnesota voters have set the stage for major battles over the state’s executive and federal representation. This year's primary was marked by the highest voter turnout in modern history, topping over 1 million total votes cast across the state.

With the retirement of prominent long-serving leaders and shifting dynamics within both major parties, this election represents a significant realignment for Minnesota. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a first-time voter, understanding the candidates, the key races, and how the voting system operates is critical as the state prepares for the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

What is the Minnesota Primary 2026?

The minnesota primary 2026 is the nominating election held to determine which candidates will represent the state’s major political parties in the upcoming general election. Minnesota utilizes an open primary system. Under this system, any eligible, registered voter in the state can participate in the primary of their choice.

However, voters must select and vote within only one party's column on the ballot; cross-party voting (splitting a ballot between different parties' primaries) is not allowed and will invalidate the primary ballot.

The primary determines party nominees for several key offices, including:

U.S. Senate (to fill the open seat of retiring Senator Tina Smith)
State Governor and Lieutenant Governor
U.S. Representatives across Minnesota's eight congressional districts
State Executive Officers, including Secretary of State, State Auditor, and Attorney General
All seats in the Minnesota State Legislature (Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives)
Contested judicial and local county municipal offices

Important Election Dates

Staying informed means keeping track of the key dates that govern the 2026 election cycle. The Minnesota Secretary of State has outlined the following official voting and registration timeline for both the primary and general elections:

2026 Primary Election Timeline

Early Voting Period (In-Person and Mail-In): June 26 – August 10, 2026
Advance Registration Deadline: July 21, 2026
Primary Election Day: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

2026 General Election Timeline

Early Voting Period (In-Person and Mail-In): September 18 – November 2, 2026
Advance Registration Deadline: October 13, 2026
General Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Major Races and Candidates

The minnesota primary 2026 featured highly competitive, expensive, and bruising campaigns that reshaped the state's political landscape. Below is an in-depth breakdown of the candidates, the key races, and the final results of the primary election.

The Gubernatorial Race: A Historic Female-Led Showdown

For the first time in Minnesota’s history, the state's major party general election tickets for Governor will be led by women. Because Minnesota is one of only 19 states that has never elected a female governor, the winner of this race is poised to make history as the state's first female chief executive.

This open race was triggered in January 2026 when incumbent DFL Governor Tim Walz announced he would not seek a third term, pulling out of his campaign amid mounting Republican criticism over ongoing fraud investigations into state social service and childcare programs.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Gubernatorial Primary Results

Following Governor Walz's exit, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar launched her campaign for Governor on January 29, 2026. Klobuchar, who has won all four of her prior U.S. Senate races by double-digit margins, entered the race as the heavy favorite. She secured the DFL convention endorsement alongside her running mate, former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer, in May.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Klobuchar secured a commanding victory in the DFL primary:

Amy Klobuchar: 614,916 votes (89.7%)
Kobey J. Layne: 39,525 votes (5.8%)
Mohammad Wazwaz: 9,632 votes (1.4%)
Po Vang: 8,833 votes (1.3%)
Ole "Viking" Savior: 5,493 votes (0.8%)
Thomas Evenstad: 3,840 votes (0.6%)
Bill Gates, Jr.: 3,381 votes (0.5%)

Republican Gubernatorial Primary Results

On the Republican side, a crowded and highly competitive nine-candidate field fought for the nomination. The race pitted Lisa Demuth, the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, against Mike Lindell, the MyPillow founder who was backed by President Donald Trump, and Kendall Qualls, a healthcare technology executive endorsed by the State Republican Party.

Demuth and her running mate, attorney Ryan Wilson, emerged victorious on Tuesday night:

Lisa Demuth: 179,655 votes (43.4%)
Mike Lindell: 134,273 votes (32.5%)
Kendall Qualls: 88,388 votes (21.4%)
John Krhin: 4,661 votes (1.1%)
Ross Nova: 2,763 votes (0.7%)
Raul Estrada: 2,414 votes (0.6%)
Loner Blue: 1,392 votes (0.3%)

The U.S. Senate Race: A Battle for an Open Seat

With eight-year incumbent Democratic Senator Tina Smith declining to seek re-election, Minnesota has its first completely open U.S. Senate seat race in 20 years. This open race led to a bruising, multi-million dollar primary contest for the DFL nomination and a highly competitive Republican battle.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Senate Primary Results

The DFL primary represented a high-stakes face-off between the progressive and moderate wings of the party, with over $30 million in campaign spending recorded in the race. Peggy Flanagan, the state's Lieutenant Governor, ran as a progressive champion. Flanagan secured the DFL party endorsement and was backed by national progressive leaders, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Her moderate opponent, U.S. Representative Angie Craig, was backed by high-profile figures such as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz. Craig benefited from substantial outside group spending, including more than $2.4 million from moderate-aligned political action committees.

