Nearly 1 million Minnesotans voted early, a record for a non-presidential year

Nearly 1 million Minnesotans cast absentee or mail ballots before Election Day, the most ever before an election in a non-presidential year, the secretary of state's office said.

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, local election officials had accepted 983,558 ballots. Of those, 699,815 were cast in person and 283,743 were returned by mail. Absentee ballots arriving Tuesday are expected to push the total past 1 million.

Rain did not deter voters Tuesday, with a steady turnout at Alice Smith Elementary in Hopkins at midday.

Secretary of State Steve Simon cast his ballot in Hopkins on Tuesday morning with his family. Simon told WCCO his main goals are high turnout and low drama.

"I have every expectation that we're going to deliver an election that is secure," Simon said.

In Minneapolis, about a dozen people were in line outside Lake Harriet Methodist Church before polls opened. One voter said there may never have been a more important election than this one, and that many people feel they can't make a difference. "But you really can," the voter said.

Polling places are open until 8 p.m., and anyone in line by then can still vote. Every voter is assigned to a specific polling place, which can be found at mnvotes.gov/pollfinder. A sample ballot is available there, too. Voters who are not registered can sign up at their polling place, but they need proof of residence, such as a driver's license or a TV bill.

About 170,000 absentee ballots had not been returned as of Tuesday morning. All ballots must be delivered Tuesday to be counted. Voters who still have an absentee ballot should not mail it. Absentee voters can drop theirs off at their local election office until 5 p.m. Voters in mail ballot precincts, or who use agent delivery, can deliver ballots until 8 p.m. Ballots delivered by the U.S. Postal Service before 8 p.m. will also be counted. Voters can also vote in person at their polling place, which overrides the absentee ballot. Questions can go to the secretary of state's office at 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) or by text at 651-217-3862 until 8 p.m.

Voters are also deciding the balance of power in the Minnesota Legislature.