As Shakopee prepares for the upcoming general election, local residents are urged to familiarize themselves with the key details regarding when and where to vote, as well as what is on their ballot.
Election Day: When and Where to Vote
The 2024 General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. On that day, registered voters in Shakopee will cast their ballots at their assigned precinct polling locations. Residents unsure of where to vote can easily find their polling place by visiting the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.
You will need to pre-register at least 20 days before election day to appear on the polling place roster. If you are not able to pre-register, you can register on election day at your polling place. Requirements for election day registration can be found on the Scott County voter registration page.
For those unable to vote on Election Day, early voting (absentee) offers a convenient alternative. Early voting began on Friday, Sept. 20 at Shakopee City Hall, located at 485 Gorman Street.
City Clerk Lori Hensen, who oversees the election process for Shakopee, has noted the benefits of this option. “People really appreciate the flexibility that early voting provides,” Hensen said. “Whether they want to avoid long lines on Election Day or have plans to be out of town, early voting is a helpful option for many residents.”
Mail-In Voting
In addition to in-person early voting, voters may choose to cast their ballots by mail. Voters can request a mail-in ballot from the Secretary of State's office at mnvotes.sos.mn.gov. Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the Scott County Government Center by the day before the election. They should be addressed to:
Scott County Government Center
200 Fourth Ave. W.
Shakopee, MN 55379
Voters opting for early voting by mail are encouraged to allow ample time for their ballots to be mailed and returned. More information on voting by mail more can be found on the Scott County absentee voting page.
Early Voting In-Person
Shakopee residents who wish to vote early in-person can do so at City Hall during designated hours, which are generally from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays leading up to the election. Additional weekend hours will be available immediately before Election Day. Visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/elections and click on the red “Absentee/Early Voting” Button to view early voting hours.
Upon arriving at City Hall, early voters will find the polling stations to the right of the entrance. Early voters must complete a ballot application on site, which typically takes less than three minutes.
The City’s trained election judges will review and process the application and provide instructions on how to properly fill out and submit the ballot. The City has several voting booths available for voters to privately complete their ballot selections.
When the voter is finished, the early voting/absentee ballot will need to be sealed in an envelope before being placed in a locked ballot box.
The entire process typically takes less than 10 minutes, according to Hensen.
All Scott County voters may also vote absentee in-person at Scott County Public Works located at 600 Country Trail E, Jordan.
What’s on the Ballot
The 2024 election is expected to draw considerable voter interest, with races ranging from local to national significance. In addition to the presidential race, voters in Shakopee will cast ballots for U.S. House and Senate seats, Minnesota House of Representatives, and key local offices such as the Scott County Board of Commissioners, Shakopee City Council, and School Board.
Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot ahead of time by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot.
High Turnout Anticipated
This is a presidential election year, voter turnout is expected to be high. Clerk Hensen encourages Shakopee residents to take advantage of early voting to avoid long lines and ensure they have ample time to participate.
“Early voting really opens up the election process to be more inclusive so anyone who wants to cast a ballot has ample opportunity to do so, as opposed to an 11-hour window one day of the year,” Hensen said. “At the end of the day, I just want as many people as possible to take advantage of their right to vote, and early voting can help facilitate that.”
For additional information on voting in the 2024 election, Shakopee residents are directed to visit the city’s website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/elections.