Still have that special election ballot laying around your desk or kitchen? You have until 8’o’clock Tuesday night to return it – either dropped off at city halls, the Lincoln County courthouse or be postmarked by the time post offices close.

And apparently there are a lot still lying around for an off-year special election to help determine the makeup of boards governing schools, fire departments, ports, a community college, and hospital districts – and money measures for the Seal Rock Fire District and Nelson Wayside Road District just east of Waldport.

A tally Thursday night by the Oregon Elections Division shows that 5,748 ballots of 39,271 sent out in Lincoln County have been returned. That’s a turnout so far of 14.6 percent – a bit higher than the statewide average of 13 percent.

In May 2021 the countywide turnout was 30 percent; in May 2019 it was 21.5 percent and in May 2017 it was 43.6 percent.

Included in that ballot envelope mailed in late April was a county voters pamphlet, which explained some of the people and issues to be decided.

So, get reading – and marking that ballot.