Oregon’s primary Election Day—May 19—is just eight days away. If you still need to vote, here’s a refresher on when and how to do it.
All Multnomah County voters should have received their ballots by now—so if you don’t have a ballot, but believe you are correctly registered, you should call the county elections office at 503-988-8683.
If you plan to mail your ballot, keep in mind that this Thursday, May 14, is the last day to safely ensure it will reach the elections office by Election Day. You don’t need a stamp to mail your ballot, thanks to a new law passed by the Oregon Legislature last year.
If you still haven’t voted after May 14, your best bet is to use a ballot drop box. Some outdoor boxes are closed this year because of COVID-19, but you can find an up-to-date list of drop sits here. You have until 8 pm on May 19 to drop off your ballot.
Not sure who to vote for this year? The Mercury has made endorsements for most major races—here’s our handy ballot cheat sheet, and here are links to endorsements broken down by position:
Portland City Council and Mayor
Local Ballot Measures
Metro Council
Multnomah County District Attorney
Oregon Legislature and Secretary of State
US Representatives and President
There are some races where we weren’t able to make endorsements, including judges’ races and local elections in Clackamas and Washington counties—so before voting, read up on the candidates’ qualifications and political views in your voters’ guide. If you’ve misplaced your copy, you can find a guide for statewide races here. And here are guides for local races in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties.
While many primary elections across the country have been postponed due to COVID-19, Oregonians are in the fortunate position of being able to vote by mail (or drop box). Take advantage of that fact by staying home, staying safe, and voting.