MEDORA (AP) - Billings County reported 514 ballots cast on Election Day for a turnout of 78.6 percent, the highest among the state's counties, the secretary of state's office says.

Neighboring Slope County was close, with 78.1 percent turnout.

In the eastern part of the state, Cass County had 67.7 percent turnout and Grand Forks County 59.5 percent. The lowest turnout was in Rolette County with 50.5 percent.

, the unofficial tally shows.

"It was a beautiful day," said Connie Kadrmas, the Billings County deputy county auditor. "This has been one of our best (turnouts) for a long time. I don't know if it was because of the presidential election or that we had a couple of (county) commissioners kind of head to head up north."

The county has almost 1.5 square miles for every one of its 825 residents. It holds the south unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, north of Medora.

Billings County has 654 eligible voters. In 2004, it reported 87 voter turnout.

"This is a small, close-knit community," Kadrmas said.