Brainerd, Minnesota Public Records

Eligible citizens can register online until 21 days before an election; after that deadline, voters must register in person at the Crowwing County elections office or at their polling place on Election Day. The state permits Election Day registration with proof of residence such as a utility bill, driver's license with current address, or a registered voter from the same precinct vouching for the new registrant. Acceptable identification for same-day registration includes a Minnesota driver's license, state ID, tribal ID, or other documents establishing residence. As a statutory city under Minnesota law, Brainerd holds municipal elections for mayor and city council. The mayor and council members serve four-year terms, with council elections staggered. The city's next municipal election will be held in November 2026, when voters will elect city council members and potentially other city offices. Local ballot questions and charter amendments may also appear. To find their assigned polling place, residents can use the Minnesota Secretary of State's Polling Place Finder at https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us by entering their address. Crow Wing County typically operates approximately 30 polling places across the county, with multiple locations in the city including precincts at Washington Education Center, Forestview Middle School, and other public buildings. Minnesota election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (though marked as private data for commercial use), campaign finance reports through the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board at https://cfb.mn.gov, candidate filings, election results by precinct, and absentee ballot statistics. In the November 2024 presidential election, Crow Wing County reported approximately 67% voter turnout with roughly 36,000 ballots cast out of approximately 54,000 registered voters; the county leaned Republican with Donald Trump receiving approximately 62% of the presidential vote. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Brainerd and Crow Wing County voters will decide several major races: one of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seats is NOT up in 2026 (Senator Amy Klobuchar's term expires in 2027, Senator Tina Smith's in 2027), but Minnesota voters will elect a new governor as Tim Walz's term expires (gubernatorial elections are held in midterm years), all 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, half of the 67 Minnesota State Senate seats including Senate District 9 which includes the city, several statewide constitutional offices including Attorney General and Secretary of State, Crow Wing County Commissioner seats for Districts 2 and 4, Crow Wing County Sheriff, County Attorney, and other county offices, and city council seats and potentially mayor depending on term schedules. Minnesota judicial elections for District Court judges may also appear on the ballot. To request an absentee ballot in Minnesota, voters can apply online at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx, by mail, or in person at the Crow Wing County Elections Office beginning 46 days before Election Day. Minnesota is a no-excuse absentee state, meaning any registered voter may vote absentee without providing a reason. Absentee ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received within 3 days) or delivered in person to the Crowwing County elections office by 3:00 PM on Election Day. Residents can track their absentee ballot status through the Secretary of State's online portal.