Initial lower voter turnout observed in Butte County; residents urged to cast votes

Source: KRCR
Author: Hannah Gutierrez

BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. -- The day is here, and voters throughout the country are headed to voting centers and drop-of boxes to cast their votes, including residents in Butte County.

Butte County Clerk-Reporter Keaton Denlay told KRCR there was a lower voter turn-out earlier Tuesday afternoon than in the last primary election of 2020.

"Turnout is lower than it has been. In our last Presidential primary we were over 58%, right now we're sitting at 26%," Denlay said at around 12:30 p.m.

He said weather could have affected voter turnout in the county, but notes Butte County is above the state average.

On Friday, additional voting assistance centers were announced in Gridley, Chico, Oroville, and Durham for residents to get help filling out their ballots.

Denlay continued that voters in Butte County are eager to participate in elections, but encourages those who haven't voted to vote while they still have time.

"There are local issues on the ballot, there's local candidates, legislators, obviously nominees for President. There's important stuff going on and people should want to have their voices heard," Denlay said.

Voters still holding onto their ballots can utilize drop-off boxes located throughout the county, or visit a voting assistance center, which will stay open Tuesday until 8 p.m.

The following is a list of the newest added voting assistance centers in Butte County:

Denlay said you can still mail in your ballot but it must be postmarked by March 5.

To track the status of your ballot, click here and type 'Where's my Ballot?' into the search bar. The website will also post the results of the election at the end of the night.