Douglas County Ballot Returns Reach 26.76%, Ahead of 2022 Pace

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Douglas County has received 23,923 ballots for the Nov. 3 general election, bringing voter participation to 26.76%, according to the county’s latest election update.

The return rate is 3.03 percentage points ahead of participation at the same point in the 2022 gubernatorial general election.

With Election Day approaching, the Douglas County Clerk’s Office is encouraging registered voters who have not received their ballots to contact or visit the office for assistance.

Voters can return completed ballots at any of the county’s 17 official ballot drop sites. Ten locations offer drive-up drop-off.

The county also reminded voters to sign the voter statement on their ballot return envelope. An unsigned envelope cannot be accepted for counting until the signature requirement is resolved.

Voters whose envelopes have a missing signature or a signature that does not match their registration record should follow the instructions in the notice they receive. According to the county, voters have 21 days after Election Day to resolve those signature challenges so their ballots can be counted.

The update also highlighted an increase in voter registration over the past decade. In 2016, when Oregon Motor Voter was implemented, approximately 72% of eligible Douglas County citizens age 18 and older were registered to vote. Today, the county reports that figure is approximately 97.7%.

Oregon Motor Voter expanded registration opportunities for eligible Oregon residents. The county encouraged eligible citizens to participate in the election and to address any ballot issues promptly.