Oregon Turnout Was 41 Percent

Nearly three out of five registered voters in Oregon didn't turn in a ballot.

But of course there's always another way to look at things.

Secretary of State Kate Brown said today, the day after yesterday's election,"Oregon voters proved her wrong and easily exceeded her turnout projection."

Brown had forecast that turnout would be 37 percent. But actually, turnout was 41 percent.

“I am grateful to be proven wrong.” Brown said in a news release. “A 41 percent turnout surpasses the 38 percent turnout in the primary four years ago and puts Oregon in the top tier of states for turnout in this primary season. We can certainly do better. But this is a reminder that Oregon voters not only pay attention to the issues but, thanks in large part to vote-by-mail, make their voices heard.”

And Brown took care to note that Oregon's seemingly paltry 41 percent turnout topped other states yesterday that each had hot primaries for the U.S. Senate. The turnout in Kentucky was 33 percent; in Arkansas, 25 percent; and in Pennsylvania, 22 percent.