More than 20,000 mail-in and absentee ballots have been requested by voters in Schuylkill County for Tuesday’s election.

“They are out,” Albert Gricoski, elections director said Wednesday.

He was surprised at the number requested.

Gricoski said more than 11,000 of the ballots have been sent back. Workers are sorting them by precinct for counting on Election Day.

He said voters still call in requesting why they have not received their ballot. Residents can check the status of their application at the Pennsylvania Department of State website at pavoterservices.gov.

Voters may drop off their mail-in or absentee ballot at the county election office during normal business hours. Those who do not receive their ballot in the mail by Election Day may vote by provisional ballot at their precinct. There are 125 precincts in Schuylkill County. Five workers are at each location.

Gricoski said workers will start counting the mail-in and absentee ballots by 9 a.m. Election Day at the Schuylkill Transportation System in Saint Clair.

“We’re doing it in a couple different shifts,” Gricoski said of the counting.

Polls close 8 p.m. Election Day, but voters standing in line will be able to cast their vote.

“Have a great Election Day. Go out to vote,” he said.

Gricoski didn’t want to guess how long it would take to count votes Tuesday. Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the county elections office by Nov. 6.

The upcoming election was also a topic at the weekly commissioners meeting Wednesday.

“We are going to make sure that everyone’s vote is counted. We want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. said.

He urged voters to participate in democracy.

“Please go out to vote. It is so important to our country,” he said.

Considering the pandemic is still raging, Halcovage urged voters to socially distance and “mask up if they can.”

“The safety of the public and the safety of our employees is paramount. We are taking every precaution to make sure every location where a vote is taking place is safe,” Halcovage said.

He thanked poll workers for their dedication.

“They’re unsung heroes,” he said.