Figures from the North Dakota Secretary of State showed 5,415 Ward County voters had cast their ballots through 4 p.m. Wednesday in early voting at the county administration building in Minot. Another 3,870 absentee ballots have been returned so far in an election that has been drawing voter interest across the state.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, 113,507 people had voted early and 36,063 had returned their absentee ballots across North Dakota.

Ward County Auditor Marisa Haman said her office ramped up for this election by adding more polling staff and printing more ballots. However, the popularity of early voting took her by surprise.

“The highest early vote was 8,000 in 2020 so that was a pretty big year. So, I was thinking 10,000 maybe,” she said. “It’s probably exceeded my expectation a little bit but I also ordered extra ballots this year.”

She explained ballots are based on historical numbers of active and inactive voters and the potential turnout.

Ward County will continue to offer early voting through Friday and again on Monday, Nov. 4.

Haman said the county is prepared to have each of the polling sites well stocked with ballots on Election Day on Nov. 5. Because the sites serve as poll centers at which any Ward County voter can cast a ballot regardless of residence, it can be difficult to estimate the number of needed ballots for each precinct. However, Haman said the express voting machines that are available to voters don’t require a pre-printed ballot and can be used if a ballot type runs out.

Ward County also added three polling places this year. That decreases the potential for voter congestion on Election Day and adds to the number of poll workers available to assist voters. Haman said the larger locations will have greeters/guides to direct people as they come to vote, which is new this year.

The heaviest voting in recent elections has been at the Municipal Auditorium’s armory. Haman encourages Minot area voters concerned about lines to consider voting at the State Fair Center, which tends to be less congested. The county administration building also serves as a vote center in Minot.