MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — If absentee ballots are any indication, there’s a great deal of voter interest in this year’s election.

On Monday, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced that 235,000 absentee ballots have already been cast. It’s a strong indicator that Minnesota may once again lead the nation in voter participation, with some 78 percent of the state’s electorate casting ballots.

Grace Wachlarowicz, who heads elections for the city of Minneapolis, has seen a steady stream of absentee voters over the past six weeks.

“It has been incredibly busy and steady,” said Wachlarowicz. “Absentee voting started 45 days ago on September 21st and we will probably process over 13,000 absentee voters.”

NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Steve Murphy Reports

Absentee voting is allowed in Minnesota if the voter expects to be away from his or her precinct on Election Day or if there are health or religious reasons they’re unable to vote on Tuesday.

The absentee ballot period ends Nov. 5.