Voter interest is always high in Brown County, where turnout percentages traditionally rank high in the state, especially during presidential years.

This year, voters are not about to be deterred by COVID-19 fears. Voters are turning in their absentee ballots at a good pace. According to the Brown County Auditor/Treasurer’s office, 57 percent of the absentee ballots sent out to voters had been returned as of Thursday. That’s 5,356 out of 9,329.

By comparison, in the 2018 election, about 11,700 Brown County voters went to the polls. The absentee votes turned in so far this year, then, are nearing half of the 2018 grand total.

Whatever various national politicians have to say about the reliability of mail-in ballots, we have every confidence in the ability of the Brown County election officials to keep things honest and to count our ballots accurately.

We will not know the final tally by Wednesday, Nov. 4. The state is allowing mail-in ballots that are postmarked as of Nov. 3 to be included, as long as it arrives at the courthouse by Nov. 10.

It will be frustrating to have to wait. Some elections, such as the First District Congressional race which was whisker close in 2018, probably won’t be called until the last ballots are in. But patience will be rewarded.