PORT TOWNSEND – Voters across Jefferson County finish deciding a ballot-full of local races and issues by tonight, although interest in the all-mail election appears to be below expectations.

Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge, who predicted a 63 percent voter turnout countywide when ballots were distributed nearly three weeks ago, said she hasn’t changed her mind even though the turnout was just shy of 40 percent as of Monday.

“I still have hope we’ll get 63 percent,” Eldridge said Monday as the voter turnout limped along at 39.09 percent.

“We’re just hoping for our voters to get their ballots in.”

To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by today or hand-delivered to the Auditor’s Office in the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, by 8 o’clock tonight.

Ballots can be placed in a dropbox behind the courthouse by 8 p.m.