NEWS RELEASE: The U.S. Postal Service has begun delivering ballots for the upcoming May 19, 2026 Primary Election

Multnomah County, Ore. (April 29, 2026) — The U.S. Postal Service began delivering ballots today, Wednesday, April 29, for the upcoming May 19, 2026, Primary Election. Multnomah County voters who do not receive a ballot by Thursday, May 7, 2026, should call Multnomah County Elections at 503-988-VOTE (8683).

To be counted, voted ballots must be received at any county elections office in Oregon or an Official Ballot Drop Site location by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2026, or postmarked by Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Return your ballot

Voters can return ballots to any of the County’s many, strategically located 24-hour Official Ballot Drop Sites, any 24-hour Multnomah County Library Drop Site, and either of Multnomah County’s two voter services centers, in Southeast Portland and in Gresham. Ballots can be dropped off directly until 8 p.m. May 19.

Voters can also return their ballot by mail. No stamp needed! But please be aware:

If you are considering mailing your ballot, Multnomah County Elections recommends doing so no later than Thursday, May 14, to ensure it is postmarked and received by an elections office in time to be counted.

Voters who plan to mail their ballots closer to Election Day are encouraged to request a manual postmark at their neighborhood USPS office. Check hours and locations before you go.

Whichever way you want to mail in your ballot, make a plan to ensure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day — or better yet, before — Election Day.

Reminder: Candidate contests for Multnomah County and City of Portland elected offices will not appear on the May 2026 ballot. They will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot — when County voters will join City of Portland voters in using ranked choice voting in Multnomah County.

Track your Ballot

Voters in Multnomah County can sign up for the Track Your Ballot service at multnomah.ballottrax.net to know when their ballot is on its way. Voters can choose to receive Track Your Ballot alerts and updates in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, Vietnamese or Chinese. Alerts also indicate whether the ballot has been accepted for counting or whether it requires further action by the voter. Voters can get a virtual “I Voted” sticker after they return their ballot.

Voting Center Express in Gresham is open

The Voting Center Express inside the Multnomah County East Building at 600 N.E. 8th St. in Gresham is open for the May 19, 2026, Primary Election. The Voting Center Express is near the Gresham Central Transit Center and offers free parking.

The Voting Center Express improves access to voting resources for more than 165,000 Multnomah County voters. At the Voting Center Express in downtown Gresham, voters can replace lost or damaged ballots or update their voter registration information. Voters with a disability can receive assistance. Voters who speak a language other than English can find assistance in their preferred language. Elections staff are also available to answer questions and offer other elections-related help.

The Voting Center Express is open through Election Day on Tuesday, May 19.

The Multnomah County Elections Office, inside the Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building at 1040 S.E. Morrison St. in Portland, also remains open to the public for voter services.

Normal office hours for the Voting Center Express and the Elections Office are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the days immediately before the May 19 Primary Election, both the Voting Center Express and the Elections Office will offer extended hours:

Wednesday, May 13 - Friday, May 15: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 16: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Monday, May 18: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Election Day, Tuesday, May 19: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

State and County voters’ pamphlets are available

The May 19, 2026, Primary Election includes candidate contests for federal, state and Metro offices as well as ballot measures.

Learn more about the candidates and measures on your ballot in both the Oregon State Online Voters’ Guide (PDF) and the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet (PDF).

Multnomah County Official Ballot Drop Sites to serve you

Multnomah County has over 30 Official Ballot Drop Sites available now until 8 p.m. on Election Day where you can return your ballot. Official Ballot Drop Sites include most Multnomah County Library locations. Ballots are picked up from library locations and Official Ballot Drop Boxes on a regular schedule.

Please note: The Official Ballot Drop Sites at four library locations have changed due to voter-approved library construction projects. Visit the Official Ballot Drop Box Site Location Changes webpage for more Information and new locations.