Oregon`s Ballot Returns Remaining Steady

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Photo By: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Secretary of State`s office has released real time unofficial ballot returns as of 11:30 AM today, based on ballots scanned into the new Oregon Centralized Voter Registration system. In Marion County officials are predicating a turnout of only 33.3 percent. Statewide ballot returns so far: 29.3%. In Marion County elections officials are estimating a turnout of only 33 percent. Secretary of State spokeswoman Anne Martens said while primary election turnout is plunging in other states, Oregon's primary election turnout remains steady. 2006 Primary turnout: Nebraska (hot governor's race) * 35% Illinois * 25% Ohio * 24% Indiana * 22% North Carolina * 13% Texas * under 10% (9.4) Even in Minnesota, which has consistently high turnout in general elections (highest in the nation in 2004), primary elections lag at 9.6% in 2004 and 19.8% in 2002 (they haven't had their primary yet this year). All of this is to say that Oregon is doing well compared to other states Martens said.