PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Over 218,000 absentee ballots were cast in South Dakota’s election earlier this month, which is a record, and created extra work for county auditors.

Secretary of State Steve Barnett says local election officials reacted well to the flurry of early votes.

Barnett says there were very few problems reported with the process this year.

Barnett says they continue to work on improvements for 2022.

Turnout was just under 74 percent statewide.