PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has cast his ballot early for this year's general election.

The Republican governor and first lady Linda Daugaard voted early Wednesday at the Hughes County Courthouse in Pierre.

Daugaard says he often votes early in elections because it's convenient to cast a ballot on a day that fits his schedule. He says that avoids problems that can occur if he's busy on Election Day.

With less than a week to go before Tuesday's election, Secretary of State Jason Gant's website reports that more than 61,000 early ballots have been turned in across the state.

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