Central Oregonian

Candidates eagerly awaiting election day outcome

Voter turnout in Crook County could exceed the 2008 election level of 86 percent

Jason Chaney

November 05, 2012

After a long election season, people across the country will find out tonight who the big winners are in a variety of local, state, and national races.

Tonight also marks the finish line for all of the candidates who have spent significant money and physical energy trying to earn our votes.

“I knew it would be a lot of work, but it was good,” said Prineville City Council candidate William (Brad) Peterson, who called his campaign exhausting. “It was a deal where I was learning a lot — a lot about what the people want and need done.”

Democrat John Huddle, who is running for Representative of Oregon’s 55th District, enjoyed the process as well, and appreciated the opportunity to talk to Crook County residents.

“I think, at the state and local levels, it has been a cordial election — and that’s always great,” he said.

As the moment of truth approaches this evening, Huddle says he is eager to see what the people decide in his race. He admits he has no idea what will happen.

“I get Republicans coming up to me, telling me that they are voting for me,” he said. “I get others that say, ‘I didn’t realize you were on the ballot.’”

Peterson approaches tonight with an air of eager anticipation as well. He hopes that Prineville citizens choose him as their City Councilor, but will graciously accept whatever they decide.

“It falls how it falls,” he remarked.

As the election comes to a close, Crook County voters have seemingly come out in force. In fact, they may exceed even their lofty standards for turnout. As of Monday, at about 9 a.m., 59.2 percent of voters had turned in their ballots.

In 2010, Crook County ended the Monday before Election Day with a 61 percent turnout. In 2008, the last presidential election, which typically yields a higher turnout, voter turnout on Monday reached 72 percent. That year, 86 percent of voters turned in ballots by the deadline.

“We typically, in Crook County, have, I think, a higher than state average for turnout, and we’re going to be even higher than we were in 2008,” said Crook County Clerk Dee Berman.

For those who have not yet turned in their ballot, Berman suggests they take them to one of several drop sites, or drop them off at the Crook County Clerk’s Office. She went on to stress that ballots will not be accepted after 8 p.m.

“8 p.m. on Election Day — but not 8:01,” Berman said. “It can’t even be 8 p.m. and 30 seconds.”

• Crook County ballot drop sites can be found at the Crook County Courthouse, the Crook County Treasurer’s Office, the Crook County Library, the Powell Butte Community Charter School, and the Post General Store. Ballots are due tonight, Nov. 6, by 8 p.m.

• Check the Central Oregonian website on Wednesday morning for election results. A full story on those results will follow in the Friday, Nov. 9 edition.