Ballot return for the primary election in Mid-Columbia counties remains slow, but also ahead of the statewide pace.  As of Tuesday, the Oregon Secretary of State’s office reports 12.7% of ballots have been returned in Hood River County, 12.3% in Wasco County, and 14.1% in Sherman County.  Statewide, the return rate is 9.8%.  The Wasco County Clerk’s Office says two years ago, the return rate at a similar time was 19.68%.