38,000 Minneapolis voters cast ballots early in 2026 midterms

Katie Smith, the Minneapolis Director of Elections, reported that 38,000 residents cast early ballots in the current midterm election. That figure is 71% higher than the number of early voters at this point in the 2022 cycle.

The city is using pop-up voting sites to capture that early momentum. The Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis hosts a voting location, a practice the city has maintained since 2024. Smith said the goal is to place voting opportunities in neighborhoods where residents live and work. She noted that early voting, whether by mail or at in-person sites, relies on convenience to draw participants.

University students contributed to the turnout at the Weisman site. The University of Minnesota’s Undergraduate Student Government held its fourth annual Voterpalooza on Monday. The group moved the event from the outdoor lawn into the Coffman Union headquarters because of rain. An inflatable eagle remained outside as a sign to passersby that registration and voting were available nearby.

Fatima Aden, the USG President, stated that the event aims to make voting feel accessible and engaging for students. She said the group provided food and hosted speakers, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis City Council Member Robin Wonsley. U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Gubernatorial Candidate Amy Klobuchar canceled their appearances due to the weather.

Bridget Bergin, a university employee who works across the street from the Weisman, voted at the pop-up. She described the process as efficient and easy to access. Bergin said she usually votes in her neighborhood on election day but chose the campus site for this election.

Smith said she sees a clear shift toward early voting in the city. She believes that offering more days, times, and locations allows residents to participate without disrupting their schedules. The Weisman site serves as a central hub for this effort in the Minneapolis area.

Local data shows a strong history of youth participation in the state. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Minnesota ranked first in the nation for youth-voter turnout in 2024. In that election, 62% of residents between the ages of 18 and 29 cast a ballot.