Elections

Special Election for Polk County Commission - District 5

Polk County will be holding a Special Election on February 10, 2026 to fill the vacant seat of District 5 Commissioner. 
This vacancy was created by the resignation of Commissioner Mark Holy. Polk County District 5 includes Wards 3, 4, and 5 within the City of East Grand Forks. Filing for the open position closed on November 24, 2025 and two candidates have filed for that position. 

Polling Location for Special Election

On Election Day, February 10, 2026, the Ward 3, 4, and 5 polling location will be open at East Grand Forks Senior High School, 1420 4th Ave NW, in room 195. Access to the polling location will be through the school's main administration office entrance with parking off the corner of 4th Ave NW and 14th St NW. 

Absentee Voting Information for Special Election

There are also three options for voting absentee for an election. Absentee ballots for the Polk County Special Election will be available starting December 26, 2025, which is 46 days prior to election day. 

  • Option 1 - Apply online - Fill out the online application to receive an absentee ballot. Once the application is received by Polk County they will mail out the absentee ballot.
  • Option 2 - Apply over the phone - Residents can call the Polk County Government Center at 218-281-2554. First they will mail out the application and once they receive the application back they will mail the ballot when available for the election.
  • Option 3 - Apply at City Hall - Residents can complete the absentee application in person and City staff will forward the application to Polk County. 

Contact the City Hall Administration Office at (218) 773-2483 with questions or visit the Polk County Elections webpage for more info. 


2026 General Election

2026 is a General Election cycle with the following election dates:

  • August 11, 2026 - Primary Election 
  • November 3, 2026 General Election

Click here to see the MN Secretary of State Elections Calendar, including a summary of what's on the ballot in 2026.

Voting Information

National, state, and county primaries are held in August of even-numbered years. The mayor and city council positions are voted on at the general election which is held in November in even-numbered years.

City Council Filing Information

The positions on the City Council that will be voted on at the 2026 general election will be for Ward 2, Ward 4, and At-Large. City positions are non-partisan.  The filing period for the City Council positions is from July 14, 2026 through July 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. 
The filing fee for city candidates is $2.

Information for Election Day

Polls open on election day at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. To determine which ward to vote in please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s site. The polling place locations have changed from the 2020 elections and are as follows:

View the Ward Map (PDF) .  This map was adopted by the Council after the redistricting process was completed following the census.

Please contact the Administration Office with questions at 218-773-2483.

Voting Registration

New residents or residents who have not voted in the last four years have a few options to get registered for voting.

Option 1 - Online Registration - Register online at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. This information is sent to Polk County and your name will be added to the roster for election day as long as you register a minimum of 21 days prior to election day.

Option 2 - Paper Registration - The Administration Office in City Hall has voter registration forms that can be filled out and mailed to the County. This form also needs to be received by the County a minimum of 21 days before election day to be included on the roster.

Option 3 - Election Day Registration - Residents have the ability to register to vote on the day of the election. See the list of items that could be used as proof of residence to register on election day.

Absentee Voting Information - Polk County

In Minnesota, you can vote early with an absentee ballot up to 46 days before Election Day.

  • Vote early by mail 
  • Vote early by ballot drop box located on the East side of the Polk County Government Center, 612 N Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716
  • Vote early in person at the Polk County Government Center in Crookston
  • Vote from military or abroad
  • Track your absentee ballot

Polk County Government Center Ballot Drop Off Box

Absentee and Mail Ballots can be deposited in the drop box located just east of the front entrance of the Polk County Government Center in Crookston. This box is monitored by 24/7 video surveillance.

  • You may deposit your own ballot only.
  • You may NOT deposit another voters' ballot.  Those ballots must be returned to the Auditor/Treasurer's Office directly and you will be required to sign an Agent Delivery form.
  • You may NOT deposit a ballot for another County.
  • Ballots WILL NOT be accepted after 8pm on Election Day

Absentee Voting Support in East Grand Forks

There are three options for voting absentee for an election. Absentee ballots will be available for the Primary and the General Elections in 2026 and will be available starting 46 days prior to each election day.

  • Option 1 - Apply online - Fill out the online application to receive an absentee ballot. Once the application is received by Polk County they will be mailing out the absentee ballot.
  • Option 2 - Apply over the phone - Residents can call the Polk County Government Center at 218-281-2554. First, they will mail out the application and once they receive the application back they will mail out the ballot when available for the election.
  • Option 3 - Apply at East Grand Forks City Hall - Residents can complete the absentee application in person and the City will forward the application to Polk County. Once the application is received, Polk County will mail the ballot to the absentee applicant.