As Washington County voters head to the polls today for the Special District Election, election officials have issued a last-minute call to bring in those ballots. According to a notice issued by the county, over 400,000 registered voters have until 8:00 p.m. to make their selections count on decisions ranging from school boards to fire districts.
Early turnout numbers suggest only 15% of Washington County's ballots had been returned by this morning. Voter turnout in such local elections has historically been low, averaging around 25%, leaving a significant portion of the population unrepresented. Officials are urging the community to take part and help shape immediate civic futures, reminding that in contests like these, a "handful of votes can decide who leads them."
To accommodate all eligible voters, Washington County's elections office, situated at 2925 NE Aloclek Dr, Hillsboro, will remain open until 8 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available in person, and phone interpretation for various languages is on standby. The office prioritizes accessibility, offering services for voters needing assistance in languages other than English. They're reachable online and by visiting the elections office address listed above.
For those aiming to return ballots by mail, the deadline to have them postmarked is 8:00 p.m. tonight. Stamps are not necessary when mailing via USPS. For voters preferring a physical drop, there are 21 official ballot drop boxes scattered around the county, with lists available at Washington County's website. Unofficial results will be posted online shortly after 8:00 p.m., with additional updates rolling out at later dates, the final being June 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. before the official certification deadline on June 16.
Residents are also encouraged to share the civic experience digitally after casting their votes using the new "#WashCoVotes" digital "I Voted" sticker on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
