Story highlights While absentee voting is on the rise, the number of turned in ballots is lower than 2014 so far

That can change because absentee ballots can be turned in on Election Day (which is today)

Missoula, Montana (CNN) Republican candidate Greg Gianforte's alleged "body slam" of a reporter Wednesday night might have shaken up expectations for a special election for Montana's single seat in the House, but a large percentage of those expected to vote have already turned in their ballots.

As of Wednesday night, 259,558 ballots have been returned, said Derek J. Oestreicher, the Director of Elections and Voter Services in the Office of the Montana Secretary of State. That number is of 357,596 absentee ballots sent out, meaning about 73% of absentee ballots are in.

Since audio of the scuffle surfaced, Montana's Secretary of State office has been getting calls and questions asking if voters can come in and change their vote. Under Montana law, however, ballots that have mailed in and received by county election administrators are considered votes received and cannot be changed.

Missoula County election administrator Rebecca Connors says she got a dozen phone calls just this morning from voters wanting to change their vote. Had the audio with Jacobs not happened, she would have had zero, Connors told CNN.

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