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Absentee voting is now underway for the upcoming primary election, which takes place Aug. 11.

People who choose to vote early can request an absentee ballot online or in-person at the Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office.

Minnesota has implemented no-excuse absentee voting, so voters do not need to have an excuse to vote via absentee.

To request a ballot online, people should visit the Freeborn County website at www.co.freeborn.mn.us and select the Auditor-Treasurer’s page and then click on the “Elections” link, which will take visitors to an absentee voting link. They can also ask go to www.mnvotes.org.

Once election officials receive the application, they will mail the ballot materials. For people who are not currently registered to vote, a voter registration application will be provided with the ballot.

To request an absentee ballot in person, people can make an appointment on the county’s website with the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office or call 377-5121 during regular business hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Aug. 10. The office will also be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8.

People can cast the ballot during the same visit.

For the general election, people can contact the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Sept. 18 through Nov. 2. or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Voting for that election starts 46 days ahead of the general election.

The Auditor-Treasurer’s office reminded people that because the office is a polling place for absentee voting, campaigning is not allowed within 100 feet of or in the courthouse, according to state statute.