The Tuesday May 21 Primary Election will close at 8 p.m.
Those looking to cast a vote must either drop their signed ballot in one of numerous ballot drop boxes scattered across the county or mail it, as long as it is postmarked by 8 p.m. Tuesday night. Most post offices close around 5 p.m., so if a ballot is placed in a mail slot after the listed time on the mail slot, your vote won’t be counted.
Results will start to come in after 8 p.m., but mailed ballots that arrive in the days after the election mean that the outcome of close races may not be known right away.
Washington County plans to release the first results at 8 p.m., another batch at 10 p.m. and again at midnight, followed by several more updates in the coming days as more ballots are counted.
View initial results online starting around 8 p.m.
Locally, a drop box is located at the Banks Public Library and one in front of the Forest Grove City Library on Pacific Avenue.
A number of items are on the ballot for those who are registered with one of the two major political parties in Oregon or unaffiliated or minor party voters, including a legislative primary race for House District 31, measures in Banks to fund the Banks Fire District and major projects at the Banks School District, county races, and more.
Those who have questions, lost their ballot, or have other issues, can visit the Washington County’s Elections Office, which will be open on Election Day, May 21 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. to assist voters.
More information is available at www.washingtoncountyor.gov/elections.
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.
