![416,000 Early Votes In As Minnesota Nears Election Day](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/10/vote-go.jpg?w=300&h=200&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
416,000 Early Votes In As Minnesota Nears Election Day
ST. PAUL (AP) - Nearly 416,000 Minnesota residents have already cast their ballots for next week's election.
The early votes are pouring in as the state holds its first presidential election with no-excuse absentee voting. Voters previously had to provide a reason to cast a ballot ahead of time.
Voting data released by the Secretary of State's office Thursday shows more than 415,000 ballots had been accepted. That's roughly 13 percent of Minnesota's registered voters. The early vote total far outpaces the 267,000 absentee ballots cast in 2012.
Early voting began in late September, one of the earliest starts in the country. Voters can continue submitting absentee ballots right up until Election Day.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)