Ballot returns reach 38.49 percent in Jefferson County

The Jefferson County Auditor’s Office has received 8,197 ballots as of Thursday, a 38.49 percent voter return on the 21,295 ballots mailed out for the Nov. 8 general election.

County Auditor Donna Eldridge said 60 ballots have been received without signatures or with signatures that do not match voter registration. Those ballots will have to be verified, she said.

Since Monday, the elections division of Eldridge’s office has received 3,000 ballots, which means the return pace has stepped up and could still meet her voter turnout estimate of 63 percent.

Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday or be turned in at the courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, by 8 p.m. that day.