Secretary of State: Ballots due today by 7 p.m.

DENVER, June 28, 2016 -- Here's the latest tally from county clerks of mail ballots received and in-person voting for today's primary election:

Democrats -- Ballots sent: 990,961; Ballots returned: 232,273; Percent: 23.43%

Republicans -- Ballots sent: 997,793; Ballots returned: 277,588; Percent: 27.82%

The turnout among active voters in the 2014 primary was 21.84 percent. In that contest, almost one-fifth of the ballots were turned in on Election Day. In 2012, the primary turnout was 23.76 percent. In 2010 -- a year with high-profile contested races among both Republicans and Democrats -- the turnout hit 36.7 percent.

The only contested statewide race this year is the GOP primary for U.S. Senate where five Republicans are vying for the chance to unseat Democrat Michael Bennet in November. Also on the ballot are races for seven congressional districts, three Board of Education seats, three University of Colorado regent seats, 18 of 35 Senate seats, all 65 House seats, all 22 district attorney offices and assorted county commissioner races.

Preliminary statewide and county-by-county results for the 2016 Primary Election will be available shortly after the polls close at 7 p.m. on the Election Night Reporting page of the Secretary of State’s website.

To be counted, ballots must be received by the county clerk by 7 p.m. on Election Day – postmarks don’t count. Therefore, voters should return their ballots personally to a ballot drop box or Voter Service and Polling Center, rather than by mail. Use the online voter registration system or contact your county clerk and recorder to find a convenient location to return your ballot.

Unaffiliated voters can participate in today's primary by going to a polling location and choosing to affiliate Republican or Democrat.

Today's numbers reflect ballots received by the counties, even if the ballots are waiting to be reviewed by election judges. The figures were updated at 7:48 this morning. A county-by-county analysis can be viewed by opening the attached file or going to Accountability in Colorado Elections, ACE, the innovative page of the Colorado Secretary of State website containing election and voting statistics of all kinds.

Ballots received to date 6/28/2016 (PDF)