Who’s returning ballots? Early voting data reveals differences across Central Oregon

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — With Election Day just days away, new ballot-return data is offering a closer look at who’s participating in the 2026 general election across Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.

According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s unofficial figures released Friday morning, October 30, more than 83,000 ballots have been returned across the three counties.

Deschutes County leads in total ballots returned, with 67,368, representing 39.96% of registered voters. Crook County has received 9,497 ballots, or 43.55%, while Jefferson County has received 6,412, or 35.77%.

All three counties are reporting return rates above the statewide average of 34.86%, with Crook County recording the highest percentage locally.

But the numbers also reveal differences in who’s returning those ballots.

In Deschutes County, approximately 41% of returned ballots came from registered Democrats, compared with nearly 32% from registered Republicans. The remaining 27% came from nonaffiliated voters and those registered with other political parties.

The breakdown looks different in neighboring counties.

In Crook County, registered Republicans account for nearly 57% of returned ballots, compared with about 18% from registered Democrats. In Jefferson County, Republicans make up approximately 48%, while Democrats account for about 23%.

Separately, NBC News data provided by TargetSmart estimates that voters ages 65 and older account for half of Oregon’s early ballots, while women make up a slight majority of early voters.

The figures provide a snapshot of voter participation ahead of Election Day, but party registration does not indicate how individuals voted or which candidates they supported.

With several days remaining before the election, ballot-return totals are expected to continue changing as county election offices receive and process additional ballots.

Oregon voters can return their ballots to official drop boxes until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3. Ballots mailed by Election Day must be postmarked by November 3 and received within seven days to qualify for counting.

KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is taking a closer look at who’s returning ballots in Central Oregon and how voter participation differs across the region.