With 206,000 early votes already cast either in person or by mail, Minnesota election officials say that might indicate a strong primary turnout by Minnesota’s modest standards for attracting voters during summer primaries. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon reminds voters this is when they get to choose who will be the candidates in the general election. “This is an opportunity to shape who and what is on the menu in the general election, so I really urge Minnesotans to vote in the primary election,” Simon said at a State Capitol news conference. Simon also says federal election “monitors” will be on hand at precincts in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, making sure various voting laws are being followed. Simon and other election officials also remind voters Minnesota is an “open” primary state, meaning you can vote for either Democratic candidates on one side of the ballot or Republicans on the other side.