Washington and Ramsey County vote centers will open Aug. 18 for Woodbury’s early voting period ahead of the Aug. 26 primary election for Minnesota Senate District 47.

Residents can check their registration and view a sample ballot at www.mnvotes.gov. Information on registering to vote and voter rights can be found here.

The primary will decide which of two DFL candidates – state Reps. Ethan Cha and Amanda Hemmingson-Jaeger – will be on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot to replace former state Sen. Nicole Mitchell. 

The DFL primary winner will face Republican Dwight Dorau in the general election. Dorau was the only Republican to file for the District 47 seat, so a GOP primary was not necessary.

Here are the Washington County primary election voting details:

Voting early in person 

Early in-person voting will be available Aug. 18-25 at the following vote centers: 

• Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater. 
• Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Rd., Woodbury. 

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional in-person early-voting hours at both centers: 

• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23 
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25 

Voting early by mail 

Absentee voters who receive their ballots by mail are encouraged to consider the short timeframe for return delivery. Ballots must be received by Aug. 26 to be counted, and as the election date nears, mailing may not provide enough time for delivery. Officials recommend that voters instead consider returning their ballots in person to help ensure that they arrive on time. 

For absentee ballots to count, remember: 

• Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully. 
• You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a notary or a US citizen who will be at least 18 years of age on Election Day. 
• Absentee ballots may be dropped off with an election official at either Washington County Vote Center during operating hours, including on Aug. 26 Election Day until 5 p.m. 
• Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day. 

Registered voters can cast their ballot early by mail for future elections by requesting an absentee ballot here. 

Voting in person on Election Day 

Polling locations will be open in Washington County Aug. 26 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling location and other election information here. 

The Washington County Election Division can be reached at (651) 430-6175 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

South Maplewood residents in District 47

Part of the Senate District – South Maplewood – is in Ramsey County. Early voters there also can vote beginning Aug. 18, according to the county’s website: 

• Due to the short primary timeline, Ramsey county election officials also recommend that voters not vote by mail but that they drop off early/absentee ballots instead at the St. Paul Voting Center, 90 Plato Blvd. W. during the following hours:
• 8/18 (Mon)-8/22 (Fri) 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• 8/23 (Sat) 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• 8/25 (Mon) 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Voters may Pre-register by August 20 or register on Election Day.
• Find your polling place here. Ramsey County polling places will be open 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 26.