Notice of Absentee Voting Hours for November 3, 2026 General Election

PLEASE NOTE: You may NOT drop your absentee ballot off at the Polling Place on Election Day. They must be received in Fergus Falls at the OTC Elections Office by 5 pm on Election Day. There are no other Absentee Voting locations or Drop Boxes in Otter Tail County for this election.

Also, Minnesota does NOT do the provisional ballots you may be hearing about on social media because we have same-day registration at the polls. You can also register online at the Secretary of State's website at Minnesota Secretary Of State - Elections & Voting or register to vote in person at the Otter Tail County Elections Office-Government Center at 510 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls. Registering early will help assure you have all necessary documents. You can register ahead of the Elections through October 13th.

Know the difference between Absentee Voting and Early Voting.

Absentee Voting is when you apply for a ballot and it is mailed out to you. If you are not registered at your current address, have changed your name, or have not voted in the last Election, you must also complete a Registration Application and send that in along with the Absentee Ballot Application. A ballot will be mailed out to you which you complete and return the ballot by mail or in person to the Otter Tail Elections office in Fergus Falls. Absentee Ballot voting begins September 18th.

Early Voting is voting in person at the Otter Tail Elections Office in Fergus Falls where you complete your ballot and place it directly in the tabulator machines yourself, the same as you would at the polling place. Early Voting begins October 16th.

If you are voting by Absentee Ballot you are encouraged to do so early to assure your ballot arrives in Fergus Falls in time for Election Day. Do not depend on mailing it at the last minute. It is recommended that you apply for an Absentee Ballot by October 20th.

For more valuable information, visit: https://ottertailcounty.gov/elections-and-voting/