Published 8:55 am Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Democrats are likely turning in their ballots earlier than Republicans, expert says

More than half a million Oregon voters have returned their ballots as of Monday morning, about 16% of the state’s 3.1 million registered voters, according to unofficial ballot return data from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division.

Voters statewide have just a week left to cast their ballots. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is urging voters to do so at one of the more than 300 drop boxes located across the state , though voters can still return their ballots through the mail so long as it’s sent out by Tuesday, Oct. 27. Following Tuesday, Read recommends voters take their ballots to a dropbox instead of putting them in the mail, where U.S. Postal Service delays could slow ballot arrivals.

Voter turnout will play a key role in several competitive races, such as the gubernatorial race between incumbent Democratic Gov.…