November 3, 2016 - As of today vote-by-mail returns stand at 384,675 - that is 8.6% ahead of the same period in 2012. How do the returns compare by party? In 2012, the final vote-by-mail ballot returns were made up of 284,647 Republicans, 186,462 Democrat, and 112,438 No Party Preference. As of today the party breakdown by parties is 169,520 Republican, 137,325 Democrat and 74,978 No Party Preference.  In 2012 Republicans returned vote-by-mail ballots at an increased rate of 52.6% over Democrats. As of today Republicans have returned ballots at an increased rate of 23.4% over Democrats.