Salem, Oregon – As the November 3 general election draws near, Secretary of State Tobias Read is urging Oregon voters to take advantage of the state’s network of official ballot drop boxes. Read emphasized that a drop‑box delivery offers the highest chance of a ballot arriving on time, especially for those who can get to a box before Election Day.
Drop‑box guidance and timing
“With one week until Election Day, voters need to know their options and make a plan to get their ballot in on time,” Read said. “Your vote is your power to hold government accountable. Don’t take any chances when it comes to returning your ballot – use a drop box.”
Ballots placed in an official drop box are collected by election workers and taken directly to the appropriate county elections office. To be counted, a ballot must either be deposited in a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day or be postmarked by Election Day and received within the seven‑day post‑election grace period.
Mail still an option, with a caveat
If a voter’s only option is the mail, the Secretary of State’s office advises a trip to the local post office to request a manual postmark on the ballot envelope as soon as possible. This extra step helps ensure the ballot is recognized as timely.
Early turnout looks strong
As of Tuesday morning, county elections offices have received 730,011 ballots, reflecting a 23.42 % turnout rate at this point in the race. That compares favorably with the same point in the 2022 election, when 590,526 ballots had been received (19.7 % turnout). The final turnout rate for 2022 was 66.9 %.
Read noted, “We’ve seen strong turnout across the state so far, but I’m never going to be satisfied until we get to 100 %. If you haven’t received your ballot yet, reach out to your county elections office for a replacement ballot. To every Oregonian who hasn’t cast their ballot yet: Don’t wait, make your voice heard.”
New drop boxes added statewide
To expand access, the Secretary of State’s office has installed additional official drop boxes in high‑impact locations throughout Oregon. Funding for these new boxes came from emergency funds approved by the Oregon Legislature, and the office has been working with county officials to finalize placement.
Five more boxes have been added since a progress update on Friday, bringing the total number of new boxes to 17. The locations span all 36 counties, ensuring that voters in both urban and rural areas have a convenient, secure option.
Ballot‑tracking service now statewide
Voters can also sign up for ballot tracking at OregonVotes.gov/Track. Those who register will receive a notice when their ballot is received by the county elections office. Since the service was expanded statewide for this election, voters in every Oregon county have signed up.
The Secretary of State’s office continues to stress that early participation and the use of drop boxes are the most reliable ways to ensure every vote is counted. With the election less than a week away, the message is clear: plan ahead, use a drop box, and let your voice be heard in this critical civic moment.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
