As the coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten the health of people locally and across the country, Carlton County acting auditor/treasurer Kathy Kortuem said both the county and the secretary of state are encouraging people to vote by using absentee ballots if they don’t already live somewhere using mail-in ballots.

Absentee voting for the Aug. 11 primary election begins today, Friday, June 26.

Residents also can vote at her office in the Carlton County Courthouse starting today.

Kortuem said her office has received lots of absentee ballot applications.

She also warned voters to not...