ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – As expected, the number of individuals voting by absentee ballot is showing a dramatic increase this year.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, voters were encouraged to fill out absentee ballots ahead of the June 2 Primary Election.

Brown County Auditor Cathy McNickle said that number of absentee ballots turned in is way of ahead of the normal pace with two weeks still remaining before the election. McNickle is not surprised by the increase, considering the request to have people vote ahead of time.

McNickle said there are actually three ways to vote in the upcoming election.

She said that the last day to vote by absentee is Monday, June 1, and that all mailed in ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2.

Unlike some cities, Brown County will have all of its normal poll centers open on the day of the election, however, one of those locations has changed from the past.

McNickle said that things have gone smoothly so far.