PRINEVILLE, OR -- Just like other counties and statewide, Crook County reports a lag in voter turnout so far in this election cycle.

County Clerk Cheryl Seely says returns are pacing about 5 to 7% behind that last midterm election, “We are sitting right now at a little over 30%. We’re just hoping that everybody turns everything in the last couple days and the numbers get back up and we can pass up that 67% we had in ’18 and hit 70%”.

Seely isn’t sure whether more people are just waiting to mail their ballot, “We’ve only been through one election where that postmark law was in effect. If they are mailing it on election day, I hope they’re taking it to the post office and getting it hand-cancelled and not relying on the fact that they got it in a (mail) box before a carrier picked it up.”

There are three drop box sites in Crook County.

There has been interest in the county’s live stream of their vote tabulator machine this week. “We are running the tabulator again today (Friday), and then again on Monday and Tuesday. I get a few questions on ‘what did they do there’ or ‘what’s happening here’. I think it works very well. I’m glad I can offer it and I’m glad they can sit at home or wherever and watch.”

The Livestream is posted on YouTube under Crook County Oregon Live Stream.