Add checking on absentee ballot status to things Minnesotans can do on line.

The secretary of state’s office launched the program at www.mnvotes.org, where voters can find a variety of other election-related information including whether they are registered.

The absentee voting check tells:

– Whether absentee ballot application has been received.

– If a ballot has been sent.

– When a ballot has been received.

– Whether the ballot has been rejected.

Absentee ballot problems were the main reason the 2008 U.S. Senate race was not resolved for more than a half year.

More than 150,000 Minnesotans are expected to vote absentee.