LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska secretary of state’s office says turnout in this week’s election increased slightly with the addition of early ballots.

Secretary of State John Gale says in a statement that turnout in Tuesday’s election was around 47 percent. Gale initially predicted 50 percent turnout statewide.

Gale says 63 of Nebraska’s 93 counties exceeded that turnout, and another three were statistically close. McPherson County in central Nebraska had the highest turnout, at nearly 72 percent. Thurston County in northeast Nebraska had the lowest, at about 31 percent.

The numbers aren’t considered official until the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers meets in December.