Vote Early

• Request a vote-by-mail absentee ballot
• Track the status of your mail ballot- from the point the request for a mail ballot is received until it is tabulated

Get Ready

• Get your personalized sample ballot based on your home address
• Check your assigned polling place for Election Day

Register to Vote on Election Day

• List of proofs of identification for Election Day Registration

Voting is as easy as three simple steps.

Step 1: Register

The first step to voting is getting registered. Register to vote or check your registration online now. Voters in Minnesota can also register when voting. Here is a list of approved identification items you can use on Election Day to register.

Step 2: Learn

Access your personalized sample ballot for each election event beginning 46 days before each election to see exactly what your ballot looks like before you go to vote.

Step 3: Other Ways to Vote

Voters have three choices for how to cast a ballot:

1. By mail - starts 46 days before the election
2. Early in-person For more details contact the county offices (Fillmore County 507-765-4701 or Olmsted County 507-328-7650) - starts 46 days before the election
3. At your assigned polling place on Election Day

• Check Your Registration Status - Not sure if you're registered? Check here.

• Register to Vote - Register for the first time or update your registration here in minutes

If you are interested in being an election judge during the 2026-2027 election cycle, please fill out this online application. Election Judge Application

2026 Elections:

August 11, 2026 - Primary Election (Applications due July 3, 2026 by noon)

November 3, 2026 - Primary Election (Application due Oct. 2, 2026 by noon)

Filing Dates

Any individual who desires to become a candidate for an office to be voted for at the Municipal General Election to be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026 may file an Affidavit of Candidacy in the City Clerk’s Office at the Thurber Community Building between Tuesday, July 14, 2026 and Tuesday, July 28, 2026, (Monday - Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm)

Special Note: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the office will remain open until 5 pm for candidate filing.

The following offices shall be filled:

• Mayor – Two year term
• (2) Councilors – four year term each
  
  

Qualifications

• A resident of the city for 30 days before the general election
• Has not filed for any other office in the same election.
• Must be a qualified voter in the State of Minnesota.
• Candidates filing for office must be 21 years of age or more when assuming office.

Resolution 2026-18 as passed by the City Council of Chatfield, Minnesota on February 23, 2026 and reads as follows:

A RESOLUTION GOVERNING WRITE-IN VOTE COUNTING.

 WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute § 204B.09, subd. 3 authorizes a city to adopt a resolution governing the counting of write-in votes;

 WHEREAS, a city that adopts a resolution must do so before the first day of filing for office;

 WHEREAS, city election officials spend considerable time and resources to count and individually record write-in votes cast, many of which are frivolous; and

 WHEREAS, in order to save city time and resources, it is in the best interest of the City of Chatfield, to enforce restrictions on the counting of write-in votes consistent with the provisions of Minnesota Statute § 204B.09, subd. 3.

 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHATFIELD, MINNESOTA THAT:

Any candidate wishing to have their write-in votes individually recorded must file a written request with the City Clerk no later than the seventh day before any municipal election.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 204B.09, subd. 3, this resolution shall remain in effect until a subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the City of Chatfield.

Here is the form for Written Requests by Write-In Candidate for City Office