Low Ballot Returns in Oregon Primary Election: What You Need to Know

The primary election in Oregon is just around the corner, but ballot returns are lagging behind compared to previous years, according to a report from the Secretary of State’s Office. As of Friday morning, only 14.1% of ballots had been cast, with 425,088 out of 3,017,724 registered voters participating. This marks a significant 59% decrease from the number of returned ballots at the same point in the 2022 primary election.

In Marion County, only 12.4% of voters have returned their ballots, with 27,608 out of 222,811 ballots received. Similarly, in Polk County, only 15% of registered voters have returned their ballots, a 40.9% decrease from the previous election cycle. Lane County reported 12.6% of ballots returned, with 34,565 out of 273,990 registered voters participating.

The Secretary of State’s Office recently addressed concerns about some ballots being held by post offices due to confusion surrounding an Oregon law that requires the state to pay for return postage on ballot envelopes. The issue has since been resolved, with the Secretary of State’s Office working closely with county clerks and USPS representatives to ensure a smooth process for handling ballots.

Despite these challenges, the Secretary of State’s Office remains confident in Oregon’s vote-by-mail system and assures voters that their ballots will be counted by the deadline on Tuesday, May 21. Voters can return their ballots by mail with a postmark dated on or before 8 p.m. on May 21, or drop them off at official drop boxes or county elections offices.

House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich has called for further clarification from the Secretary of State’s Office on the issue, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust in the election system. As the deadline approaches, Oregonians are encouraged to ensure their voices are heard by participating in the primary election.