Minnesota voters have less than a week to preregister to vote in the state’s Aug. 12 primary.

This year, voters will decide a U.S. Senate seat, all eight U.S. House seats, governor, state officers and other Minnesota House seats. The 2014 election also includes county commissioners, county sheriffs, county attorneys, auditors, treasurers and recorders.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie urges eligible voters to sign up before the July 22 deadline at www.mnvotes.org to save wait times at the polling place. Nearly 5,700 voters have successfully registered online.

Voters also may preregister by contacting their local elections office to request a voter registration application form, or download and print an application that is available in several languages.

Those who miss the July 22 preregistration deadline can still register at their polling place on primary election day by bringing an approved proof of residence. Voters may continue to register to vote online for the Nov. 4 general election through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 14.

The website includes helpful tools for requesting an absentee ballot, looking up the status of a ballot, checking to see whether you’re registered to vote at your current address, viewing a sample ballot and finding a polling place.

Here are other key dates:

July 22: Preregistration deadline for primary election. Voters should preregister to avoid long lines at the polls. However, you may still register on primary election day.

Aug. 12: Primary election day.

Sept. 19: Absentee ballots will be available for the general election.

Oct. 14: Preregistration deadline for the general election. Voters who miss this deadline may still vote on election day.

Nov. 4: General election day.

Abby Simons