Local News

Jefferson County Voter Turnout Pacing Normal

MADRAS, OR -- In Jefferson County; Commissioner, Clerk, Sheriff, and Treasurer are all on the ballot, and Madras is fielding it’s most-ever mayoral candidates.

But County Clerk Kate Zemke says these local decisions aren’t driving early voting, “I’m sure it will boost it a little bit but I don’t think that’s the real race. We have a year for the governor on the ballot and I think that motivates a lot of people to vote.”

Jefferson County voters have returned about 12% of their ballots, as of Friday. Zemke considers it a normal pace, a week before the election.

She’ll run a public test Tuesday of the ballot counting machine, “It’s just standard to notify the public. We’re going to be running a predetermined, like little election through that tally machine. And I generally notify someone from the Democrat and the Republican party that I’m going to be doing this; encouraging them to come in.” This tally machine test is run every election but Zemke says she has received more calls about it this year, “I do have a number of people who have called and want to come in and want to observe the process. I’ve really been encouraging this. I want the elector in Jefferson County to feel good about what we’re doing here and that they can trust the election process.”

Jefferson County voters are deciding on Culver, Metolius, and Madras City Council and Mayor races, as well as measures regarding psilocybin and the Madras Aquatic Center.

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