Skip to main content

Minnesota Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Minnesota primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open; Democratic state: Open; Republican presidential: Open; Republican state: Open.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: No.
  • Democratic delegates: 92 total, 75 pledged, 17 unpledged, 6 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 39 total, 39 pledged, 0 unpledged, 36 alternates.

Minnesota Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialOpen
DemocraticStateOpen
RepublicanPresidentialOpen
RepublicanStateOpen

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: No

Minnesota is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries and State primaries are scheduled to run on different dates.

Minnesota is an Open-primary State. A primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election. There may be two kinds of offices on your primary ballot: partisan offices and nonpartisan offices. For partisan offices, You can only vote for candidates from one political party. If you vote for candidates from more than one political party, your votes will not count.

Voting In Primaries​

  • You decide when you vote which one of the parties you will vote for—Minnesota does not have political party registration. Note that voters must turn 18 years old by March 5 to vote in the presidential primary. For Presidential Primaries, Registered voters will be able to vote at their polling place on presidential primary day or by absentee ballot in the 46 days before presidential primary day (starting January 19, 2024). A voter must request the ballot of the party of their choice. If a voter refuses to select a party, they will not be able to vote in the presidential primary.

Minnesota Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

Minnesota presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party9275176Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party3939036Winner-Take-MostA mandatory 20% threshold is required.

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party Delegates Allocation​

Minnesota Democratic Party will send a total of 92 Delegate Votes and 6 Alternate Delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention. 75 of the 92 delegates are pledeged and the remaining 17 are unpledged. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 49
  • At-large Delegates: 16
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 10
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 17
  • Alternate Delegates: 6

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 10
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 6
  • Dem. Governors: 1
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party Delegates Allocation​

All 39 of Minnesota's delegates to the Republican National Convention are bound to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in today's Minnesota Presidential. A mandatory 20% threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be allocated National Convention delegates at the congressional district level.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 24
  • At-large Delegates: 12
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 36

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: