Posted: April 6, 2022
April 6, 2022 (Astoria, OR) — The May 17 Primary Election will feature a number of changes for voters in Clatsop County and across Oregon, as well as an opportunity for the public to view the election process in real-time.
The election features contests for a number of positions including county commissioner state legislative and Congressional seats, and local ballot measures. Ballots are due to be mailed out to voters beginning Wed., April 27.
NEW BOUNDARIES
Election ballots will reflect the new boundaries for the county’s five commissioner districts. The boundaries were approved in January as required by the county charter following the release of population data from the 2020 U.S. Census.
Among notable changes to the boundaries: Voters in the Miles Crossing, Lewis & Clark, and Olney communities formerly in District 3 are now in District 4. The boundary between Districts 2 and 5 in Seaside has also changed.
Three commission seats are up for election: District 1 (incumbent Commissioner Mark Kujala); District 3 (incumbent Commissioner Pamela Wev and challenger Nathan Pinkstaff); and District 5 (incumbent Commissioner Lianne Thompson and challenger Steve Dillard).
Earlier this year voters should have received a postcard informing them of any changes to their commissioner district and/or voting precinct. Voters can find which district they’re located at the Commissioner District Map,
The Clerk’s Office has also redrawn and renumbered voting precincts to align with the new commissioner district boundaries.
BALLOT PROCESS LIVE-STREAM
In the spirit of transparency, the Clatsop County Clerk’s Office will provide live, online video streaming of its processing of local ballots, from the verifying of signatures through to the actual count. More information on how to watch the video feed and the schedule will be announced later.
Ballot signature verification will begin on or around Monday, May 2. The actual opening/counting of ballots will begin Friday, May 13.
BALLOT DEADLINE CHANGE
The Oregon Legislature has changed the deadline for voters to submit their mail-in ballots.
Previously all ballots, whether mailed or hand-delivered, were required to be received by their local elections offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Now, ballots that are postmarked by Election Day will be counted.
However, voters should note that a ballot dropped into a mailbox after the last pickup time stated on the mailbox on Election Day might not be postmarked until the next day, and as a result, would not be counted. To ensure that their ballots are counted, the Clerk’s Office recommends that voters mail their ballots early, or use one of the seven drop boxes located around the county:
ELECTION RESULTS
As a result of the changed ballot deadline, some ballots might not be received in time to be counted on Election Day. That means complete election results may not be available that night. Please watch our website for the results update schedule.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE - April 26th
The deadline to register to vote in the May 17 election is Tue., April 26. Voters can register online or fill out and mail in a registration card.
Go to this link for complete information on voter registration.
SECRECY SLEEVES
Voters will notice that the optional secrecy sleeve is not included with their mail-in ballot. The sleeve was eliminated with the approval of the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office and is intended to save money and staff time. The return signature envelope contains a printed security weave and protects the privacy of your ballot.