NEWS RELEASE: Multnomah County assists voters with disabilities and voters in their preferred language

This release may also be viewed in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian and Chinese.

Media contacts:

Tim Scott or Edward Gutiérrez, 503-988-VOTE (8683)

Denis Theriault, Multnomah County Communications, pressoffice@multco.us

Multnomah County Elections can support you in making a plan to VOTE this May!

The May 20, 2025, Special District Election is approaching!

This election includes contests for local school district boards, community college district boards, the Multnomah and Clackamas County Education Service District boards, rural fire district boards, the Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District board, water district boards, and any local ballot measures.

The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, April 29, and ballots will begin to be mailed to all registered voters the following day, Wednesday, April 30.

Register to vote online at oregonvotes.gov/register.

Multnomah County Elections stands ready to support all voters who need assistance — not only providing services in multiple languages but also offering several accommodations for people with disabilities. 

Voters who need assistance can go online, call, email or visit a Multnomah County Elections location for support in any step of the voting process. That includes registering to vote; marking or reading the ballot; updating voter registration information; or understanding election rules and steps in voting.

Voter registration deadline is Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Tuesday, April 29, marks the voter registration deadline for the May 20 Special District Election.

New Oregon voters with a valid Oregon driver’s license, driving permit, or ID can register at oregonvotes.gov/register. Voters who do not have a valid (or who have an expired) Oregon driver’s license, permit or ID must fill out a paper Oregon Voter Registration Card available at the U.S. Post Office, Multnomah County Library locations, and the Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building. 

Voters who are already registered should check whether their address and name are up to date in their voter registration record. Voters can update their information online at oregonvotes.gov/myvote or with an Oregon Voter Registration Card. 

Assistance available for voters with disabilities

Voters can always call Multnomah County Elections and request FREE voting- and election-related assistance. Elections’ Voter Assistance Teams can help voters at their home, at any facility they may live in, or at one of two Elections locations, either in close-in Southeast Portland or Gresham.

Legally, employers or union representatives cannot provide voter assistance. But voters can also ask for help from a friend, family member, or someone else they know and trust.

Independent Voting Units (IVUs) allow residents to vote privately and independently

Voters who need accommodations can also choose to use an Independent Voting Unit (IVU) that allows them to vote privately and independently.

Independent Voting Units are available at both the Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building in Portland and the Voting Center Express in Gresham. 

The unit is essentially a tablet system that allows voters to use adaptive technology to vote their ballots.

Users who prefer or need to hear their ballot read aloud can wear a headset that allows them to adjust the volume and speed of the digital reader. The tablet’s touchscreen has adjustable font sizes and three contrasting color-sets, but it can be turned off. Markings are available in English and Braille, and voters can hold either the touchscreen or a controller in their lap. That means voters can use the device while sitting down, using a mobility device, or standing, with support from an adjustable table.

After marking and reviewing their choices, voters can print their ballots, sign their ballot return envelopes, and then put the ballots into a return envelope. Voters who have questions while using the devices can use a call button to get an election worker's attention.

Independent Voting Units are available for any voter until 8 p.m. on Election Night, May 20, 2025.

Support is available in a voter’s preferred language

Voters can request assistance in their preferred language. Multnomah County Elections has multilingual staff available.

Elections can also provide an interpreter, free of charge, to any resident who needs help in a language other than English. Telephone or video interpretation is available in any language, including American Sign Language (ASL).

Absentee ballot information

Voters who will be away from home on or near Election Day should ask to have an absentee ballot mailed to their temporary address. Starting April 7, voters can also request a ballot in person at the Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building.

Voters who ask for an absentee ballot must complete an Absentee Ballot Request Application, located at multco.us/absentee alongside additional information. Voters can also email elections@multco.us or call (503) 988-VOTE (8683) for further assistance.

Track Your Ballot available in multiple languages

Multnomah County Elections’ popular Track Your Ballot service is available in multiple languages! Voters can choose to receive ballot alerts and updates in English, Spanish, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, Vietnamese or Chinese.

Text, email, or voice alerts will tell voters when their ballots are in the mail and then later when their voted ballots have been received.

Alerts also indicate whether ballots have been accepted for counting or whether further action is required by the voter. “Accepted Ballot” messages also include a virtual Oregon “I Voted” sticker ready to share on social media.

Multnomah County voters can sign up at multnomah.ballot trax.net.

Local elections are important — so ‘Let’s Make a Plan to VOTE!’

In advance of the May 20 Election Day deadline, Multnomah County Elections is urging voters: Let’s Make a Plan to VOTE! The action-focused checklist walks voters through the five steps needed to ensure their vote is counted:

• Register to VOTE.
• Get your ballot.
• VOTE your ballot.
• Return your ballot.
• Have a VOICE and make a difference.

Countdown to May 20, 2025, Election Day

• Voters’ Pamphlet mailed to all residential households: Thursday, April 24
• Gresham Voting Center Express opens: Monday, April 28
• Voter registration deadline: Tuesday, April 29
• Ballots begin to be mailed to voters: Wednesday, April 30
• All voters should have received their ballot: Thursday, May 8
• Election Day: Tuesday, May 20
• Final election results are certified to special districts: Monday, June 16

Main office:

Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building

1040 S.E. Morrison St., Portland OR 97214

Gresham location:

Open April 28-May 20, 2025

Voting Center Express at the Multnomah County East Building

600 N.E. 8th St., Gresham OR 97030

Phone: 503-988-VOTE (8683)

Email: elections@multco.us

Website: multnomahvotes.gov