Ballot return remains slow locally as the deadline for people to vote in Oregon’s primary election nears.  As of the end of Friday, in Hood River County 20.3% of ballots had been returned, compared to 36.7 percent two years ago.  In Wasco County the current return rate is 18.6%, as opposed to 29.8% in 2020.  Both counties are ahead of the statewide rate is of 14.7%.  Both Hood River and Wasco counties have a pair of contested County Commission seats on the ballot, and there is a race for Circuit Judge.  One factor may be the new “Postmark Rule” in Oregon, which says that any ballot postmarked by Election Day is considered on time even if it arrives at elections offices up to seven days after the election.  Drop sites for ballots remain open until 8 p.m. Tuesday.