P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Secretary of State DENNIS RICHARDSON   The State of Oregon

CONTACT: Debra Royal / Chief of Staff / 503-986-2361 / debra.royal@oregon.gov

DATE: November 2, 2018

Midterm Turnout Approaches Presidential Election Level

Salem, OR—Election Day is only four days away. Early ballot returns show that voter turnout continues to be much higher than the prior high for a midterm election and is even approaching the turnout level of the 2012 presidential election. Turnout at close of business on Thursday, November 1 stood at 881,715, which is far higher than the prior high of 702,437 at this point in the 2014 midterm election and only slightly below the 899,128 ballots cast at this point in the 2012 presidential election.

“It is fantastic that over 881,715 Oregonians have already turned in their ballots,” said Secretary of State Dennis Richardson. “I encourage all eligible voters to return your ballot to an official drop box soon. Your community needs your voice.”

You can return your ballot at a drop box until 8:00pm November 6. Find locations at oregonvotes.gov/dropbox.

The percent of total ballots returned (31.9%) is similar to the Thursday before the prior midterm elections in 2014 (32.3%), 2010 (33%), 2006 (32%), and 2002 (30%). Strong turnout, combined with population growth and increased voter registration, has resulted in significantly more votes being cast than in prior midterm elections.

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