Elections

Overview:
Election judges are critical to administering elections. They greet voters and verify they are in the correct polling place, register voters, obtain signatures, hand out ballots, assist with voting machines, set up and close polling locations, and assist voters as needed. After completing a training session, judges will be assigned a polling location to work at during the election. A judge can elect to work a half-day, or a full day. Judges can also serve on the early voting teams and the healthcare facility voting teams.

Head election judges supervise polling locations on election day, direct and support election judges, and perform closing procedures at the end of the election day. Head judges work the full day. Because of the increased responsibility, head judges must complete some additional training and are compensated at a higher rate.

• Be a U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old
• A resident of Minnesota
• Able to read, write, and speak English
• Not have had your voting rights revoked
• Be able to remain impartial and nonpartisan
• Attend a required two-hour paid training session

To apply to be an election judge for the 2026 election, please click on the link below which will take you to an application. Complete the application, and the City will contact you regarding next steps.

Election Judge Application

Student Election Judges

• be a United States citizen
• be at least 16 years of age
• serve in the county where they reside or adjoining county
• be in good academic standing
• have permission from their school and parents

Trainee election judges can serve for all elections. They serve without party affiliation and must be paid. They cannot serve past 10 p.m. Trainee election judges, like other election judges, are not required to serve the entire day and will typically work modified hours (9:00 am - 5:00 pm).

• Angelica Contreras
  • website: www.contrerasformayor.com     
  • phone: 952-217-2595 
• Julian Rodriguez     
  • phone: 763-202-1683
• Matt Lehman       
  • website: www.re-elect-lehman.com     
  • phone: 952-496-2069

• Ali Verney
  • phone: 612-469-5624
• Brendan VanAlstyne
  • website: www.brendanvforshakopee.org
  • phone: 763-200-3711
• Carter McNew       
  • website: www.cartermcnew.com
  • phone: 612-839-8998
• Jim DuLaney       
  • website: www.dulaneyforcitycouncil.com     
  • phone: 952-380-8250
• Mustafa Sandhu       
  • website: www.mustafasandhu.com       
  • phone: 612-787-5441 

• Angelica Contreras
  • Initial Report - 06/26/2026 (amended 09/08/2026) 
  • Pre-Primary Report - 08/31/2026
• Brendan VanAlstyne
  • Initial Report - 08/31/2026
• Carter McNew
  • Initial Report - 09/01/2026
• Jim DuLaney
  • Initial Report - 07/28/2026
• Mustafa Sandhu
  • Initial Report - 08/04/2026

• Pre-primary report: 10 days before the primary or special primary.
• Pre-general report: 10 days before the general election or special election.
• Post-general report: 30 days after a general election or special election.
• Final Report: any time after the candidate has settled all debts and disposed of all assets in excess of $100 in aggregate.
• Annual/January report: by January 31 every year after an initial report has been filed. Once a final report is filed, no further subsequent reports are required.

To vote in any election in Minnesota, you must be:

• a citizen of the United States
• at least 18 years of age on election day
• a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days
• properly registered

Eligibility requirements for voting are established by the State of Minnesota. For more information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Registering Before Election:
Residents are encouraged register to vote prior to the election. You can register through the Minnesota Secretary of State's Voter Registration website below. 

Register to Vote

• A valid Minnesota driver's license or learner's permit (or receipt) showing a current address in that precinct.
• A valid Minnesota ID (or receipt ) showing a current address in that precinct.
• Prior registration in the same precinct with former name or address shown on the roster.
• A mailed notice received from the Scott County Auditor's Office indicating an insufficient registration.
• Notice of late registration sent by Scott County Elections.
• Tribal ID card that shows name, current address, signature and photo.
• A photo ID (MN driver's license or MN ID with former address; U.S. passport; U.S. military ID; MN student photo ID from a post-secondary institution; Tribal ID with former address bearing name, signature and picture) with current bill showing voter's name and current address (i.e. utility bill due within 30 days of the election; student fee statement; rent statement dated within 30 days of election day that itemizes utilities)

2026 In-Person Absentee Voting:

2026 Early Voting:

• Early Voting Extended Hours:
  • Saturday, October 21: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Tuesday, October 27: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, October 31: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Sunday November 1: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Monday, November 2: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

To vote on Election Day you will need to go to your your designated polling location. Polling places are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day. As long as you're in line by 8:00 pm, you can vote. You will not be able to join the line to vote after 8:00 pm. 

If you received a mailed ballot, you can either mail the completed ballot back to the county using the return envelope are provided, or drop-off your ballot at the Scott County Public Works Facility (600 Country Trail East, Jordan) or at the Scott County Government Center (200 4th Avenue West, Shakopee).

The City of Shakopee's early voting polling location does not accept mail-in or drop-off absentee ballots.

Results will be posted as soon as possible after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on election night. All results are unofficial until certified.  

Election Results

Election judges are critical to administering elections. They greet voters and verify they are in the correct polling place, register voters, obtain signatures, hand out ballots, assist with voting machines, set up and close polling locations, and assist voters as needed. After completing a training session, judges will be assigned a polling location to work at during the election. A judge can elect to work a half-day, or a full day on election day. Judges can also serve on the early voting teams and the healthcare facility voting teams.

The City also seeks individuals who are willing to serve as head election judges. Head judges supervise polling locations on election day and work full day shifts. Because of the increased responsibility, head judges must complete some additional training and are compensated at a higher rate.

• Be a U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old
• A resident of Minnesota
• Able to read, write, and speak English
• Not have had your voting rights revoked
• Be able to remain impartial and nonpartisan
• Attend a required two-hour paid training session

To apply to be an election judge for the 2026 election, please click on the link below which will take you to an application. Complete the application, and the City will contact you regarding next steps.

Election Judge Application

Student Election Judges

High school students, including home-schooled students that are 16 and 17 years of age can be trainee election judges. Students who are 18 years of age or older can serve as regular election judges. Student Election Judges are paid $12 per hour. To serve as trainee election judges students must: be a United States citizen; be at least 16 years of age; serve in the county where they reside or adjoining county; be in good academic standing; and have permission from their school and parents.

Trainee election judges can serve for all elections. They serve without party affiliation and must be paid. They cannot serve past 10 p.m. Trainee election judges, like other election judges, are not required to serve the entire day.

As election season gets underway, please keep these rules in mind when placing campaign signs:

• Only place signs on private property and make sure you have the property owner's permission.
• Keep signs out of public rights-of-way, away from intersections where they could block visibility, and at least 100 feet from polling places.
• Remove all campaign signs by November 15.
• Signs that don't follow city or state regulations may be removed by the City.