For those residing in Clackamas County, the special district election on May 20 is not just about choosing officials but also about the freedom to choose how to vote. The Clackamas County Elections office has ensured that multiple options are available for the citizens so that casting a vote is accessible and convenient.
According to a press release from the Clackamas County website, ballots were mailed out to all eligible voters starting April 30. This marks the beginning of the voting period, with early indications of an 8.12% voter turnout by the end of Monday, May 12. Those who haven't received their ballots yet have been advised to reach out to the elections office by May 15 to request a replacement. With options to vote in person, by mail, or through a drop site, Clerk Catherine McMullen emphasizes the ease of the process, "It is easy to vote in Oregon! When you vote and return your ballot before Election Day, you ensure that that you have a say in every election, including our important local elections."
The county provides voter service locations for assistance, whether it's to get a replacement ballot, update registration information, or if a voter needs assistance due to disability or language preference. One such location is the Happy Valley Vote Center positioned inside the Happy Valley Library, while another is the elections office located in Oregon City.
To mitigate any concerns regarding whether ballots have been received and accepted for counting, Clackamas County has a 'Track Your Ballot' service. This allows voters to keep tabs on their ballot's status through to acceptance. For those opting to mail their ballots, officials recommend using a blue USPS mailbox by Friday, May 16, to ensure timely delivery – given the postal service's push to prioritize election mail, it must be postmarked by Election Day, May 20 and received within the subsequent week.
In addition to the ease of tracking and submitting ballots, the county boasts 25 official ballot drop sites, which remain open 24/7 until the closing bell at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Nevertheless, voters should be aware that the ColtonTel ballot drop site is out of service due to construction and accordingly, they should plan a visit to any of the alternative sites listed on the county's election webpage.
Furthermore, for those interested in the transparency of the election process, observation spaces are provided at the Clackamas County Elections office. Here, citizens can witness ballot processing and other election-related activities, with no prior sign-up needed.
Residents of Clackamas County can find extensive voter information, available in English plus six additional languages, through the 'Ready. Set. Vote!' guide. This and other resources, including a complete list of ballot drop sites, 'Track Your Ballot' sign-up, and online replacement ballot request form, are accessible on the Clackamas County Elections website.
