Elections & Voting
The City of Medina administers city, state, and federal elections in even-numbered years for Medina residents. The city administers elections for the school districts of Orono, Rockford, and Delano in even-numbered years for Medina residents. The school district of Wayzata held a school board election in 2025 and will transition to even-year elections beginning in 2028.
2026 Elections
The elections in 2026:
- August Primary Election held on August 11, 2026
- General Election held on November 3, 2026
Polling places are open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Election Day. On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location, based on where you live. This location may be different than the early voting locations.
Medina’s City Council includes a mayor and four council members. The mayor serves a two-year term of office and council members are elected at-large to serve four-year terms. The follow City Council seats will be on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot for terms that begin in January 2027:
- Mayor (two-year term)
- Councilmember (four-year term)
- Councilmember (four-year term)
To learn about becoming a candidate for Medina mayor or city council, visit the candidate filing page.
State General Election - November 3, 2026
Voting Options
Vote by Mail - Begins September 18, 2026
- To have a ballot mailed to you, you must apply for an absentee ballot.
- Apply for an absentee ballot online from the Minnesota Secretary of State Website
- Voted absentee ballots can be mailed to Hennepin County or dropped off at City Hall during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- If you drop off your ballot at City Hall on Election Day, it must be returned by 5 p.m.
- Return your ballot promptly. Ballots received after Election Day cannot be counted.
Track the status of your mailed ballot at: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx
Early Voting in Person - Begins October 16, 2026
- You can early vote in person at City Hall before an election. Early voting is more like voting in a polling place on Election Day. You will complete the voter certificate, receive a ballot, mark your ballot, and insert your ballot into the ballot tabulator.
- Early voting will be available at City Hall for 18 days before the election starting October 16.
- Regular hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Additional hours:
- Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 27, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, November 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, November 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, August 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Election Day - Tuesday, November 3, 2026
What is a general election?
A general election decides who takes office at every level; local, state and federal. Voters pick among candidates from different political parties, along with any independent candidates.
As of June 2026, there were six officially recognized political parties in Minnesota: The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party, Forward Independence, Minnesota Legal Marijuana Now! Party, Libertarian Party, and Republican Party. On the 2026 general ballot, you will see candidates for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Forward Independence, Libertarian Party, and Republican Party. Find your sample ballot here.
What types of offices can I vote for at a state general election?
All voters will have these races on their general election ballot:
- U.S. Senator
- U.S. Representative District 3
- Governor & Lt. Governor
- Secretary of State
- State Auditor
- Attorney General
- State Senator District 37
- State Representative District 37A
- Judicial Seats
- County Sheriff
- County Attorney
- County Park Commissioner District 1
- Mayor (Medina)
- Council Member (Medina)
- School Board Members
This year, the general ballot will have a state constitutional amendment question. A constitutional amendment is a change to Minnesota state constitution. Read more about constitutional amendments here.
Are there any special rules for voting in a state general election?
In the state general election, you may vote for candidates of any party. Follow the directions for each office for how many candidates or teams you may vote for.
What school district offices will be on the ballot?
The following school districts will have following offices on the ballot:
There will not be an election for the Wayzata School District this general election.
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