Absentee Ballot Voting Up 65 Percent From Last Mid-Term

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Minnesotans have been avoiding long lines on Election Day by voting early this year.

More than 150,000 absentee ballots have been given to voters for the Nov. 4 election.

More than half have been returned to election officials.

So far, there's been a 65 percent increase in absentee ballots from 2010.

This year, for the first time, anyone in Minnesota can vote absentee, and you don't need a reason for doing so.

To get an early ballot, you can go online to mnvotes.org or visit your county elections office.