November's Election approaches

The November 5^th General Election is rapidly approaching, and some important dates and reminders are attached to it.

On October 16, ballots were mailed to local voters. If something happens to your original ballot, October 31 is the last day the Elections Office can mail replacement ballots. If you haven’t received a ballot by then, it’s best to visit the Elections Office to ensure you get a ballot in time for the election.

You are encouraged to contact the Hood River County Elections Office at 541-386-1442 if:

you do not receive a ballot by October 23rd
you make a mistake on your ballot
your ballot is damaged or destroyed
you lose your ballot
you have any other ballot or voting issues

Completed November 5, 2024 ballot may be dropped at ballot boxes or mailed

The Hood River County Elections Office encourages voters to return ballots early whenever possible. According to County Clerk Brian Beebe about half of the received ballots come in during the last two days of an election period, which can be challenging. Postage-paid ballots can be mailed as long as they are postmarked on or before 8 pm on election day and received at the County Clerk’s office within seven calendar days.

If voters decide to mail their ballot on Election Day, elections officials recommend using a local post office to ensure it is postmarked on time. Dropping a ballot in a mailbox on Election Day does not guarantee a timely postmark, as pickup times can vary.

Official Ballot Drop Sites

Hood River County has THREE official ballot drop sites for voter convenience. You may drop ballots off by 8 pm on Election Day at one of these sites located at:

County Election Office/Administration Bldg.
601 State St.
Hood River, OR 97031
Outside drop 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

Cascade Locks City Hall
140 Wa Na Pa St.
Cascade Locks, OR 97014
Outside drop 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

Parkdale Elementary School
4880 Van Nuys Dr.
Mount Hood Parkdale, OR 97041
Outside drop 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

Remember, every vote counts! The Hood River County Elections Office is dedicated to ensuring the accuracy of elections and counting only the votes cast on time. If you have any questions or issues, contact the Hood River County Elections Office by email at elections@hoodrivercounty.gov or call 541-386-1442. Visit hoodrivercounty.gov/elections for more information.

Mail-In Ballots

Oregon has used vote-by-mail for all elections since 1998. This decision came after a decade of allowing it for local elections, which showed an increase in voter turnout. Oregon consistently ranks as a national leader in voter turnout largely due to the state’s vote-by-mail system, and more recently, the “motor voter” law that automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they obtain their driver’s license or state ID card.

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Oregon, new voters can register online at oregonvotes.gov, mail a voter registration form, or register in person at the County Elections Office. Name changes should be done by submitting an updated voter registration form to ensure a new signature record exists. October 15^th was the deadline for new voter registrations to participate in the November 5^th General Election. You may change your registration information because you’ve moved, changed your name, changed your party affiliation, or if you are in inactive status up until election day. To register to vote in Oregon, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Oregon, and at least 16 years old. A voter must be at least 18 years old to vote.