Banks City Hall. Photo: Brenda Schaffer
One week remains before the election ends at 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, and for voters in Banks, the only city race with more than one candidate presents a choice between current city councilor Stephanie Jones and political newcomer Jonathon Boyer to become the next mayor of Banks.
In the waning days of the electoral season, each candidate updated the Banks Post on their campaigns.
“I feel like my campaign is going wonderfully, Boyer, 38, said in an email to the Banks Post. “I’m proud of what I’ve done, but I certainly would have liked to do more,” he said. “Regardless of the outcome of this election I’m looking forward to working closely with the city in these coming years.”
Boyer pointed to a campaign video he had created to explain his candidacy.
For Jones, 46, this campaign — her second for a city office — has been different than the last. “Campaigning in the time of covid is very different,” Jones told the Banks Post in an email. “I have signs spread around the community and participated in the League of Women Voters virtual voters guides.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever met my opponent. The City has openings on several boards so there are many ways to become involved. Attending city council meetings has never been easier, you can call or zoom from your computer and watch while eating dinner. Yet it has been months since we’ve been joined by anyone new,” Jones said.
Boyer said he’s been listening to the recordings of city council meetings lately, which can be found on the city of Banks website, usually the day after a meeting is held.
“Voting is a right we all need to take seriously, but also follow through and become an active participant in our local community. Complaining on social media doesn’t count,” Jones said.
Those who have turned in a ballot and are seeking to find out if it has been received by the county elections department should visit Oregonvotes.gov to check the status of their ballot, though it can take between 48 and 72 hours from when a ballot is dropped off at a ballot box — perhaps longer for ballots mailed — to appear in the system.
The recommended deadline to mail a completed ballot through the United States Postal Service is today, Tuesday, October 27, and all ballots mailed must be received before 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Oregon does not accept ballots that are received after that time.
After Oct. 27, ballots should be dropped off at one of the county’s 21 official ballot drop sites or delivered directly to the Washington County Elections office before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.
The Washington County Elections office is located at 2925 NE Aloclek Drive, Suite 170, Hillsboro, OR 97124-7523.
Washington County’s 21 ballot drop sites will close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, with early results announced by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office shortly after.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
