Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury predicted the state's turnout would be above the record set in 2004 of 86.5 percent of registered voters.

With thousands of ballots still uncounted, the turnout stands at 83 percent.

Correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports many of those ballots are coming from new - and younger - voters.

Early reports indicate that youth voting across the country may have exceeded 2004's record levels.

But in Oregon, the state's total turnout is still not known.

Erin McDonnell is a first-time voter from Bend.

Erin McDonnell: "I guess I missed out on the other years, due to being young and not responsible. So, I'm taking my responsibility. It was fun, it was easy, I should have done it the other times."

25-year-old Tyler Brown is a first-time voter in Madras.

Tyler Brown: "It's kinda fun, it can be. I'm technically a registered Democrat and everyone I work with is a registered Republican. They are all trying to make sure I vote Republican. And one of the guys I work with, his wife works at the courthouse. If I hadn't voted, I would have heard it a bunch. At least they'll just be upset with who I voted for, not for not voting."