The conclusion of Tuesday’s election brought a mixture of emotions.

Some celebrated and some mourned the outcome of the results, while others were just glad the election is over.

From the time polls opened Tuesday until they closed 13 hours later, a steady stream of Koochiching County voters turned out for the 2018 midterm election.

“It has been steady,” said Koochiching County Auditor/Treasurer Bob Peterson. “The polls saw some good numbers.”

In the county, 5,042, or 70 percent, of eligible voters cast ballots – some on Tuesday, others in advance.

“We had several mail-in or absentee ballots to factor in,” Peterson said. “There was quite the push for early voting for us.”

The reason for the extra effort was to increase voter participation, and statewide, Minnesota typically experiences high levels of voter participation and routinely ranks as No. 1 in the United States for turnout.

The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office reports preliminary estimates for the 2018 statewide general election indicate at least 2,593,922 voters participated either in-person or by absentee ballot, representing a 63.82 percent participation rate.

That marks the highest percentage of voter participation in Minnesota for a midterm election since 2002 and the largest raw total for a midterm election in Minnesota history.

“Minnesota elections are a model for the nation,” said Secretary of State Steve Simon. “Not only do Minnesotans value civic engagement, but you have demanded from your government a voting system that makes it as easy as possible for Minnesotans to exercise their voice and power at the polls. Whether or not our participation rate this year means we will maintain our No. 1 in the nation status, I will always consider you the best voters in our great country.”

Last election

For many politicians, Tuesday was the beginning or a continuance of a career in lawmaking, but for Peterson, the date marked a last for him.

After 16 years, he did not seek re-election for the auditor/treasurer position, which will be filled by Tom West Jan. 1, 2019.

“It is bittersweet,” Peterson said Tuesday night while waiting for precinct reports. “I’ll miss working with the election staff and judges.”