Douglas County Ballot Returns Reach 12.24% for November Election

Douglas County has received 10,942 ballots for the 2026 November General Election, bringing voter participation to 12.24%, according to the latest update from the Douglas County Clerk’s Office.

Returns are running 1.64 percentage points behind the participation rate at the same point in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Along with the updated figures, the clerk’s office is reminding voters to read the Voter’s Statement printed on their ballot return envelope and take care when signing it.

Signature Reminders

Only the voter may sign their ballot return envelope. Another person cannot sign on the voter’s behalf, even with a power of attorney, the clerk’s office said. A ballot cannot be counted without the voter’s verified signature on the envelope.

Voters should use their normal signature. If a middle name is not part of that signature, it does not need to be added.

Signing the return envelope also attests to the Voter’s Statement printed on it, making it important to read the statement before signing.

Returning a Ballot

The clerk’s office recommends returning ballots directly through an official Douglas County ballot drop site or the U.S. Postal Service.

Voters who ask someone else to return their ballot should be aware of the time requirement. According to the county’s guidance, that person must deliver it through an official drop site or USPS within two days of receiving it and before the applicable Election Day deadline.

Election Equipment Safeguards

The county’s update also outlined security measures used to protect its ballot tabulation equipment.

According to the clerk’s office, the equipment is air-gapped and has never been connected to the internet. It has no local network connections, connected routers, or Wi-Fi. Wireless capabilities are removed or disabled, and USB ports are locked to prevent unauthorized access.

The equipment is kept in a room with around-the-clock video surveillance, controlled access, and keycard-secured doors.

The clerk’s office also said election workers operate in multipartisan teams to support neutrality, transparency, and public confidence in the election process.