Becker, Minnesota Public Records

Minnesota offers both online and in-person voter registration options. Residents can register online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us, which requires a valid Minnesota driver's license or state ID card. The online registration deadline is 21 days before any election. The state also offers same-day voter registration at polling places on Election Day and during early voting periods, allowing eligible residents to register and vote simultaneously by providing proof of residence such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or valid Minnesota ID with current address. To be eligible to vote in Minnesota, residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on Election Day, have resided in Minnesota for at least 20 days, maintain residence in the community, have completed any felony sentence if applicable, and not be under a court-ordered guardianship that revokes voting rights. Municipal elections determine the composition of Becker's city government. The city has a five-member City Council, with the Mayor elected to a four-year term and Council members serving staggered four-year terms. City elections typically occur in November of odd-numbered years. The most recent municipal election was held in November 2023, with the next city election scheduled for November 2025 for certain council seats, and mayoral and additional council seats in 2027. Candidate filings for city offices are submitted to the Becker City Clerk at City Hall (12060 Sherburne Avenue) during the filing period established by state law, typically in late July through early August of the election year. Information about local candidates, ballot questions, and city election results is available through both City Hall at (763) 261-4200 and the Sherburne County Elections Office. Residents can find their assigned polling location using the Minnesota Polling Place Finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us by entering their address. The city typically has multiple precincts with voting locations at facilities such as City Hall, school buildings, or community centers. Polling places are open on Election Day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Minnesota also offers in-person absentee voting beginning 46 days before each election at the Sherburne County Government Center in Elk River, with extended hours in the weeks leading up to Election Day. In the November 2024 presidential election, Sherburne County reported strong voter turnout with approximately 76-78% of registered voters casting ballots, consistent with Minnesota's traditionally high participation rates. The county has historically leaned conservative in presidential elections while showing more competitive results in state and local races. The November 3, 2026 general election will be critical for local voters. Minnesota voters will elect a Governor (Tim Walz's seat is up in 2026), U.S. Senator (Tina Smith's seat is up for election in 2026), U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 6th Congressional District (which includes Becker), all Minnesota House of Representatives seats, and all Minnesota State Senate seats (class A). County-level races will include Sherburne County Commissioner seats, Sheriff, County Attorney, Auditor-Treasurer, and Recorder. Depending on the election calendar, some city positions may also appear on the 2026 ballot. Minnesota offers no-excuse absentee voting, allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us, by mail, or in person at the Sherburne County Elections Office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is typically one week before Election Day, though in-person absentee voting is available until the day before the election. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted. Election records that are public in Minnesota include voter registration lists (though residential addresses are classified as private data for most purposes), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (available through the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board at cfb.mn.gov), candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and polling place locations. The Minnesota Secretary of State maintains election results at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results, with detailed precinct results available for state and federal races. Sherburne County posts unofficial election results on election night and certified results after canvassing at www.co.sherburne.mn.us/elections. Campaign finance disclosure is required for candidates raising or spending more than $750 for local races and $100 for county races, with reports viewable online through the state Campaign Finance Board.