ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota residents have more options than ever for casting a ballot in the general election, making it more convenient for those who can’t make it to the polls Nov. 8.

For the first time, state residents can start casting absentee ballots in this year’s general election on Sept. 23 without providing an excuse for why they can’t get to a polling place, MPR News reported.

Minnesota residents will also be able to vote early beginning seven days before Election Day. They will be able to fill out ballots at elections offices and feed them into voting machines as they typically would.

Secretary of State Steve Simon said he believes the new options will change how many Minnesota residents vote and make it more convenient for those who can’t vote within Election Day’s 13-hour window.

“It helps everybody,” Simon said. “I think as more people hear about this, I can tell you more people are excited about it.”

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party chair Ken Martin said new ways to vote also have big implications for candidates.

“From a campaign perspective it really means that it’s elongated that get-out-the-vote period,” Martin said.

He said the party will use 300 staffers in 25 offices around the state to focus on a slew of close legislative contests and competitive congressional races in the 2nd, 3rd and 8th Districts.

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Keith Downey said the GOP will make similar efforts to encourage voters to go to the polls, but declined to specify how many officers or staff members would be involved.

“I personally have always thought that going to vote on Election Day is preferable,” he said, adding that voting early risks missing the opportunity to react to an 11th hour campaign development that could change the way someone might vote.

Minnesota led the nation in voter turnout in the last presidential election, with more than 76 percent of eligible voters casting ballots.