Stearns County, Minnesota
Your guide to voting in Stearns County, Minnesota: registration, sample ballots, ID requirements and where to get local help. Home to about 164,000 people, Stearns County ranks 8th in population among Minnesota's 87 counties. In Minnesota, the county election office handles registration and absentee voting, often alongside city clerks.
Next Election
March 7, 2028
Voter Portal
Register Online
What's On My Ballot?
ID Requirements
Absentee / Early Voting
Registration Deadline
Register online or by mail at least 21 days before an election; you can also register in person, including on Election Day.
Why Voting Matters
Why does voting matter in Stearns County? Because every eligible voter here has exactly the same power at the ballot box: one vote. The next election for Stearns County voters is Minnesota's presidential nomination primary on March 7, 2028; local elections can come sooner, so check your local election office. Many Stearns County jobs are in health care and manufacturing, so decisions about health care costs and manufacturing jobs hit close to home.
In the 2024 presidential election, about 86,400 ballots were cast in Stearns County, up about 2% from 84,800 in 2020. With roughly 127,000 adults living in the county, that is around 68% of adult residents, below the statewide rate of about 72%.
That means roughly 40,700 adult residents did not cast a presidential ballot. Some are not eligible, but many are, and that is a lot of untapped power. If just one in 20 of them voted, Stearns County would add about 2,040 voices, more than enough to decide a close local race.
With about 122 residents per square mile over 1,343 square miles, Stearns County is a place where neighbors often know their local officials. The county is home to about 2.8% of Minnesota's population.
ZIP codes in or partly in Stearns County include 55320, 55329, 55353, 55382, 55389, 56301, 56302 and 56303, plus 31 more. Check that your registration is current, look up your sample ballot, and make a plan to vote. Then ask a friend or family member in Stearns County to do the same.
Voter Assistance Resources
Who runs elections in Stearns County? In Minnesota, the county election office handles registration and absentee voting, often alongside city clerks. For registration, polling places, early voting and absentee ballots, contact the Stearns County election office.
Statewide directory, Minnesota Secretary of State's Find County Election Office page:
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/find-county-election-office/
See your sample ballot. Minnesota Secretary of State: Get a Sample Ballot:
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/get-a-sample-ballot/
You can also preview a personalized ballot at Vote411.org.
Free, nonpartisan help is available before and on every Election Day: call or text the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682). Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683).
Voters with disabilities in Stearns County can ask for an accessible voting machine, curbside voting where offered, and help from a person of their choice. If you run into barriers, contact the Minnesota Disability Law Center, Minnesota's Protection and Advocacy agency, at (800) 292-4150. VoteRiders (844-338-8743) offers free help with voter ID.
Need a ride? Many local transit agencies and ride services offer free or discounted rides to the polls on Election Day, so check what is available before the next election. See our Minnesota voter page for statewide options. Details can change, so confirm with the official election office.
Military and overseas voters can get help from the Federal Voting Assistance Program at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or fvap.gov.
Sign up to be an election worker
Election workers (often called poll workers) keep voting running smoothly in Stearns County. Most are paid for their time, get free training, and help their neighbors cast their ballots. You can work a full day, a shorter shift, or help before Election Day. County and municipal election offices recruit and train their own workers, and the EAC's Help America Vote page links to yours. Find out how to sign up:
https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
Take the Next Step
Find volunteer opportunities, visit the voting resources page, or shop sustainable products.
Buy the book that led to the creation of this website: Peace is Active by Tom McCann
Share what you’re doing for peace on social media with #peaceisactive