(St. Paul, MN)  --  More than 41-thousand of the 100-thousand absentee ballots requested by Minnesotans have already been returned by voters and accepted.  State law allows absentee voting for those who won't be home on Election Day or can't vote then for other reasons, including illness, disability or religious observance.  Absentee voting is available in person at the offices of county auditors and some municipal clerks -- or by mail.