What Cook County voters should know ahead of the November general election
The Nov. 3 general election is one month away, and Cook County voters have several ways to cast their ballots before Election Day.
Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers and Taxes and Elections Administrator Cortnee Bernier spoke with WTIP about what voters should know as Election Day approaches.
Over the last week, Cook County voters began receiving mail ballots. Bernier said voters who have not yet received a ballot by later this week should check their registration information on mnvotes.sos.mn.gov or contact the county.
Minnesota’s early voting process begins Oct. 16. In Cook County, early voting will take place out front of the auditor’s office within the Cook County Courthouse. As the Nov. 3 general election date nears and voter traffic increases, Powers said early voting operations will move into the lobby area to allow more space.
Voters will complete an early voting certificate before receiving their ballot. Two election judges will issue the ballot, which voters can then place directly into a ballot counter.
The county will also offer extended hours for early and absentee voting on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 27, until 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and then Sunday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 also from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Election Day, voters casting ballots in person in Grand Marais East will use a new polling location this year at Grand Marais City Hall. Grand Marais West voters will continue voting at the Cook County Community Center.
Voters can also register through Election Day. Online preregistration closes 21 days before the election, on Oct. 13, but Minnesota allows eligible voters to register at a polling location with proof of residence.
As the general election nears, Powers and Bernier said county staff is busy testing ballot counters and election equipment and making the final preparations.
“Everything has to be tested,” Powers said. “Every precinct, every race, every way imaginable.”
The county has also scheduled a public accuracy test of its ballot-counting equipment at the Cook County Courthouse for Oct. 23.
For questions about registration, ballots, or voting locations, voters can contact the Cook County elections office at 218-387-3640 or visit MNVotes.gov. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s website also provides information about ballots, early voting and polling places.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers and Elections Administrator Cortnee Bernier about the upcoming Nov. 3 general election and what Cook County voters should know. Audio is available below.
Kalli Hawkins October 5, 2026
