BEND, OR -- Tuesday is Election Day, but a lot of voters have not turned in a ballot. "I really was anticipating a much greater turnout than where we are right now. It is lower than we would like to see," says Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison. As of Monday evening, just 26.5% of registered voters in the county had submitted a ballot for the May Primary. As of Monday afternoon, Crook County turnout was 30.4% and Jefferson County was 21.3%. All are higher than the statewide average of 19.6%. "In the back of my mind, I’m always thinking that everybody’s going to come out and vote," says Dennison, "But, clearly that’s not the case. I was hopeful, initially, if we got to 45 or 50 (percent). But we’re nowhere even close to that now. I do anticipate a very late rush."

He tells KBND News the largest group of holdouts in Deschutes County are those not registered as a Democrat or Republican. They make up more than 40% of the county’s voter rolls, "Anybody affiliated with either a minor party or not affiliated with any party at all, that is the group of voters that is lagging quite far behind. Last I checked, it was just 10% turnout for that group." 

That low turnout may be because those voters don’t get a say on partisan primaries for positions like President, Congress and the State Legislature. But there are plenty of other things they can vote on. "This is the first election that we’re able to vote for County Commissioner in a primary election, non-partisan. Every voter has the Commissioner contest on their ballot," sayd Dennison, "There are money measures; there are some really big, high-profile measures on the ballot. And, the city of Redmond has some charter amendment measures."

Ballots are due at county drop sites by 8 p.m. For voters still hoping to mail their ballot, Dennison urges you not to just drop it in the mailbox, "It might not be postmarked until the next day. If the ballot works its way to Portland and they postmark it there the day after election Day and we receive it, we’re not going to be able to count it. So, the postmark bill definitely- I think the spirit of that was to enfranchise voters and add some flexibility, but it definitely comes with some risk."

A reminder for Sunriver voters: that dropbox is temporarily closed, so make sure to allow time to drive to La Pine or Bend. 

Dennison revived the “I Voted” sticker this year, designed by a local student. After turning in your ballot, you can pick one up at any city hall in Deschutes County.