Flanagan defeated Craig, riding a strong wave of grassroots progressive support:

Peggy Flanagan: 411,767 votes (59.0%)
Angie Craig: 274,860 votes (39.4%)
Kurt Michael Anderson: 4,520 votes (0.7%)
Billy Nord: 2,897 votes (0.4%)
George H. Kalberer: 2,076 votes (0.3%)

If she wins the general election in November, Flanagan will make history as the first Native American woman to serve in the United States Senate.

Republican Senate Primary Results

The Republican primary featured former national sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, who was heavily favored and supported by the National Republican Senatorial Committee and several leading U.S. senators. Tafoya raised over $5.3 million, far outpacing her competitors.

Her main opponents were former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, who held the official Republican convention endorsement, and former professional basketball player Royce White, the party's nominee for the state's other Senate seat in 2024.

Tafoya cruised to a decisive victory:

Michele Tafoya: 211,777 votes (52.1%)
Adam Schwarze: 97,456 votes (24.0%)
Royce White: 45,382 votes (11.2%)
Tom Weiler: 24,249 votes (6.0%)
Joyce Lacey: 7,473 votes (1.8%)

The primary also featured several lower-profile candidates, including Bob Carney, Jr., Cynthia Gail, Ahmad Hassan, Patrick Munro, and Tom Weiler.

Other November Senate Contenders

In November's general election, Flanagan and Tafoya will also share the ballot with two third-party candidates:

Marisa Simonetti (Independent)
Rebecca Whiting (Libertarian)

U.S. House of Representatives: Spotlight on the 2nd Congressional District

Representative Angie Craig’s decision to run for U.S. Senate rather than seek re-election to the House triggered a competitive primary in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. The district represents a critical battleground, having previously supported Craig with 56% of the vote in 2024.

DFL Primary: Former State Senator Matt Little was projected as the winner, defeating state Representative Kaela Berg and state Senator Matt Klein in a highly contested six-way primary.
Republican Primary: State Senator Eric Pratt ran unopposed and secured the Republican nomination.

State Executive Offices

In addition to the top-ticket races, Minnesota voters settled primaries for other key executive offices:

Secretary of State: Incumbent DFLer Steve Simon officially launched a campaign for a fourth term and easily advanced to the general election.
Attorney General: Incumbent DFLer Keith Ellison is seeking a third term and won his primary contest.
State Auditor: Incumbent DFLer Julie Blaha declined to run for re-election. On the Republican side, former State Senator and 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen withdrew from the governor's race to seek the State Auditor post instead.

State Legislative Races: The Battle for Legislative Control

All 67 seats in the Minnesota Senate and all 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives are on the ballot in 2026. Prior to the election, control of both legislative chambers was on a razor's edge:

Minnesota Senate: The DFL held a narrow one-seat majority (34 DFL, 33 Republican).
Minnesota House of Representatives: The House was deadlocked at 67-67 following the 2024 elections, with the 94th Legislature operating under a temporary one-seat Republican majority due to a single vacancy.

Because every seat is up for election, the outcome in November will determine which party holds the majority and controls the state's legislative agenda.

Who Can Vote in Minnesota?

Minnesota has progressive voting laws designed to maximize voter participation while maintaining secure, fair elections.

Registration Eligibility Requirements

To register and vote in the minnesota primary 2026 and the upcoming general election, you must meet the following criteria:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
Be a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days
Not currently be incarcerated for a felony conviction

Voting Rights Under Guardianship

In Minnesota, citizens placed under a legal guardianship retain their right to vote. A person under guardianship is fully eligible to participate in all elections unless a judge specifically issues a court order revoking their voting rights.

How Voting Works in Minnesota

Voters in Minnesota have several flexible and accessible methods to cast their ballots, including early, absentee, and traditional in-person options.

Early and Absentee Voting Options

Minnesota voters do not need to wait until Election Day to vote. No-excuse early voting begins 46 days prior to both the primary and general elections.

