Voting
Make Your Voice Heard!
This is an important decision for our students, schools and community – make sure to vote on or before Election Day. There are three ways to cast your ballot:
Absentee ballot voting (mail or in person) is available starting Friday, Sept. 18.
Early voting is available at select locations beginning Friday, Oct. 16
Election Day voting takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
In Minnesota voters can register at polling places on Election Day or early voting locations before Election Day. You can also register to vote online. If your name or address has changed since the last time you voted, you will need to re-register.
Vote via Absentee Ballot – Starting Friday, Sept. 18
Beginning Friday, Sept. 18 Perham-Dent School District residents can request an absentee ballot. Completed ballots must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. to be counted.
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Apply at least two weeks before an election to allow enough time for your application to be processed, for your ballot to be sent to you, and for you to return your ballot.
Fill out an absentee application and turn it in: The quickest way to apply for an absentee ballot is online. You need an email address and Minnesota ID or social security number (SSN) to complete the online application. Another way to apply is to download one of the absentee ballot applications below, then return the completed application to your county election office by email, mail, or fax.
Wait for the ballot to be mailed to you
Fill it out and return it to the election envelope
Return it to Otter Tail Government Services Center, 510 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can either mail it back or physically drop it off during 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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You can vote absentee in person Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Otter Tail Government Services Center at 510 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537. This process is nearly identical to getting an absentee ballot mailed to you, except done in person. You will need to know your MN ID number or social security number (SSN) to fill out the application.
Fill out an absentee application once you arrive, or bring a filled-out version with you, and return to the election official.
You will then receive your absentee ballot and can fill it out while you are there.
After completing the ballot, you will return it to the election official who will put the voted absentee ballot into the absentee envelope.
A ballot board will review the envelope later when counting official votes.
Request an absentee ballot:
Early Voting – Starting Friday, Oct. 16
"Early Voting" is available in at least one location per county for the first time in 2026. This is more similar to voting in a polling place on Election Day than voting via absentee ballot in-person. Early in-person voting starts 18 days before the election (Oct. 16). When you arrive at the early voting location, you will complete a short certificate, receive your ballot and vote it there, then return your completed ballot into the ballot counter – just like Election Day. Early voting locations for our district are based on the county you reside in.
Otter Tail County Residents Early Voting Location:
Otter Tail Government Services Center
510 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Note: You do NOT need to fill out an absentee ballot to participate in Early Voting.
Voting on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 3
To cast your ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, head to your designated polling location between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Minnesota, you can register or update your voter registration at your polling place on Election Day.
Did you know: As long as you’re in line by 8 p.m., you can vote, even if you don’t reach the front of the line until after 8 p.m.
Have any questions? We encourage you to explore our FAQ page to find additional information.