Decision 2024: Deschutes County ballot returns are down at this point, compared to 2020 election

(Update: Adding video, KTVZ.COM Poll, comments by county clerk, voters)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- In less than a week, we could know who the next president of the United States will be, as well as the winners of numerous statewide and local races, along with state and local ballot measures.

It’s all in the hands of voters now — but in Deschutes County, early voting numbers are down. 

As of Wednesday, nearly 47,000 Deschutes County ballots, or about 42.5% of the nearly 166,000 sent out had been returned.

Four years ago on the same date, 50% of Deschutes County ballots had been filled out and arrived at the county clerk's office.

"People always say, ‘We’re out of control, we don't have any control over what's happening,’” said Jim Morris, who dropped off his ballot at the county drop box in Bend on Wednesday. “It's like, actually, we do.” 

Voting is a way to make your voice heard. 

"The vote matters more, I think, than most of us think,” Morris said. 

But this year, Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison says early voting is taking a back seat to 2020 figures. 

"We are behind, as far as turnout percentage,” Dennison said Tuesday. “Four years ago, on the same date, we were over 50% turnout. And that means ballots in hand. And this year we're right about 36%. Even if we just get closer to 40 %, we're still under where we were four years ago.”

Oregon has been an all vote-by-mail state for the past 20 years, meaning voters can return their ballots via mail or by dropping them off at any official drop box site across the state. 

“I still anticipate robust turnout, and I just hope that voters do turn out early,” Dennison said. 

Dennison urges voters to cast their ballots sooner rather than later. 

"That will ensure that at eight o'clock on election night, when we're releasing results, that that will represent a bigger portion of the picture,” Dennison said. “You know, the earlier ballots are cast, the earlier we can get things processed and ready for reporting at eight o'clock on election night.” 

Voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th, to get their ballots postmarked or dropped off at the clerk's office or a drop box -- and with that postmark, mail ballots will be counted if they arrive within seven days of Election Day.