Ballots from voters due by 8 p.m. Tuesday; final day to receive valid postmarked ballots from postal service is May 27

Fewer than 10% of registered Jackson County voters have cast their ballots for the May 20 special election to fill vacancies on the region’s special districts and to determine whether to fund two rural community fire levies.

Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker confirmed a 9.5% turnout — with 9.3%, or 15,150 ballots, accepted after signature verification — as of Thursday afternoon.

While turnout for special elections is always lower than during primary elections, Walker said the coming election had yielded an even lower-than-typical response from the county’s more than 162,000 registered voters.

“It’s a snoozer for sure this time,” Walker said Thursday.

“The average for a special election is between 22 and 23 percent. This one, I don’t even think we’re gonna make it to that. Having 9.3 percent accepted is pretty dismal.”

The upcoming special election includes a slate of special districts and boards around the region, such as fire districts and library, school and sewer boards. 

Additionally, a pair of levies are being decided by voters for the Jackson County Rural Fire Protection District 4 —  which serves the communities of Shay Cove and Trail — and the Prospect Rural Fire Protection District.

Walker said bigger money issues on an election ballot often prompt better turnout, but she cautioned voters that even the smaller issues and candidate positions “affect peoples’ bottom lines.”

“There are still important positions because these are local candidates who will be making important decisions that will affect your bottom line. If you’re in a school district — whether your kids go to school or not — or you’re in a fire district and we’re coming into fire season — these are the people who will guide those districts in terms of policy and budgets,” she said.

Walker said candidates had been more apathetic than usual, too, noting, “We have candidates who even chose not to file in the voter’s pamphlet. … and it’s the best bang for your buck you’re ever gonna get. You’re reaching 160-some thousand registered voters for a few dollars.”

Walker said the coming election will still cost the county about $200,000, whether voters participate or not due to “static costs,” such as mailing ballots to voters.

Walker encouraged voters to turn ballots in by the 8 p.m. deadline on Tuesday. The final day to receive valid postmarked ballots from the postal service is May 27.

“We could still have a push for the weekend and people do end up showing up at the last minute sometimes,” she added.

“I’m hoping we at least make it to 18 or 20 percent. … We can bring them the water, but we can’t make them drink.”

Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 458-488-2029 or buffy.pollock@rv-times.com. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal.