ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – One of the most critical Presidential elections in history is a little more than three weeks away, and many of those who won’t be able to vote on Election Day are already sending in their absentee ballots.

The Secretary of State’s Office said more than 100,000 absentee ballots were requested. Of those ballots, more than 41,000 have been returned and accepted to count towards overall results on Election Day.

The number of returned and accepted ballots has nearly doubled in about a week.

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.