Letter to Voter - Facts to Know about Voting and Elections - Return Your Ballot - Ballot Measures and measure arguments


Letter to Voter

Dear Multnomah County Voter:

Here are a few things you should know about the November 2, 2021 Special Election:

  • This information is only for registered voters in the City of Fairview, City of Lake Oswego, Lake Oswego School District and the Tualatin Valler Fire & Rescue District (TVF&R).
  • Voted ballots MUST be received at any County elections office in Oregon or official drop site location by 8:00 PM, Tuesday, November 2, 2021 to be counted.
  • Starting at 8:00 PM on election night, preliminary election results will be posted on our website www.mcelections.org
  • If you need a replacement ballot or have any questions, you can contact our office at 503-988-3720 or www.mcelections.org.

Sincerely,

Tim Scott, Multnomah County Director of Elections

PLEASE NOTE: Multnomah County Elections prints information as submitted. We do not correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, errors or inaccurate information.


Facts to Know about Voting and Elections

Who can register to vote in Oregon?

  • You must be a United States citizen,
  • A resident of Oregon,
  • And at least 16 years old. You will get your first ballot in the mail once you are at least 18 years old.

You must register to vote at least 21 days before Election Day.

How can I register to vote?

  • Online at oregonvotes.gov/register or
  • On a paper Oregon Voter Registration Card that can be picked up at an elections office, public library, or post office..

How does vote by mail work?

All elections in Oregon are conducted by the county elections office. The elections office mails ballots directly to voters. Voters complete their ballots, and then return them to the county elections office in the mail or by putting them into an official ballot drop box.

Vote by mail in a few simple steps:

  1. Register to Vote
  2. Receive a Voter Notification Card
  3. Receive a Voters' Pamphlet
  4. Receive Your Ballot
  5. Vote Your Ballot
  6. Return Your Ballot

How do I vote my ballot?

Find the candidate or measure response (YES or NO) of your choice. Completely darken the oval to the left of your choice with blue or black ink.

*** Do not use felt tip markers.

  • Make sure you have correctly marked your choice for each contest.
  • Your official ballot may have contests printed on both sides.
  • Place the ballot in the return identification envelope. **You may use the optional secrecy sleeve.
  • Read the Voter’s Statement on the return envelope and sign in the signature box.
  • Your ballot cannot be counted if you do not sign the return envelope.
  • Every signature is checked against the registration signature on file. The signatures must match for the ballot to be counted.

If you vote for more candidates than allowed for an office or if you vote both Yes and No on a measure, it is called an overvote and your vote will not count for that contest.

If you make a mistake or change your mind while marking your ballot,

  • You may correct it yourself. 
  • Make your choice obvious so that your intent is understood and your vote is counted correctly.

If you are unable to correct your ballot, you may request a replacement ballot from the elections office.


Return Your Ballot

Official Ballot Drop Sites near City of Fairview

  • Fairview – Columbia Library (Library Book Drop) – 1520 NE Village St. Fairview
  • Gresham Library 24-hour drop box (Official Ballot Drop Box) – 385 NW Miller Ave Gresham
  • Voting Center Express – Limited Hours – Multnomah County East Building, 600 NE 8th St. Gresham – There is an Official Ballot Drop Box located inside the Voting Center Express on the first floor of the Multnomah County East Building. It is open only during voting center open hours. You will need to park and then walk inside to deposit your ballot.
  • Multnomah County Elections 24-hour drop box – 1040 SE Morrison St – Walk/bike up Official Ballot Drop Site is a slot in the building located at the corner of SE 11th Ave. and SE Morrison St.

Official Ballot Drop Sites near City of Lake Oswego and Lake Oswego School District

  • A–Boy Supply 24-hour drop box – 7365 SW Barbur Blvd. Portland
  • Multnomah County Elections 24-hour drop box – 1040 SE Morrison Street (Walk/bike up Official Ballot Drop Site is a slot in the building located at the corner of SE 11th Ave. and SE Morrison St.)
  • Lake Oswego City Hall 24-hour drop box - 380 A Ave. Lake Oswego - Official Ballot Drop Site access is in the parking lot off 4th St.
  • Lake Oswego-Westlake Park 24-hour drop box  - 14165 Bunick Dr. Lake Oswego - Official Ballot Drop Site has been moved to the lane that connects Bunick and Melrose parking lot. 

Official Ballot Drop Sites near Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue District

  • A–Boy Supply 24-hour drop box – 7365 SW Barbur Blvd. Portland
  • Multnomah County Elections 24-hour drop box – 1040 SE Morrison St – Walk/bike up Official Ballot Drop Site is a slot in the building located at the corner of SE 11th Ave. and SE Morrison St.
  • Cedar Mill Community Library 24-hour drop box - 12505 NW Cornell Rd. Ste. 13 Portland
  • West Slope Community Library 24-hour drop box - 3678 SW 78th Ave. Portland
  • Garden Home Library - 7475 SW Oleson Rd. #6, Portland - *Indoor Drop Box - Get dates/hours at https://www.wccls.org/libraries/gardenhome

For a full list of additional Official Ballot Drop Sites, visit: 

Multnomah County: www.mcelections.org
Clackamas County: www.clackamas.us/elections
Washington County: www.co.washington.or.us/AssessmentTaxation/Elections 

Return Your Ballot

Mail your ballot in the return envelope with free postage by October 26, 2021 (In State).
Drop off your ballot at a 24-hour Official Ballot Drop Site by 8 PM Election Day, November 2, 2021.
Postmarks do not count. Your ballot must be returned before 8 PM on Election Day.


Ballot Measures and measure arguments

City of Fairview

City of Lake Oswego

  • Ballot Measure 3-568 - Restricts improvements on certain Lake Oswego park properties.- Arguments in Favor- Arguments in Opposition
  • Ballot Measure 3-575 - Amends Charter; protects natural areas; allows access to nature.- Arguments in Favor- Arguments in Opposition

Lake Oswego School District

  • Ballot Measure 3-577 - Bonds for improvements, curriculum support facilities, safety upgrades, address overcrowding.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue District