ST. PAUL, MINN. — Minnesota state election officials held an election update press conference on the eve of the state’s August 11 primary election. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon reported that 206,196 Minnesotans had already voted in the primary as of Monday morning. The total marks the highest number of early votes recorded for a primary election in a non-presidential election year in state history. In-Person Early Voting: Local election offices close for early in-person voting at 5:00 p.m. on the eve of Election Day. Hennepin County and Ramsey County declined the DOJ’s request to enter polling places, which requires local permission under Minnesota law.