Voters hit the drop boxes early

Ballot drop boxes in Eugene were busy with early voters casting their vote by mail for the November election.

Coast.

Election day is less than a month away and it's shaping up to be an election unlike*any we've seen.

Because of the pandemic -- many voters are reluctant to vote*in-person and states are scrambling to adjust to a dramatic increase in*mail-in votes and absentee ballots.

Kezi 9 news reporter kate rogerson stopped by ballot drop boxes in*our area -- to see how*voters are feeling.

Front: it seems pretty simple right?

When you receive your ballot in the mail, you cast your vote.

All it takes is dropping it off in a box like this one to make sure it counts.

Drop boxes in eugene were packed on sunday -- filled with people eager to vote.

"i got my ballot yesterday and i voted today.

So i'm super excited!"

Some voters are reluctant to vote in person this year because of safety concerns -- but graham says mail in voting is a good alternative.

"no, no.

It's been very safe for us for many years.

I encourage it all over the country."

Oregon has been voting by mail for 20 years.

As states across the country adapt to the new voting process...we're seeing a record number of voters turning out.

Cnn: "at this point four years ago..

Far less people were voting early.

Just about 7 million votes, now we're up to 22 million.

So, triple the number of people have voted so far this election than the equivalent point 4 years ago."

We're also seeing a high number of absentee ballot requests-- which one expert says is due in part to the pandemic.

And while the latest early voting numbers may point to a record turn out in the november election -- many say you still need to vote.

"vote early, please people vote early."

Coming up on kezi 9 news at 6, i'll have more on why voters are so passionate to be active in this election.

Reporting in eugene, kate rogerson kezi 9 news.

I want to remind you of some important election dates to look out for in the coming weeks.

Ballots started being mailed out to voters on the 14th.

The last day to*safely return your ballot by*mail -- is on october 27th.

After that date --- you have to use an official drop site to vote in this election.

And of course november third is the general election.

All ballots are due by 8 o clock that night.

So again -- if you plan to*mail yours in -- it*must be post-