Over 160,000 Deschutes County election ballots hit the mail next week; here’s what county clerk wants you to know

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With more than 160,000 General Election ballots scheduled to be mailed to Deschutes County voters next week, County Clerk Steve Dennison is sharing important dates and information as Election Day draws near.

Register or review your voter registration

There is still time to register to vote or update your voter registration before ballots go out in the mail. The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Residents with a valid Oregon driver license, permit or ID card can register to vote online, or complete a voter registration card and return it to the County Clerk/Elections Office by the deadline. Voter registration cards are available at the Elections Office, post offices, city halls, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) throughout the county.

Already registered? Voters are encouraged to check their voter registration and make sure the information is up to date. You can review and update your information online, by emailing elections@deschutescounty.gov, or by calling the Elections Office at 541-388-6547.

Watch for Voters’ Pamphlets in the mail

Voters’ Pamphlets, which contain information about candidates and ballot measures, will be sent by mail to every household in early October. The Deschutes County's Voters’ Pamphlet is inserted in the center of the State's Voters' Pamphlet. The information is also available online at  deschutescounty.gov/elections.

Ballots mailed to voters

2024 General Election ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on Wednesday, Oct.16. Voters who have not received their ballot by Wednesday, Oct. 23, should contact the Elections Office at (541) 388-6547.

Returning voted and signed ballots

All ballot packets include a postage-paid return envelope. Once you vote your ballot and sign your ballot return envelope you can send it back in the mail. However, your ballot return envelope must be postmarked and mailed by 8 p.m. on Election Day and received by the Clerk’s Office within seven days after Election Day to be counted.

Many voters prefer to return their ballots in an official ballot drop box. There are ten official drop boxes throughout Deschutes County. Visit the Deschutes County Clerk’s website to find a drop box location near you. Ballot drop boxes open at 7 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 5.

*Don’t forget to sign your ballot return envelope*

Election Results

Unofficial election results will be available on the  Deschutes County Clerk’s website shortly after 8 p.m. on Election Day. Results are unofficial until all ballot return deadlines have passed and every valid ballot has been counted. Certification of the official election results are published 27 days after Election Day.

You can find more information about the 2024 General Election, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the County Clerk/Elections website.