The moment we have been working toward is here. Early voting opened on September 18th in Minnesota, and I want every voter in District 56A to know exactly how to cast their ballot — whether that is today, next week, or on Election Day, November 4th.

Do not wait. Voting early means no lines on Election Day, no last-minute schedule conflicts, and no worries about the unexpected. If you are ready to vote, you can vote right now.

How to Vote Early in Minnesota

Minnesota makes early voting straightforward. You have two options:

Vote in Person at Your County Office

Starting September 18th, you can walk into your county auditor's office or a satellite voting location and cast your ballot in person — no excuse required.

Dakota County voters can vote early at the following locations:

• Dakota County Administration Center (open now through November 3rd) 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033

• Apple Valley City Hall (satellite location) 7100 147th Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124

• Burnsville City Hall (satellite location) 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337

• Eagan City Hall (satellite location) 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122

Satellite locations typically open in mid-to-late October — check the Dakota County Elections website for exact dates and hours as they are confirmed. The county administration center in Hastings is open now.

Early in-person voting runs through November 3rd (the day before Election Day).

Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballot)

You can also request an absentee ballot and vote from home. Here is how:

1. Request your ballot at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us — the Minnesota Secretary of State's official voter portal
2. Receive your ballot by mail within a few days
3. Fill it out and return it by mail or drop it off in person at your county office
4. Ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day, November 4th

The deadline to request a mail ballot is October 29th, so do not put it off.

Why Your Vote in District 56A Matters

This race is competitive, and every single vote counts. District 56A deserves a representative who will actually show up — for working families, for small business owners, for parents, and for neighbors who just want common sense in St. Paul.

I am running because I believe Minnesotans deserve:

• Real affordability — lower property taxes, relief from rising costs, and a government that lives within its means
• Strong local schools — where parents have a voice and kids get a quality education
• Safe communities — where law enforcement is supported and neighbors look out for each other
• Common-sense leadership — no ideology, no games, just results

That vision only becomes reality if we show up and vote.

Check Your Registration

Before you head to the polls — early or on Election Day — make sure your registration is up to date. You can check and update your registration at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us.

Minnesota also allows same-day registration at the polls, so even if you are not yet registered, you can register and vote on the same visit.

Spread the Word

If you are ready to vote, chances are someone you know is too. Share this post, text a neighbor, or bring a friend to vote early. The more people who participate, the stronger our community's voice in St. Paul.

And if you want to do more — knock doors, make calls, or help get out the vote in the final weeks — head to the Get Involved page and sign up. We need every hand on deck.

Thank you for your support. Now let's go vote.

— AJ