November ballot takes shape in Deschutes County as election preparations move forward

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. — The November election is beginning to take shape in Deschutes County, with local candidate filings finalized and election officials now turning their attention to ballots, voters’ pamphlets and some important upcoming dates.

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison says the county now has its slate of local candidates for November.

That includes races for county commissioner, sheriff, clerk and treasurer, along with city council and mayoral contests across the county.

“Everything as of Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. became finalized,” Dennison said. “And now we have our full slate of local candidates that will be on the ballot in November.”

Election workers are now moving into the next phase of preparations.

“The ballot content is again final locally,” Dennison said. “We’re waiting to hear from the state who those federal and state position candidates are.”

Once all of that information is in hand, Dennison says the county can begin putting together ballots for voters across its different districts and preparing the countywide voters’ pamphlet.

Two dates voters should know

For voters, the next major deadline comes October 13.

That is the voter registration deadline for people who still need to register, including new Oregon residents who have not yet registered and younger voters who may not have pre-registered.

Then comes another important date just one day later.

“October 13th is that deadline,” Dennison said. “And then the very next day, October 14th, is the day that we’re going to be mailing ballots to voters — to all voters.”

Despite broader conversations surrounding elections across the country, Dennison says Deschutes County is preparing for November under Oregon’s existing election laws and procedures.

“As of right now, like I said, it is business as usual,” Dennison said.

And he offered a simple reminder for voters heading into the fall:

“The vote by mail is still alive and well in the state of Oregon.”

For Deschutes County voters, that means watching the calendar, keeping an eye on the mailbox and getting ready to cast a ballot this November.

Watch the video above for more from Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison on what voters should know ahead of the November election.