HopTonka Elections are for Everyone

Event/training spotlight

The Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State is hosting a Lunch & Learn: Ready for the Primary on July 10, 2026, 12 PM – 1 PM via Zoom. Register here.

Curious about what goes into a smooth and secure primary election? Join us for our July Lunch & Learn covering everything from voter outreach and election security to updates at the federal level and the many ways you can get involved. We invite you to bring any questions you may have, as this session will offer a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the processes and partnerships that ensure a smooth and secure Election Day.

Why are Primaries so important, now?

Our votes in a primary carry significantly more weight than in a general election, both because far fewer people vote in primaries and because in many races, the primary is the place where a representative is chosen.

• Primary elections are also a place where the electorate tends to look less representative than the state as a whole. Primary voters tend to be older and whiter than the state writ large. 
• 50% of MN voters are over the age of 50, and only 12% are BIPOC.
• 71% of voters were over the age of 50, and only 6% of voters were BIPOC in the 2024 primary election.
• Every single one of us have people in our life who vote in every primary election, and we have people in our lives who rarely if ever vote in primary elections.

In an election of this size, this offers us powerful opportunities to both persuade people to vote for the candidates that we have endorsed, and to change the composition of the electorate by bringing new people into the primary electorate. – Faith in MN

Starting June 26, 2026, you can vote early by mail or in person, giving you options and convenience. Avoid last minute conflicts and get your ballot submitted early.

Check with your local election office or go to mnvotes.gov to learn more about early voting locations, deadlines and ways to vote by mail. Don’t forget to track your ballot if you vote by mail, so that you can be sure your ballot is counted.

Make a plan to vote early.