SALEM – The Oregon agency in charge of elections in the state says more than 1 million voters have cast their ballot so far, with almost a quarter-million more ballots returned than the same time-frame before the 2012 general elections.

The Oregon Secretary of State said on Friday that the turnout exceeds expectations.

Jeanne Atkins says that compared to Friday’s total of 1.05 million ballots returned, 805,862 ballots were returned on the Friday before the 2012 general election, and 810,254 ballots the Friday before the 2008 election.

The current turnout represents 41 percent of eligible voters. Atkins says voters should use drop boxes at this point, because mailing risks the ballot not arriving in time to be counted. They must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday. Postmarks do not count.