By Associated Press and Austin Daily Herald

Minnesota’s pride in its voter turnout took a beating this midterm election, with only about half of eligible voters taking the trouble to show up.

Unofficial numbers from the secretary of state estimate Tuesday’s turnout at 50.31 percent, well below the projection of 55 to 60 percent. In Mower County, an estimated 11,791 out of 19,834 registered voters showed up to the polls, about 59 percent of county voters. Mower County officials say there was also sizable election-day voter registration pool.

The Mower County Auditor/Treasurer’s office is working to tally the final voter count. If those estimates prove accurate, it would show a steep decline in voter turnout compared to 2010. About 14,363 eligible voters cast votes in Mower County during the 2010 election.

Voter turnout has declined in Mower County over the past few years.

Nearly 56 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot four years ago.

The lower figure may reflect a lack of interest in top races such as governor and Senate, which were not seen as close. Six of the state’s eight U.S. House races also weren’t seen as all that competitive.

The state’s adoption of no-excuse absentee voting has been popular. The number of people voting by absentee rose from about 6 percent in 2010 to almost 10 percent this year.