Ballot return for the primary election in Mid-Columbia counties remains behind 2020, but also ahead of the statewide pace. According to figures from the Oregon Secretary of State’s office Thursday morning, 16.2% of ballots have been returned in Hood River County, 14.9% in Wasco County, and 16.4% in Sherman County. Statewide, the return rate is 13%. The Wasco County Clerk’s Office says two years ago, the return rate at a similar time was 23.2%, while the Hood River County’s elections office says the 2020 rate at this point was 28.4%.