Voting Early in Person: Voters can visit designated local election offices during the early voting window and cast their ballots in person.
Voting Early by Mail (Absentee Ballot): Any eligible voter can apply online or by mail to have an absentee ballot sent directly to their home. Additionally, voters can join the permanent Absentee List to automatically receive an absentee ballot by mail for every subsequent election.
Ballot Tracking: Once completed, mail-in absentee ballots can be tracked in real-time through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online Absentee and Mail Ballot Tracker to ensure they have been received and officially counted.

Voter Assistance and Accessibility Services

State and federal laws mandate that all polling places in Minnesota must be physically accessible. The state provides several specialized services to assist voters with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities:

Curbside Voting

If a voter is physically unable to leave their vehicle due to health issues or a disability, they can request curbside voting. Two election judges—representing different major political parties—will bring the ballot directly to the voter's vehicle. Once the voter marks their ballot, the judges will securely deposit it into the polling place's ballot counter.

Special Facilities Voting and Agent Delivery

Local election officials send dedicated teams of election judges to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals during the 35 days before an election. These judges provide ballot applications, distribute ballots, and assist residents in casting their votes securely.

Additionally, voters residing in nursing homes, shelters, residential treatment facilities, or hospitals can utilize agent delivery starting seven days before the election. An authorized "agent" (who must be 18 or older and have a pre-existing relationship with the voter) can pick up the ballot from the local election office, deliver it to the voter, and return the completed ballot. An individual can serve as an agent for up to three voters per election.

Voter Language Access

To ensure all Minnesotans can participate, the Secretary of State's office provides essential voter registration, ballot instructions, and tracking resources in multiple languages, including Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Lao, Oromo, Khmer, Amharic, and Karen.

Voter Registration and Deadlines

Voters in Minnesota can choose between registering in advance of the election or registering directly at their polling place on Election Day.

Pre-Registration Deadlines

Voters are encouraged to register in advance to save time at the polls. Pre-registration can be completed online at mnvotes.gov or by mailing a voter registration application. The deadlines to register in advance are:

For the Primary Election: By July 21, 2026
For the General Election: By October 13, 2026

Same-Day (Election Day) Registration & Proof of Residence

If you miss the pre-registration deadline, Minnesota allows same-day voter registration at early voting sites or directly at your local polling place on Election Day. To register on Election Day, you must provide one of the officially accepted forms of proof-of-residence. Acceptable proofs include:

A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, or state ID showing your current precinct address.
A registered voter in your precinct who can accompany you to vouch for your residency.
An official photo ID paired with an approved utility bill, credit card statement, or government document dated within 30 days of the election that shows your current address.

What is Vouching?

If a same-day registrant lacks a valid ID or utility bill to prove where they live, another registered voter who resides in the exact same precinct can accompany them and sign an oath to vouch for their address. A registered voter can vouch for up to eight voters.

Similarly, staff members at nursing homes, shelters, and other licensed residential facilities can proof-vouch for up to eight residents of their facility, provided they display official proof of employment.

Key Issues and Election Context

The minnesota primary 2026 took place in a charged national and statewide political climate, with several specific issues dominating debate on the campaign trail.

The Debate Over Fraud in State Programs

A central theme of the 2026 primary was state oversight and administrative competence. An ongoing, highly publicized federal and state fraud investigation into Minnesota's social service and childcare programs—coupled with lingering scrutiny from prior scandals—shaped both primaries.

Moderate DFLers and Republicans frequently raised this issue, arguing that the state's executive branch under the Walz-Flanagan administration had failed to contain extensive financial abuse. To distance herself from the outgoing governor, DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar focused her gubernatorial campaign heavily on tackling fraud and restoring accountability in state agencies.

Immigration Policies and Federal Actions

Federal immigration policies were a primary battleground, particularly in the competitive U.S. Senate race. Candidates heavily debated the federal immigration enforcement surge during the winter, during which two U.S. citizens were tragically killed. DFLers sharply criticized federal immigration authorities, launching a state probe into the incidents.

In the DFL Senate primary, Peggy Flanagan aggressively targeted Angie Craig's prior vote in favor of the Republican-led Laken Riley Act, which granted the federal government greater authority to detain immigrants suspected of crimes. Craig expressed regret for the vote, but Flanagan successfully used it to rally her progressive base.

When and Where Results Are Reported

Understanding how votes are counted and reported is crucial for following the election results.

Vote Counting and Counties to Watch

Polling locations across Minnesota close on Election Day at 8 p.m. Central Time. Results from early in-person and mail-in voting are compiled by counties and released progressively throughout election night alongside Election Day tabulations.

