Beaver State News

Oregon voters are reminded by Common Cause Oregon that it may take several days for election officials to finalize the results after the last ballots are cast. Voters have until 8 p.m. tonight to submit their ballots at an official drop site or ensure they are postmarked on Election Day if mailed.

Kate Titus, executive director of Common Cause Oregon, stated, “Oregonians won’t get all the results on election night.” She emphasized that while some races might be predictable early on, others could be too close to call until every vote is counted. Titus assured that in Oregon, every vote is counted, which requires time.

The state's "postmark rule" guarantees that all ballots postmarked by Election Day will be counted even if they arrive up to seven days later. This rule may lead to longer completion times for election results compared to previous years.

In addition, Oregon is among 38 states where election workers can begin processing ballots before Election Day. This allows for a quicker process but does not result in a final count until all votes are tallied.

Titus also addressed concerns about misinformation: “Unfortunately, some voters will be exposed to election disinformation.” She urged people not to fall for false narratives intended to undermine trust in the electoral process and reassured them of the security and accuracy of vote counting in Oregon.

Voters who have yet to cast their ballot can refer to the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet for information on candidates and measures. They should return their ballot via mail with an Election Day postmark or use an official drop site by 8 PM today. Those needing a replacement ballot can visit their county elections office and must remember to sign their ballot envelopes.

In 2020, voter turnout in Oregon was 82%, with over two million ballots cast. Similar participation levels are anticipated for this year's presidential election.

For those seeking 2024 Oregon election results, additional information is available online.