Early Voting (Absentee)

Search our website:
City Events Refuse & Recycling

Early Voting (Absentee)

Early Voting means voting by mail or in-person before Election Day. Any eligible voter may choose to vote early (absentee) for any reason. Early voting by mail or in-person starts 46 days before each election. Applications returned before the start of the early  voting period will have their ballots sent out on the first day. After the start, ballots will be mailed as applications are received.

2022 General Election Absentee Voting Dates

Primary Election - Friday, June 24, 2022 - Monday, August 8, 2022
General Election - Friday, September 23, 2022 - Monday November 7, 2022

Ways to Absentee Vote

1. Vote in-person at Columbia Heights City Hall*

During regular hours: Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm

During the extended hours listed below:
*Primary Election: Saturday, August 6: 10 am - 3 pm and Monday, August 8: 8 am - 5 pm
*General Election: Saturday, November 5: 10 am - 3 pm and Monday, November 7: 8 am - 5 pm

*Columbia Heights residents can also vote early in-person at the Anoka County Government Center for more information visit the Anoka County In-Person Absentee Voting webpage

2. Vote by Mail

To have a ballot sent to you in the mail, you will first need to request a ballot by filling out an absentee ballot application. Applications returned before the start of the absentee period will have their ballots sent out on the first day of the absentee period. After the start of the absentee period, ballots will be mailed out as soon as applications are received. There are two options to request a ballot.

  1. You may apply online at mnvotes.org

  2. You may download a copy of the Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) and return it to Anoka County by one of the following methods*:

    • Email: elections@co.anoka.mn.us
    • Mail: Anoka County Elections, 2100 3rd Avenue, Suite W160, Anoka, MN 55303
    • Fax: (763) 324-1160
*If you would like a paper copy of the Absentee Ballot Application to be sent to you by mail please call Anoka County Elections at (763) 324-1300.

3. Agent Delivery
Within the last 7 days prior to the election, voters in special situations can use the agent delivery process to vote absentee


Returning your Mail-In Ballot
There are two ways to return your mail-in ballot.

1. Return it by mail.
Simply use the envelope provided (postage included). Ballots must ARRIVE on or before Election Day.

2. Bring it to City Hall or the Anoka County Government Center.
Bring your ballot to City Hall (590 40th Ave NE) or the Anoka County Government Center (2100 3rd Avenue, Suite W130 during normal business hours. It must be brought in by 3 pm on Election Day. If you are returning someone else's ballot, you will need to sign a return log and show identification with name and signature. Ballots cannot be dropped off at your polling place on Election Day.