Deschutes County reminds voters: Register with a political party by April 30 to see presidential candidates on primary ballot

(Update: Adding video, comments from county clerk and Bend-La Pine Schools)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon voters wanting to cast their ballot in the May 21 primary election for a party's presidential candidates and other partisan positions will need to register with a party (or change their registration) by the April 30 deadline, officials remind.

Former President Donald Trump is the only Republican Party candidate on Oregon's ballot, as the Secretary of State's Office recently announced. President Joe Biden and Marianne Williamson are the Democratic nominees.

"if a voter is not affiliated with one of the one of the two major parties, they will receive a non-partisan ballot. There will be no partisan contests or candidates on their ballot," Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison said. "So it's important that if a voter is choosing to participate in a partisan primary portion of this election, that they update their affiliation before on or before that deadline."

For Deschutes County, one non-partisan candidate race will be on the May ballot. 

It's county commissioner Position No. 2, with former House District 54 candidate Judy Trego, business owner Rob Imhoff and Brian Huntamer challenging current county Commissioner Phil Chang.

"If none of them receives 50% plus one vote in this May primary election, the top two vote-getters will move on" to a race in the fall, Dennison said.

The Deschutes County sheriff's race won't appear on the primary ballot in May, as only two candidates filed.  That means a fall race between sheriff's Captain William Bailey, who was endorsed by previous Sheriff Shane Nelson, and current Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team Detective Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp.

One levy appearing on primary ballots is for Bend-La Pine Schools. If passed, voters will see an increase in taxes, says Communications Director Scott Maben.

"The proposed levy is seeking $1 per $1000 assessed property value. For a median home in our school district that would be about $239 a year," Maben said.

Bend-La Pine Schools say the levy would provide the district with more than $20 million to improve student learning at the 17 schools in the district.

"This is everything from natural resources and forestry to welding construction services. But there's so much more we could be doing, and we heard that loud and clear from our community," Maben said.  

Three proposed Redmond City Charter amendments will also be on the ballot. The proposed measures would limit councilors to two consecutive terms, or eight years. Another measure would increase the mayor's term from two to four years beginning in 2026. Another measure would prevent spouses or first-degree relatives from serving at the same time.

Republican U.S. Representative Lori Chavez-Deremer is seeking reelection for the Fifth Congressional district. Democratic State House Representative Emerson Levy is also seeking reelection for District 53. Both are running unopposed. 

Also up for election, this year are the positions of state attorney general, state treasurer and secretary of state.

Most ballots (except for overseas) will begin mailing out May 1st. The county clerk says they expect a higher turnout this primary election, and hope for an 80% turnout of ballot returns for the general election.