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Elections

Elections in Independence

Elections in Independence
Independence has one Precinct - The Independence City Hall
1920 County Road 90, Independence, MN 55359

 


If you voted in the last election and haven't moved or changed your name, you should be pre-registered to vote in this year's elections.

To confirm if you’re registered, update your registration, register to vote, track your absentee ballot, see your sample ballot, view results, learn how the election process works, or to answer many election questions, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website:  MNVOTES.GOV.

Local 2026 city candidates' video statements were made available by Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission/LMMC and can be viewed: Link coming soon...

 

 

Are you interested in becoming an Election Judge for upcoming elections? 
Fill out this form and return it to the City of Independence! 

 

PRIMARY ELECTION - TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026

Absentee & Early Voting – Friday, July 24 - Monday, August 10.
Vote early in-person at Independence City Hall or vote by mail. (See www.mnvotes.gov.)

  • Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m, Friday 8 a.m. - noon
  • Direct Balloting (voters place their ballot directly into the tabulator) begins Friday, July 24th. 
  • Extended Hours:
    • Saturday, August 8 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
    • Monday, August 10 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
  • See "Absentee voting in-person or by mail" below for more details.
  • Public Accuracy Test – (TBD) at Independence City Hall, we will perform the public test of the voting systems used to tabulate ballots in the General Election
Last day to pre-register to vote - July 21st for Primary
After this day, you may still register while voting early, visiting MNVotes.gov or on Election Day with proof of residence.

Election Day – August 11, 2026
  • Voting hours 
    • 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • If you’re in line at 8 p.m., you’re allowed to vote.

 

2026 Candidate Filing

Notice is hereby given for candidates interested in filing for an elective office in the City of Independence.

 

Filing will be accepted between the dates of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, and ends Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

 

The following positions are open:

 

Council Seat (4-year term)

Council Seat (4-year term)

 

 

If interested in becoming a candidate for one of the available positions, file your affidavit of candidacy at the City Hall located at 1920 County Road 90, Independence, Minnesota between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am and 12:00 pm on Friday.

 

The filing fee is $2.00.

Candidates must be:

  • Eligible to vote in Minnesota
  • At least 21 years old upon assuming office
  • Not running for another office in the upcoming election
  • An Independence resident at least 30 days before the general election
Candidates should make sure they are qualified before filing for an office. Candidates have a short period of time during which they can withdraw their filing.

Before your name can appear on the ballot, you must take the following steps:
  1. Review candidate eligibility requirements, the candidate information packet and the required financial reports. 
    • If you have already received at least $50 in contributions or distributions , you may need to submit your initial financial report before you file for office. 
  2. File for office at the City of Independence City Hall during the open filing period.  
    • You will need to complete an affidavit of candidacy and pay the $2.00 filing fee. 
    • Your name will appear on the ballot exactly as you write it in the top box of the Minnesota affidavit of candidacy form. 

Candidate Packet and Financial Reports

A candidate information packet providing general information on running for Independence City Council will be provided to you at time of filing. Candidates should seek their own legal counsel to ensure their efforts comply with the law. 

State law and the City of Independence require candidates to file several financial reports. 
More helpful links for those interested in filing:

Register to Vote
Find your Polling Location

Direct balloting voting requires more steps than voting on Election Day. Direct Balloting voters must complete a direct balloting application to receive a ballot.

How to Vote Direct Balloting

 

Witnesses

Please be aware that witnesses are required for absentee ballots. Any registered Minnesota voter or a notary can serve as a witness for an absentee voter.
 

Track Your Absentee or Mailed Ballot

Confirm your ballot was received and counted on the state's Absentee or Mail ballot tracker.

 

Return Deadline

Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on election day.

  • Return by mail
    • Mail your ballot back in the pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope you received
    • Use express delivery if you do not think your ballot will be received in time with regular mail service
  • Return in person or drop-off
    • Return voted ballots in person to Independence City Hall before or on election day. You may also return ballots to the Hennepin County Government Center.
    • You may drop off your ballot and the ballots for up to three voters; you will need to show identification and provide name and signature when returning a ballot for someone else.

Learn more






All eligible Minnesota voters can vote absentee for each of the 2024 elections (presidential primary, state primary, general election) in the following ways.
 

In Person for the Primary Election - Tuesday, August 11, 2026 -

  • Independence City Hall, 1920 County Road 90
  • Friday, July 24th -  Monday, August 10th:  Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m.-NOON
  • Direct Balloting: Beginning Friday, July 24th, voters can place their ballot directly into the tabulator.
    • This does NOT include mail-in ballots. See below for more details.
  • Extended Hours: Saturday, August 8th (9 a.m.–3 p.m.) and Monday, August 10th (8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
 

Last day to pre-register to vote - Tuesday, July 21st until 5 p.m.
After this date, you may still register while voting early or on Election Day with proof of residence.


 

In Person for the General Election - Tuesday, November 3, 2026 -

  • Independence City Hall, 1920 County Road 90
  • Friday, October 16th -  Monday, November 3rd:  Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m.-NOON
  • Direct Balloting: Beginning Friday, October 16th, voters can place their ballot directly into the tabulator.
    • This does NOT include mail-in ballots. See below for more details.
  • Extended Hours:
    • Saturday, October 24th (9 a.m.–3 p.m.)
    • Tuesday, October 27th (8 a.m.–7 p.m.)
    • Saturday, October 31st (9 a.m.–3 p.m.)
    • Sunday, November 1st (9 a.m.–3 p.m.) 
 

Last day to pre-register to vote - Tuesday, October 13th until 5 p.m. or online by 11:59 p.m.
After this date, you may still register while voting early or on Election Day with proof of residence.

 

Vote By Mail

  1. Complete an absentee ballot application form.
  2. Applications can be mailed to Hennepin County at the address on the reverse side of the form, or scanned and emailed to hc.vote@hennepin.us.
  3. When you receive your ballot, read the instructions carefully.
  4. Vote and complete your ballot. 
 

Ballot drop-off

  • Mail-in ballots can be dropped off with city elections staff or an election judge during in-person absentee voting hours. 
  • Mail-in ballots cannot be placed directly into the tabulator. They can be dropped off with an election judge, or we can spoil your mail-in ballot and you can fill out a new absentee application and ballot. 
  • On Election Day, mail-in ballots can only be dropped off at City Hall by 3 p.m. Do not bring mail-in ballots to your polling location. 
  • We will review all ballot envelopes for completeness before accepting. 
 

Drop box

  • We do not plan to have a drop box for mail-in ballots. They must be presented to an election judge during in-person absentee voting. 

Witnesses

  • Please be aware that witnesses are required for absentee ballots. Any registered Minnesota voter or a notary can serve as a witness for an absentee voter.

Learn more