The March 13 special election is a week away and, as of Monday, about 23 percent of ballots had been received by the Benton County elections office.

Philomath voters are voting on Measure 02-76, which would overturn a May 2011 decision by the Philomath City Council to discontinue adding fluoride to the city’s municipal water supply.

As of Monday, 580 of the 2,485 ballots that were mailed out this past weekend had been returned. Jill Van Buren, Benton County elections supervisor, said that more ballots could be turned in closer to election day.

“It’s not unusual to see 50 to 60 percent voters turn in their ballots the last two days of the election,” Van Buren said. “So there could be a lot coming in Monday and Tuesday next week.”

Voters have until 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, to return their ballots. They can be dropped off at the Benton County Courthouse, 120 N.W. 4th St. and the Philomath Public Library, 1050 Applegate St.

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