As ballots start to land in mailboxes across Clackamas County, more than 127,000 voters in seven specific jurisdictions are set to make their voices heard for the November 4, 2025 special election. Ballots are being sent out today for residents of cities such as Gladstone, Happy Valley, and Portland, as well as for those living within the Sandy Fire District and boundaries of the Lake Oswego, Oregon Trail, or West Linn – Wilsonville school districts. Voters can expect to receive their ballots in 6-by-9-inch packets, easily identifiable with an "Official Election Mail" logo. This was disclosed in details provided by Clackamas County Elections.
Voters wanting that added peace of mind can sign up for "Track Your Ballot," a service that sends real-time alerts about the status of their ballot, from its initial mailing right through to when it's accepted for counting. This aims to bolster transparency and voter confidence in the electoral process. "If you forget to sign your ballot envelope, or your signature does not match, we will notify you through the system, in addition to the required mailed letter," as mentioned by Clackamas County Elections.
Ballots can be returned either by mail with a valid postmark or to any of the 22 official ballot drop sites that are open within the seven jurisdictions participating in the election. The county election officials also stress the importance of mailing ballots no later than October 31 to ensure they're counted, and past this date, they recommend using official ballot drop sites. Locations like the Clackamas County Bank in Boring and the Damascus Square in Damascus are some of the places with drive-up ballot drop access for ease of use.
To ensure that no voter is left behind, the county's election office has also made provisions for those who may not receive their ballot by October 22. Impacted voters are encouraged to contact the elections office for a replacement via email at [email protected], phone call to 503-655-8510, or by visiting the office in person in Oregon City. For individuals needing voting assistance or wishing to vote in person, two voter locations will be operational, one at the Clackamas County Elections Office and a temporary vote center inside the Happy Valley Library. These locations will be staffed by sworn election officials ready to assist with various voting matters from October 20 through Election Day on November 4.
More information on voting procedures, official ballot drop sites, and the forthcoming special election is available via the "Ready. Set. VOTE!" a voter's guide issued by the county. The guide, which aims to ensure that all eligible voters understand how to make their votes count, is published in English and six additional languages and can be accessed through the Clackamas County Elections website.
