More than 78,000 Manitoba voters have cast their ballots in advance of Tuesday's provincial election, according to Elections Manitoba.

Officials told CBC News that approximately 78,600 voters voted during the advance voting period from Sept. 24 until Saturday evening.

That figure is nearly double the 42,775 votes that were cast over seven days of advance polling in the last general election in May 2007.

This time around, Elections Manitoba has added one day to the advance voting period, as well as boosted the number of polling stations.

About 300 stations were set up across the province, including in shopping malls, university campuses and the Winnipeg airport.

Those who did not vote in advance polls can cast their ballots on election day itself. Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT.

About 56.8 per cent of eligible Manitobans voted in the 2007 election.