If you live in Multnomah County and your mailbox is still ballot-free for the May 19, 2026 primary, it is officially time to speak up. County elections officials say every registered voter should have their ballot packet in hand by Thursday, May 7. If yours is a no-show, do not wait around hoping it magically appears. Call the elections office at 503-988-VOTE (8683) as soon as possible to report a missing ballot or arrange a replacement. A missing envelope does not mean you are out of the election - there are replacement and pickup options that can still get your vote counted before the deadline.
What To Do If Your Ballot Didn’t Arrive
According to Multnomah County, voters can order a replacement ballot online through the county’s Order Ahead Replacement Ballot Service, or request one for in-person pickup at will-call windows at the Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building (1040 S.E. Morrison St.) or at the Voting Center Express in Gresham (600 N.E. 8th St.). The county notes it provides more than 30 official ballot drop boxes, many at library locations, and recommends mailing ballots no later than Thursday, May 14 to help ensure a USPS postmark and timely receipt. The county also announced extended voter assistance hours the week before the primary.
Track Your Ballot
If you want proof your ballot is actually moving through the system, you can sign up for ballot-tracking services. These systems send texts, emails, or voice alerts when your ballot is mailed and again when your returned ballot is accepted for counting. It is a built-in status update and a virtual "I Voted" sticker once it is marked accepted. Sign up at BallotTrax to get texts, emails, or voice alerts.
Deadlines And Mail Tips
The Oregon Secretary of State reminds voters that mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, May 19, and counties will accept mailed ballots that arrive within seven days if they have an on-time postmark. To avoid postal delays, the statewide toolkit urges voters to mail their ballot at least one week before Election Day or to request a manual postmark at a post office if mailing late. If you are worried about timing, the state says dropping your ballot in an official box before 8 p.m. on May 19 is the safest option.
Drop Boxes And Pickup Options
If you do not feel like gambling on the mail, you can return your ballot to one of the county’s official drop boxes. Multnomah’s list includes more than 30 sites, many of them 24-hour library locations and a drive-up slot at the elections building. Drop boxes are picked up on a regular schedule and stay open until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find maps and hours on the county’s Official Ballot Drop Sites page or through the state’s statewide drop-box locator. If you need a replacement ballot in person, will-call windows at the elections office and the Voting Center Express will be open during extended hours the weekend before the primary.
Quick checklist: call 503-988-VOTE, sign up for ballot-tracking alerts, use an official drop box, or pick up a replacement in person. Just make sure your ballot is postmarked or dropped by 8 p.m. on May 19 so elections officials can count it.
