August 11, 2026

A message from Council President Elliott Payne

Dear Neighbor,

It's election day! Polls are open until 8 PM tonight so make sure you make our voice heard by getting out to vote. Anyone in line to vote by 8 p.m. today will still have the opportunity to vote.  

Check your polling place 

Find your polling place today at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.  

Confirm your mail ballot was received 

Voters who completed and mailed back their early ballots should check the online ballot tracking tool. If the tracking tool indicates that their ballot has not yet been accepted, they should look up their polling place and go vote in person.  

Voters can vote in person as long as election officials have not yet received and counted their mail ballots. Elections staff at polling places check to see if they’ve received and counted mail ballots from voters who want to vote in person. Voters are given ballots as long as the City has not received and counted mail ballots from them. Any uncounted mail ballots from people who have voted in person will be cancelled and not counted (even if election officials receive it later). 

Mail ballot drop-off ends 5 PM today

Any Minneapolis voter who has a completed mail ballot should not mail it in at this point. Instead, mail ballots can be dropped off until 5 PM today at Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., or to the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S 6th St. 

Completed mail ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places on Election Day. 

Sample ballots available online 

State law allows voters to bring materials into the polls to help complete their ballots — and the sample ballot is the single, best tool available for this purpose. By downloading and printing their sample ballots (which are customized to their specific ward and precinct), voters can practice marking their ballots. They can bring this marked-up sample ballot as a reference to the voting booth when completing their official ballots. This is the best way to reduce the time spent waiting in lines. 

Find sample ballots for all Minneapolis precincts at vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/ballot. 

Best,

Elliott

We’re ready for Election Day

The City of Minneapolis plans year-round to have a safe, secure election and Election Day.

Our election judges are trained and prepared to handle emergencies that may arise. If you have a concern, ask an election judge for help.

Voter rights

As a voter, you have rights guaranteed by Minnesota state law, including time off from work to vote. Know your voting rights.

How can community help?

We can all support our community around the election, from sharing accurate information to helping others explore their voting options, to giving a neighbor a ride to their polling place. Find ideas on the City website and share them with your neighbors.

Connect with Council President Payne

August Office Hours with Park Commissioner Dan Engelhart

When: Thursday August 13th from 5:00-7:00 PM

Where: Logan Park (690 13th Ave Ne)

Details: Facebook event 

Join us for office hours at 5 PM and then stay for Logan Park's Ice cream social and move in the park that same night from 6:00-8:30!

August Community 1-1s

When: Monday August 17th from 9:00-11:45 AM

Where: Honour Coffee (451 Stinson Blvd Ne)

Details: Sign up link will be included in the next newsletter

Connect with Elliott and Ward 1 Staff

Elliott Payne was re-elected in 2025 to represent Ward 1

Elliott serves on the President of the Minneapolis City Council, Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Public Health, Safety, & Equity Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole. 

Contact the Ward 1 Council Office

Elliott Payne, Council Member - elliott.payne@minneapolismn.gov 

Brandon Garcia, Policy Aide - brandon.garcia@minneapolismn.gov

Ikram Mohamud, Policy Associate- Ikram.Mohamud@minneapolismn.gov

Liam Davis Temple, Policy Aide - liam.davistemple@minneapolismn.gov 

Office Phone - (612) 673-2201

Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward1

Our offices have officially moved back to City Hall! You can visit us at 

City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.