MINNEAPOLIS -- Tuesday night's primary was historic for several reasons, the results, the impact, the passion, but the overall turnout was historic as well.
Statewide, more than 900,000 voters cast their ballots in the primary, the highest turnout since 1982.
In Minneapolis the turnout was even more impressive.
"It's the most we've had in four decades, at least," city clerk Casey Carl says.
More than 93,000 Minneapolis residents voted in the election.
Just under 15,000 of those residents voted absentee.
"We saw significant participation in early voting this year," Carl explains.
Primaries are sort of like appetizers for election officials, giving them a small taste of what they can expect to see during the main course in November.
"We are already looking ahead to the general election," Carl says. "A lot of work goes into it."
City officials have decided to open four early voting centers to handle the sudden increase in absentee voters they saw this year.
The first center will open in downtown on September 21st and will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Three other centers will open on October 30th and will be open until November 5th, the day before Election Day.
Those centers will be located at the Minneapolis Urban League at 2100 Plymouth Ave. N, the University of Minnesota Field House at 1800 University Ave. SE, and the Regents Assembly building at 810 31st St. W.
Carl says these centers will have extended hours during the final week before the election.
"They will be open later in the evening and also on the weekend," Carl explains.
Several other cities are also opening early voting centers for absentee voters.
For more information on voting absentee click here.