MARSHALL — A growing number of Lyon County cities and townships have started voting by mail — but the number is spiking for this year’s elections, county officials said.

An additional 10 voting precincts in Lyon County have opted to vote by mail only. The cities of Balaton and Lynd, and Clifton, Island Lake, Lynd, Lyons, Monroe, Nordland, Rock Lake and Westerheim townships will all receive mail-in ballots for the August primary and November general elections.

“Eligible precincts had to decide by May 11 whether to convert to mail ballots,” said Lyon County Auditor/Treasurer E.J. Moberg.

Now, a total of 26 out of Lyon County’s 33 voting precincts will be using mail-in ballots, Moberg said. The remaining precincts with in-person voting will be in the cities of Cottonwood, Marshall, Minneota, Russell and Tracy.

The absentee voting period for the statewide Aug. 11 primary election begins June 26, and ballots for mail-in precincts will be sent out to registered voters starting on July 9, Moberg said. Mail-in ballots for the November general election will be sent out starting Oct. 1. Ballots can be returned by mail, or in person to the Lyon County Auditor’s Office, at the Lyon County Government Center in Marshall.

Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted, Moberg said. The Auditor’s Office will have extended hours the Saturday and Monday before elections for mail ballot voting.

The Auditor’s Office will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 8 and from 8-5 on Aug. 10 for the statewide primary. For the general election, the Auditor’s Office will be open from 10-3 on Oct. 31, and from 8-5 on Nov. 2.