Elections

The Nicollet County Public Service Office is responsible for administering all federal, state, and local elections for Nicollet County and maintains the statewide voter registration system. This office is a resource to cities, townships, and school districts in the election process.

Nicollet County Public Service Office
Attn: Elections
501 S Minnesota Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
Phone: (507) 934- 7806
Fax: (507) 931-0856
Email Elections

Who is eligible to vote?

You are eligible to vote in Minnesota if you are least 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately preceding the election day.

How do I register to vote?

Complete a Voter Registration Application (PDF). Drop off or send completed application to the Nicollet County Public Service Office at 501 S Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter, MN 56082.

Register Online 

Why should I pre-register to vote?

Voting will be faster and easier if you are registered to vote when you arrive at the polls on election day. You can register on Election Day; however, you will need to bring proof of residence with you.

How do I register on Election Day?

To register on Election Day, you must have proof of residence in your precinct. Only proofs authorized by law will be accepted.

Valid proof of identity includes any of the following:

  • MN Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit, or Identification card showing a current address (or yellow receipt for any of these).
  • Valid, previous registration from the same precinct.
  • "Notice of Ineffective or Late Registration" from the Public Service office.
  • A registered voter from your precinct who personally knows you reside in the precinct and will vouch for your identity.
  • A photo ID and a current utility bill showing your name and address in the precinct.

I am a Nicollet County resident, where do I vote on Election Day?

Polling Locations and Hours (PDF)
Polling Place Location Finder

Absentee Voting:

Absentee ballots are available 46 days before the election. Individuals interested in absentee voting may do so either by mail or in person at the Nicollet County Public Service Office. Standard office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is also open for absentee voting the Saturday before an election from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and until 5:00 p.m. on the evening before the election. You do not have to be a registered voter to vote by absentee ballot (you will register during the absentee voting process).

Online Absentee Ballot Request
Regular Absentee Ballot Application (PDF)
Military/Overseas Absentee Ballot Application (PDF)
Application to Automatically receive Absentee Ballot Applications (PDF)

How do I file for office?

An individual who desires to become a candidate for an office shall file an affidavit of candidacy at the following locations:

  • Federal - File with Secretary of State
  • State - File with Secretary of State or Public Service Office of the County in which candidate resides
  • County - File with the Public Service Office
  • City - File with City Clerk
  • Township - File with Township Clerk
  • School - File with School
  • Soil & Water - File with the Public Service Office

Fair Campaign Practices
2014 County Office Campaign Financial Reports (PDF)
2016 County Office Campaign Financial Reports (PDF)
2018 County Office Campaign Financial Reports (PDF)
2020 County Office Campaign Financial Reports (PDF)
2022 County Office Campaign Financial Reports (PDF)

Who may be an Election Judge?

An election judge must be:

  • eligible to vote in the State of Minnesota
  • able to read, write, and speak English
  • appointed by the appointing authority (county, city, township, or school board)
  • trained and currently certified as an election judge

An election judge cannot be:

  • a candidate in that election (i.e. is running for an office on the ballot used in that precinct)
  • the husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister of a candidate or another judge in the same precinct
  • a challenger

Who may be an Election Judge Trainee?

High school students 16 and 17 years of age can be trainee election judges. Students who are 18 years of age or older can serve as regular election judges.
 

To serve as trainee election judges students must:

  • be at least 16 years of age
  • serve in the county where they reside
  • be in good academic standing
  • have completed or are enrolled in a course on government
  • have permission from their school and parents

Trainee election judges can serve for all elections. They cannot serve past 10:00 p.m. and cannot number more than 1/3 of the election judges in any one precinct. Trainee election judges, like other election judges, are not required to serve the entire day. Because trainee judges serve without party affiliation, they cannot perform tasks that must be carried out by two judges of different political parties, such as curbside voting. However, trainee election judges can perform any other election judge tasks and should be assigned those duties just as other election judges are assigned. Trainees do not count toward the minimum number of election judges required to serve.

Clerks & Election Judges Training Schedules

Before serving in an election, all election judges and student trainee election judges must complete election judge training and be certified as an election judge. This course is offered by the Public Service Office. Every judge who completes training receives an election judge certificate that is valid for two years. To stay current with changing election law and ballot counting technology, election judges will renew their election judge certificate by again completing the training course every two years.

In addition to election judge training and certification, head election judges complete an additional hour of training every two years to be certified as head election judge.

Election judges assisting with Health Care Facility absentee voting complete one hour of training every two years (in addition to electon judge training) to be certified as HCF absentee election judges.

If you are interested in serving as an election judge in Nicollet County, contact the Public Service Office.

Election Resources