Minnesota is holding primary elections for various offices on Tuesday, Aug. 11. In Carlton County there’s not a lot of action: voters will narrow the field for Cloquet City Council Ward 5 and County Commissioner District 5. In addition, there are partisan elections for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House.

Considering the potential for spreading the coronavirus, coupled with the nervousness of many — especially seniors and others more vulnerable to the virus — we encourage people to vote absentee. While the question of the virus’ potential to cause harm has not yet been settled, the pande...