Oregonians aren't rushing to vote despite an election season that may transform the state's governing system and congressional representation.
Whether the sluggish start implies fewer people will vote this year remains to be seen. Thanks to a 2021 legislation, Oregonians may send in their vote on Election Day and have it count.
36% of voters have returned ballots as of Monday morning. While the number is sure to rise by Monday's conclusion, it's uncertain whether voters will meet or surpass 2018 and 2014 turnout.
In both years, less 50% of voters submitted ballots on Election Eve. 67.8% of 2018 voters cast votes. In 2014, 69.5% voted.
Multnomah County, the state's most populous and Democratic bastion, has the longest ballot holdouts.
Early Monday, 31% of votes were returned in the county, the lowest in the state. Midmorning, it was 32.4%.
Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott emphasized last week that voters had a long ballot,
with county and municipal ballot issues crowding important campaigns for governor, Congress, and local government.
Voters may be delaying ballot submission while they determine how to vote, he said.