By noon, the voter turnout was almost 50 percent.

Most San Juan Island ballots have been received, the county elections office reported at 12:30 p.m. Ballots were expected to be received from Orcas Island later this afternoon, and from Lopez Island on Wednesday.

All told, 5,537 have been received of 11,535 mailed out countywide.

Ballots must be deposited at the elections office or in an elections drop box by 8 p.m. today. Ballots being mailed in must be postmarked today, but keep in mind that post offices close at 3 p.m.

Ballot drop boxes are located at the Lopez Island Fire Station, Orcas Senior Center, and in front of the county courthouse on Second Street in Friday Harbor.

Islandssounder.com will post election results after the polls close tonight.