October 16, 2020 4:00 a.m.

Ballots for the November General Election are headed to Douglas County voters.

Douglas County Clerk Daniel Loomis told News Radio 1240 KQEN that election officials met the ballots in Springfield and unlocked them from a secure container so they could be mailed out, on Thursday morning.

Loomis said around 1,300 additional people have been registered to vote since May of this year. The number of registered voters in the county has increased by about 17.5 percent since November of 2016, when the last Presidential General Election was held.

Most people should get their ballot in the next few days. Anyone who does not receive it by October 23rd should contact the Clerk’s Office.

Ballots must be returned by 8:00 pm. on Tuesday November 3rd. Loomis said voters have until about October 27th to safely mail their ballot. After that, voters should use one of the official drop box sites to turn their ballot in. A list of locations is posted with a link to the story at www.541radio.com: https://www.co.douglas.or.us/clerk/drop_site_locations.asp

Loomis said before turning in a ballot, voters should make sure they have completed both sides of the ballot. The ballot return envelope should be signed. Due to legislation passed in 2019, a stamp is no longer needed to mail ballots in.

While 40 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in the May Primary Election, Loomis told KQEN he expects that to double, with 80 percent participation for the General Election.