Requests for absentee ballots are surging ahead of Saturday’s primary election.

Honolulu Elections Administrator Glen Takahashi told KITV on Tuesday that the city saw a 24 percent increase in requests for absentee ballots this year.

About 87,000 people requested absentee ballots this year compared to 70,000 in a typical primary election.

He said all absentee ballots were mailed by Monday to voters who had requested them by Saturday.

Completed absentee ballots must be received by election day for them to be counted.

Takahashi said ballots may be returned by mail, at City Hall or at any polling place.