ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced Friday that of the more than 77,000 Minnesotans who requested absentee ballots, over 21,000 ballots have already been returned and accepted.

“Voters still have time left before the November 6 general election to vote by absentee ballot,” Ritchie said. “I urge voters who will be out of their precincts on Election Day and who wish to cast a ballot to fill out their absentee ballot applications and send them in today, or visit their county auditor’s office to cast their absentee ballots in-person.”

Absentee voters are encouraged to apply for their ballot materials as soon as possible online, or they can visit their county auditor’s office to vote absentee in-person. In some cases, voters can visit their city clerk for these services.

An eligible Minnesota voter may cast an absentee ballot for one of the following reasons: absence from the precinct, observance of religious discipline or holiday, illness or disability, serving as an election judge in another precinct, or when an emergency is declared by the governor or quarantine is declared by the federal or state government.

To track the status of a voter’s absentee ballot, for additional online service or to obtain additional information on voting absentee, go to the Secretary of State’s website.

To learn about the absentee balloting process for military and overseas voters, visit the Military and Overseas Voter Service website.