ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota officials say unofficial turnout in Tuesday’s election was about 76 percent of eligible voters.

The secretary of state’s office says nearly complete returns show more than 2.9 million votes in the presidential race, which they use for a preliminary estimate. They say the number of ballots cast is a record.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says the final turnout percentage will be a bit higher when the vote count is final. He had projected turnout approaching 80 percent.

Minnesota’s highest general election turnout came in 1956, when a little more than 83 percent of eligible voters participated. The state is typically among best in the nation in turnout.

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