Cokato, Minnesota Public Records

The Cokato Police Department is responsible for maintaining public safety and law enforcement within the city. Residents and interested parties can access information about the department, including contact details and general policies, through the City of Cokato's website at http://www.cokato.mn.us. Additionally, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides a statewide repository for law enforcement records, which may contain information relevant to the Cokato community.

Cokato voters are served by the Wright County Elections Office, located within the Wright County License Center at 3700 Braddock Avenue NE, Buffalo, MN 55313 (phone: 763-682-7400, website: www.co.wright.mn.us/elections). Minnesota residents can register to vote online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterRegistration, by mail, or in person at the county elections office. Minnesota also offers Election Day registration at polling places, allowing eligible residents to register and vote on the same day with proper proof of residence. Identification requirements include a valid Minnesota driver's license, state ID, tribal ID, or other approved documents showing current name and address. The voter registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day for online and mail registration, but again, same-day registration is available. Cokato holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions; the City of Cokato mayor and council members serve four-year terms, with municipal elections typically held in even-numbered years in November on the general election date. The next municipal election for Cokato city offices will occur in November 2026, when voters will elect city council members whose terms are expiring. Cokato residents can find their assigned polling place by using the Minnesota Polling Place Finder at https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us or by contacting the Wright County Elections Office. Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13.02 and 201.091) designates certain election records as public data, including voter registration rosters (with some personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed with the state Campaign Finance Board (accessible at www.cfboard.state.mn.us), candidate filings and nomination petitions, and precinct-level election results. Wright County posts unofficial election results on election night and certified results shortly thereafter on the county website. In the November 2024 presidential election, Wright County recorded approximately 65-70% voter turnout among registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of Minnesota's high-participation electorate. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Cokato and Wright County voters will decide several important races: the Minnesota gubernatorial election (Governor Tim Walz's successor, as governors serve four-year terms), all Minnesota constitutional offices including Secretary of State and Attorney General, one of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seats if up for election in 2026 (pending the election cycle), all members of the Minnesota House of Representatives (two-year terms), half of the Minnesota State Senate (four-year staggered terms), Wright County offices including County Commissioners for certain districts, County Sheriff, County Attorney, and potentially county recorder and other positions, as well as Cokato municipal offices including mayor and city council seats. Minnesota voters can request an absentee ballot online at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus or by contacting the Wright County Elections Office; Minnesota offers no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any registered voter may vote by mail without providing a reason. Absentee ballots can be requested beginning 46 days before Election Day and must be received by Election Day to be counted.