May 7, 2021 3:50 a.m.

Nearly 7 percent of ballots have been returned for the Special Districts Election, as of late Thursday.

Douglas County Clerk Daniel Loomis said that is 5,620 ballots, which is slightly ahead of the participation rate for the same point in the 2019 Special Districts Election.

Loomis said staff are now utilizing a more effective color-coded tray system, to control the flow throughout ballot processing.

Ballots can still be mailed back in or voters can use an official drop box site. For a list of locations, go to: https://douglascounty-oregon.us/BusinessDirectoryII.aspx?lngBusinessCategoryID=22

Ballots are due back by 8:00 p.m. on May 18th.