Registered voters will soon receive their ballots for the November 4 special election.
But to receive their ballot, voters must be registered by Oct. 14, 2025.
"Residents who have moved or changed their name should review their voter registration," Washington County said in a press release.
Western Washington County voters will have two questions on their ballots. The Washington County Sheriff's Office and the county's library system are each seeking replacement levies that will increase property taxes.
Residents can register or check their current registration online (OregonVotes.gov), in person at the Washington County Elections Office (2925 NE Aloclek Dr, Hillsboro), or by mail by filling out a voter registration form.
The form is available in multiple languages.
Those who recently became citizens can register to vote, as can those who have recently turned 16. Such registered voters will not receive a ballot until an election falls on or after their 18th birthday, the county said.
Ballots will be mailed to voters starting Oct. 15. Registered voters who have not received their ballot by Oct. 22 should contact Washington County Elections by phone at 503-846-5800 or by email at Elections@washingtoncountyor.gov.
The election will be held Nov. 4. Ballot drop box sites are closed at 8 p.m.
"Voters should decide whether they will return their ballot by mail via the United States Postal Service (USPS), at an Official Ballot Drop Box, or in-person at the Elections Office," Washington County said. "Ballots mailed back must be postmarked on or before November 4. A postage stamp is not needed when returning a ballot by mail."
How to get help
Those uncertain about voting or needing assistance can contact the county's voter assistance team for help.
"Our Voter Assistance team aims to minimize barriers to participating in elections so that all Washington County voters have the opportunity to vote as privately and independently as possible," the county's elections division said.
Those who don't speak English can find translation and interpretation services, and those who need help filling out a ballot or reading a voters' pamphlet because of a disability can get help.
The county's voting assistance team can schedule visits to assisted living facilities and community centers, though the county urged those seeking appointments to hurry, as staff resources are strained as the election draws close.
What's on the ballot?
While some jurisdictions like Lake Oswego and the portions of Portland in Washington County will have more to vote on, Western Washington County voters will see just two questions on their ballot.
Measure No. 34-345 - Replacement Levy to Support Countywide Library Services
Measure 34-345, if passed, would replace a local option levy that will expire in June 2026, and increase the current amount paid by property owners in Washington County.
"If Measure 34-345 does not pass, services would be reduced," Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) said on a webpage outlining the levy details.
Currently, property owners pay 22 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to pay for the system that supports 16 member libraries across the county, including the Banks Public Library and the Forest Grove City Library. The Gales Creek Library is not a WCCLS member library.
Measure 34-345 would cost property owners 37 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value starting in July 2026. The levy would last five years.
According to WCCLS, about 45% of the organization's funding comes from the levy expiring in June.
The measure was endorsed by Banks Mayor Marsha Kirk, former Banks mayor, current Banks City Councilor and Friends of the Banks Public Library President Stephanie Jones, and former Banks mayor and current Banks City Councilor Peter Edison, according to an argument submitted in favor of the measure in the Washington County Voters' Pamphlet.
While the measure has seen widespread support, larger, urban libraries have expressed concern to the proposed changes in how funds would be disbursed, OPB reported.
Chief among the concerns of Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty is how funds are used to support nonprofit libraries like the North Plains Library, which is not part of a city government like the libraries in Banks and Forest Grove, and smaller libraries like the Banks Public Library.
The changes would benefit the Banks Public Library to the tune of an additional $256,000 annually.
Measure No. 34-346 - Replacement Local Option Levy for Countywide Public Safety Services
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is also seeking to renew and increase an expiring levy.
If passed, Measure No. 34-346 would replace a local option levy that will expire in June 2026, and increase the current amount paid by property owners in Washington County.
The current expiring levy costs property owners 47ยข per $1,000 of assessed value.
If passed, the new five-year levy would cost property owners 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
"Police, prosecution, mental health, domestic violence and other services" would be among the items funded by the replacement levy, the Washington County Sheriff's Office said on a webpage outlining the levy details.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains the Washington County Jail, the only jail in the county. It also provides law enforcement services to all of the unincorporated areas, both urban and rural, in the county. In Banks, Cornelius, Gaston, and other small cities, it serves as a local law enforcement agency under various contracts.
