Central Oregon may set primary voter turnout records with May election
BEND, Ore. -- Central Oregon voter turnout in Tuesday's primary election appeared strong, with Deschutes and Crook counties reporting nearly 45% of ballots returned as voters weighed issues ranging from county commissioner races the gas tax to funding fire departments and libraries.
It was the highest turnout in Deschutes County since 2020 and the second-highest since 2016 when turnout was 51%
"I believe by the time we're said and done and certify this election, we'll have the most ballots cast in a primary election that we ever have," Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison said.
"Last governor's primary in '22, that one we only had 40, a little over 40%. And I was looking back and our presidential in 2020, we had 45.51," Crook County Clerk Cheryl Seely said.
https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/elections/central-oregon-primary-election-voter-turnout-2026/article_01c40950-dd27-44ac-b0b0-3530b9516766.html