Everyone expects low turnout Tuesday for the new August Primary Election, but there’s this interesting news from the secretary of state:
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said today that the number of absentee ballots successfully cast statewide for the upcoming Aug. 10 primary has eclipsed 2002 and 2006 state primary totals. He indicated that as of Friday morning, election officials were reporting 21,703 absentee ballots accepted statewide. Minnesotans cast a total of 18,850 absentee ballots in the 2002 primary and 19,859 in 2006; both were non-presidential election years.
“Voter turnout in primaries is traditionally lower than turnout in general elections,” Ritchie said. “However, these numbers are encouraging and may indicate that Minnesotans are engaged and are planning ahead knowing that they may be away on the Aug. 10 primary day,” Ritchie said.
Minnesotans unable to make it to their polling places on Tuesday, Aug. 10 may still choose to vote by absentee ballot. In-person absentee balloting is available at county auditor and some city clerk offices Friday, Aug. 6 (regular business hours), Saturday, Aug. 7 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 9 (until 5 p.m.).
