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Absentee ballots are available for voters who will be away from home, who are ill or disabled, who are election judges in a precinct other than their own, or for voters who are unable to vote on that day because of religious observances or holidays. In addition, anyone with visual impairments can request absentee ballots with large print.

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State's office, the easiest way to vote by absentee ballot is to do so in person at the county auditor's office or in a city or township clerk's office starting 30 days before election day.

Absentee voting is available to registered and non-registered voters alike. Non-registered voters must fill out a voter registration form in front of a witness - another registered voter in the same precinct or a notary public or another person with the authority to administer oaths - and return it with the ballot.

Voters can request an absentee ballot from their county auditor or their city or township clerk.

Locally, absentee ballots can be obtained from the following city and township clerks: city of Lake Henry, Rhonda Fangmeier, 320-243-8017; city of Paynesville, Steve Helget, 320-243-3714; city of Regal, Jack Kotten, 320-243-4798; city of Roscoe, Julie Katzner, 320-243-4853; city of St. Martin, Kara Terres, 320-548-3386; Eden Lake Township, Geri Kadlec, 320-453-7216; Irving Township, Donel Williamson, 320-974-3403; Lake Henry Township, Ralph Klassen, 320-243-3277; Manannah Township, Agnes Schmidt, 320-453-7896; Paynesville Township, Don Wiese, 320-243-7171; Roseville Township, Patricia Fenske, 320-276-8290; St. Martin Township, Don Rausch, 320-548-3260; Union Grove Township, Loren Pearson, 320-276-8639; and Zion Township, Carolyn Reeck, 320-243-4866.

Absentee ballots can also be ordered online at www.sos.state. mn.us.

Absentee ballots can be returned anytime within 30 days of the election and must be received by the polling site by the end of election day. Polling hours for the general election are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide.

For more information on absentee voting, contact the county auditor's office. In Stearns County, call 320-656-3900; in Meeker County, call 320-693-5212; and in Kandiyohi County, call 320-231-6202.