Minnesota sets new high for votes cast in an election

Based on unofficial ballot counts through Wednesday morning, Minnesota appears to have set a new high-water mark for votes cast in an election.

According to data from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, just over 3.2 million ballots had been counted in Minnesota as of noon Wednesday with seven outstanding precincts remaining. That’s at least a 7.9% increase over the previous record set in the 2016 general election when just shy of 3 million Minnesotans voted.

Last month, Minnesota shattered its previous record for accepted absentee ballots. Amid concerns about voting in-person during the coronavirus pandemic, more than 2.1 million absentee ballots were requested, and 1.8 million absentee ballots were accepted. The previous record of 676,722 absentee ballots was also set in 2016.

Minneapolis on Tuesday announced it had surpassed its voter turnout record with hours left until polls closed.

According to the United States Election Project, about 3.6 million of Minnesota’s estimated 4.1 million eligible voters had registered to vote as of 7 a.m. on Election Day.