Polls are Now Open in Rochester and Across Minnesota for 2024 General Election

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Polling locations in Rochester and across Minnesota are now open for the 2024 General Election. 

See Also: Nearly 1.2 Million Early Ballots Casted in Minnesota 

The polls throughout the state will close at 8 p.m. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will still be allowed to vote even if they will not be able to arrive at the voting booth until after the polls close. 

Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tim Parkin says the sheriff’s office is ready to respond as needed to requests for assistance throughout the election. 

Parkin’s statement follows Rochester police reporting the arrest of an intoxicated man who allegedly made threats to shoot people voting early at the Olmsted County Elections Office on Sunday.

Read More: Threats at Rochester Polling Place Leads to Arrest 

As of Monday afternoon the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office reported 1,174,224 ballots have been casted and that local election officials have issued 1,367,266 absentee and mail ballots since September 20. 

Voters still holding onto completed ballots are being asked to return them to their local elections office by 8 p.m. to ensure their votes are counted. Anyone wishing to vote but is not registered can do so at their polling place.

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Along with state and federal races, Rochester residents are tasked with making several critical decisions at the city, school board and county board level. 

Decision Day for Rochester Schools Referendum, Three School Board Seats

The Rochester Public School District is seeking voter approval for a $19.4 million dollar property tax increase to support local school operations starting in the 2025-2026 school year and remaining in effect for 10 years.

There are also three positions up for election on the Rochester School Board. Patrick Farmer is challenging incumbent Don Barlow, Incumbent Karen MacLaughlin is being challenged by John Whalen and Christina Barton is vying to unseat Incumbent Stephanie Whitehorn. 

Rochester Voters to Decide on New City Council President, 3 Other Council Seats

Four seats are open on the Rochester City Council, including the City Council President seat, which is being contested for by Fifth Ward City Council Member Shaun Palmer and Randy Schubring. 

Nick Miller and Tripp Welch are facing each to decide who will succeed 2nd Ward Councilmember Mark Bransford. Fourth Ward incumbent Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick will try to defend her seat against Andy Friedrichs. 

Dan Doering and Mark Schluesner to face off to succeed Sixth Ward Council Member Molly Dennis, who was knocked out of the race in the August Primary. 

2 Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Seats on the Ballot Tuesday

Olmsted County Board Commissioner Gregg Wright faces challenger April Sutor for the third-district seat on the county board. 

In District six, Twanda Burks and Bob Hopkins are facing each other in a special election to succeed Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden, who announced her retirement earlier this year.

Correction: A previous version of this story said Stephanie Whitehorn was challenging Jessica Garcia

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