Clackamas County voters saw a brief disruption in ballot processing due to a glitch in their mail ballot sorter, but Friday brought relief as operations returned to full swing. According to the Clackamas County's statement, a technician was quickly flown in from Phoenix to address the machine's sensor failure, which stemmed from the usual wear and tear.
While the machine was down, county election staff prepared for a more labor-intensive solution, planning to manually scan ballots, a method employed by several other Oregon counties. They verified signatures against voter registration records to maintain ballot integrity, a crucial step in the process necessitated by a machine that just wouldn't cooperate.
Looking ahead, the county is expecting new gears for its election machinery. A BlueCrest ballot sorting system with a price tag of $690,000 is on order, with its arrival slated for February 2025. The hope is that by May 2025, the new system, inclusive of software and maintenance, will be up and running, optimizing ballot processing well ahead of future elections.
Despite the hiccup, voter turnout is strong, with a 45% return rate of ballots reported by end of day on Friday, signaling a robust participation in the 2024 General Election. Hoping to facilitate this momentum, the Oregon City elections office and Happy Valley Vote Center extended their Saturday hours for voter assistance. The county also encourages public observation of its ballot processing, keeping the election transparent and above board.
For those with inquiring minds and a thirst for daily updates, Clackamas County Elections Clerk Catherine McMullen is hosting Zoom briefings at 2 p.m. Members of the media are invited to register for these calls—an effort by McMullen to keep the press and public informed. Voter guidance is further provided in the "Ready. Set. VOTE!” guide, available in several languages, outlining the detailed process of making one's vote count.
