Registered voters who want to have a say in their choice of local, state, and federal candidates and measures must vote by 8 p.m. Tuesday to have their ballot counted.
That means their ballot must be in a drop site — or the voter must be in line — by 8 p.m., or, for those mailing a ballot, it must be postmarked by election day and received by Nov. 12.
That means if you drop your ballot of in a mail slot after the post office has closed, it won’t be counted in most cases. Most post offices close around 5 p.m.
Locally, Banks has a box in the library parking lot (42461 NW Market Street) while the city of Forest Grove is host to a box in front of the Forest Grove City Library on Pacific Ave.
Voters can also drop a ballot off in person at the Washington County Elections Division (2925 NE Aloclek Drive, Suite 170, Hillsboro).
The county elections office is open until 8 p.m. to assist voters in person, by phone (503-846-5800), or by email at [email protected].
As of Tuesday at 11 a.m., 53.62% of Washington County voters had returned their ballot.
State Emergency Coordination Center activated
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) activated the State Emergency Coordination Center Monday, a move the state agency said was precautionary and not tied to any specific event.
“In July, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) achieved a significant milestone by securing approval for pre-award costs from [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] to enhance election security across the state. In coordination with the Oregon Secretary of State, local county clerks, and the Department of Homeland Security, Oregon’s most vulnerable election infrastructure was hardened to ensure the integrity of the election statewide,” the agency said in a press release.
The funding is the first of its kind under the Homeland Security Grant Program, according to FEMA.
“This accomplishment underscores Oregon’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its election process,” OEM said.
The agency will work with the Oregon Secretary of State, who oversees Oregon’s election system, and other state, tribal, and local agencies and jurisdictions, along with private sector partners and other essential service providers during the election process.
“Activating the Emergency Coordination Center enables the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to maintain a heightened state of readiness. The goal is to ensure that, if any requests for assistance arise, OEM can promptly coordinate and provide support across all levels of government during the election period,” OEM said.
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.