When analyzing election results, the Associated Press and political analysts focus heavily on several key counties:

Hennepin County (home to Minneapolis): The state's most populous county, Hennepin delivers the largest volume of votes and strongly impacts both parties' statewide races.
Ramsey County (home to St. Paul): The state’s second-largest county, Ramsey serves as a major stronghold and decisive factor in DFL primaries.
Anoka County: Located just north of the Twin Cities, this county voted for Donald Trump by 4 percentage points in 2024 and acts as a key bellwether for Republican primaries.
Dakota, Washington, St. Louis, and Olmsted Counties: These four suburban and regional hubs represent critical, highly contested primary battlegrounds for both major parties.

Recount Rules and Canvassing Timelines

State law dictates specific procedures for certifying results and handling extremely close elections:

Unofficial Status: All election night results are legally unofficial until certified.
Official Certification: The Minnesota State Canvassing Board officially meets on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to certify all federal, judicial, and state results.
Recount Thresholds: Recounts are not automatic, but are publicly funded if the vote margin is extremely narrow.
- Federal, Judicial, and State Executive Races: A publicly funded recount can be requested if the margin between the top two candidates is less than 0.25% of the total vote.
- State Legislative Races: A publicly funded recount can be requested if the margin is less than 0.5%.
- Fewer than 400 Votes Cast: A recount is funded if the margin is 10 votes or fewer.
- Paid Recounts: Candidates can formally request and pay for a recount out-of-pocket if the margin exceeds these statutory thresholds.

Why the Primary Matters

The minnesota primary 2026 is not simply a dress rehearsal; it directly dictates the state’s political trajectory for years to come.

First, the primary has established a historically diverse general election ticket. November's ballot guarantees that Minnesota will either elect its first female governor or make history by electing the first Native American woman to the U.S. Senate.

Second, the primary outcomes will heavily impact congressional seniority. If Senator Amy Klobuchar wins her gubernatorial race in November, she must resign her U.S. Senate seat, which would temporarily be filled by a gubernatorial appointee until a special election is held. Resigning would forfeit Klobuchar's accumulated 20 years of Senate seniority, dropping Minnesota's representation to the bottom of the seniority list in a chamber where legislative influence is heavily dictated by tenure.

Finally, with the State House tied 67-67 and the State Senate held by a single seat, the candidates chosen in this primary will decide which party holds unified control of Minnesota's legislative and executive branches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I vote in the 2026 primary if I am not registered as a Democrat or a Republican?

Yes. Minnesota utilizes an open primary system. You do not need to register with a political party to vote. However, you must choose to vote within only one party's column on the primary ballot.

Do I need to show a photo ID to vote in Minnesota?

If you are already registered to vote at your current address, you do not need to show an ID to vote at your polling place. Photo ID is only required if you are registering to vote on Election Day or during early in-person voting.

What are the polling hours on Election Day?

In Minnesota, polling locations are officially open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. However, town precincts with fewer than 500 residents are legally permitted to delay opening until 10 a.m.. As long as you are physically in line by 8 p.m., you have the legal right to cast your ballot.

How do I check if my absentee ballot was received and counted?

You can track the status of your mail-in or early ballot at any time using the Absentee and Mail Ballot Tracker on the Secretary of State’s website (mnvotes.gov).

Conclusion

The minnesota primary 2026 has delivered historic wins, setting up highly competitive general election match-ups that will determine the state's leadership and representation. With the open gubernatorial race featuring DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar against Republican Lisa Demuth, and the open U.S. Senate race featuring DFL nominee Peggy Flanagan against Republican Michele Tafoya, Minnesota is guaranteed to break historic barriers in November.

As the campaign trail shifts toward the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, eligible voters are urged to verify their registration status, review their sample ballots, and prepare to make their voices heard.

Sources

Minnesota Secretary of State: Elections Calendar, Voter Information Guidelines, and Voting Hours.
Wikipedia: 2026 Minnesota Elections & 2026 Minnesota Gubernatorial Election.
MPR News: Flanagan Wins DFL Duel, Tafoya Claims GOP Nod, Klobuchar & Demuth Top Tickets.
CBS Minnesota: Sen. Amy Klobuchar Wins DFL Primary, Lisa Demuth Projected GOP Winner.
PBS News: Live Results: Minnesota Midterm Primaries & Election Analysis.
Minnesota Campaign Finance Board: 2026 Campaign Financial Reporting Disclosures.

Minnesota Primary 2026: Candidates, Voting & What to Know