Minnesota Secretary Of State - Secretary Simon Updates Absentee Voting Participation Numbers Five Days Before Election Day
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Secretary Simon Updates Absentee Voting Participation Numbers Five Days Before Election Day

November 1, 2018

More than 475,000 absentee ballots already requested

SAINT PAUL — Minnesota voters since 2014 have had the option of vote from home, or “no-excuse absentee” voting. All county election offices throughout the state also offer in-person absentee voting, commonly referred to as “early voting.” Since 2014, Minnesota voters have increasingly used vote from home and early in-person voting to cast their ballots. Voting for the 2018 statewide general election began on September 21, 2018. As of this morning, more than 476,000 absentee ballots have been requested.

“Minnesotans are on pace to maintain our title as #1 in the country in voter participation,’” said Secretary of State Steve Simon. “If you haven’t voted yet, please take the opportunity over the next five days to go to mnvotes.org and find your early voting location or Election Day polling place. You can also register to vote in-person at your early vote center or on Election Day. Minnesotans have more voting freedom than almost any state in our country and I am so energized by the robust civic engagement of my fellow Minnesotans. Thank you for being the best voters in the country.”

As of Thursday, November 1, 2018, at least 476,167 absentee ballots have been requested by Minnesota voters. 410,238 have been accepted by election officials. The rate of absentee ballot requests is an increase of 142 percent over the same time in the 2014 (last statewide non-presidential election) calendar. The rate of accepted ballots is an increase of 177 percent over the same time in 2014.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Please go to mnvotes.org for more information about in-person early voting, same-day voter registration, or to find your polling place.