Politics & Government

2018 Special Election: Multnomah County's Need-To-Know

Deadlines, drop sites, and more. Here's the important stuff Multnomah County voters should know going into the Jan 23 special election.

Press Release Desk, News Partner

Posted Tue, Jan 16, 2018 at 9:48 am PT|Updated Tue, Jan 16, 2018 at 10:58 am PT

PORTLAND, OR - From Multnomah County Elections: Thursday, Jan. 18, is the last day for voters to safely mail their ballot for the Special Election Jan. 23. Ballots can be mailed with one first class stamp.

Voters are encouraged to return ballots promptly because of the possibility of inclement winter weather. Ballot envelopes must be signed and ballots received by the elections office by 8 p.m. Jan. 23. Postmarks do not count in Oregon.

All registered voters should have received their ballots. Registered voters who have not received their ballots or need a replacement should contact the elections office.

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Order Ahead Replacement Ballot Service allows voters to go online, request a replacement ballot and have it ready at “Will Call.” Voters can then pick up their replacement ballot at either the Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building at 1040 S.E. Morrison St. in Portland or the Voting Center Express inside the Multnomah County East Building at 600 N.E. Eighth St. in Gresham.

Voters can also call Multnomah County Elections (at 503-988-3720) or visit the Southeast Portland or Gresham location in-person to get assistance or a replacement ballot.

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Multnomah County Elections has opened an additional location in Gresham through Election Day Jan. 23. The Voting Center Express is located inside the Multnomah County East Building.

Voters can replace a lost ballot, get help voting, ask questions, or vote in person at the Voting Center Express in downtown Gresham. Ballots can only be accepted at the Voting Center Express during open hours.

The nearest 24-hour official ballot drop box site is in the parking lot at the Gresham Library at 385 N.W. Miller Ave.

Multnomah County Elections normal hours at both the Southeast Portland and Gresham locations are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Extended office hours for the Jan. 23 Special Election are listed below.

Multnomah County Elections extended hours at the Southeast Portland and Gresham locations:

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20
8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22
7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23 (Election Day)

Voters can sign up to track their ballot and get a virtual “I Voted” sticker. Text, email, or voice alerts tell voters when the county elections office has mailed ballots. Alerts indicate whether the ballot has been accepted for counting or whether it requires further action by the voter.

Inside the “Accepted Ballot” message voters will get access to a special Oregon “I Voted” sticker ready to share on social media. Multnomah County voters can sign up online.

Multnomah County Elections provides an interpreter, free of charge, to anyone who needs help voting in a language other than English. Additional voting and elections information in nine languages is also available online.

Voters who have not returned their ballot can drop it off in person at any of the official 24-hour drop sites located throughout the county before 8 p.m. Jan. 23. Voters can also drop off their ballot at any Multnomah County Library location during regular library hours.

Listed below and online are all the official 24-hour ballot drop sites and Multnomah County Library locations available until 8 p.m. election night.

Official 24-hour ballot drop sites:

Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building: 1040 SE Morrison St. (Box locations: east side of Southeast 11th between Southeast Morrison and Belmont and north side of Southeast Belmont between Southeast 10th and 11th)
A-Boy Supply: 7365 S.W. Barbur Blvd.
Central Library: 801 S.W. 10th Ave. Book return on backside of library on S.W. 11th Ave.
Goodwill Store: 3134 N. Lombard St.
Gresham Library: 385 N.W. Miller Ave.
McDonald’s Restaurant: 2010 N.E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. (Box location: west side of Northeast 40th Ave. between Northeast Tillamook and Hancock streets)
Midland Library: 805 S.E. 122nd Ave.
Regal Cinemas Movie Theater / M & M Car Wash: Southeast Division St. & 165th Ave., Portland - drop box located in Regal Cinemas parking lot behind M & M Car Wash
Pioneer Courthouse Square: 700-block of S.W. Broadway (next to Starbucks and across from Nordstrom - Walk Up Only Location).

Multnomah County Library locations: