May Special Election: All you need to know as ballots arrive next week

(Update: Adding video; county clerks' comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ballots for the May 20 Special Election soon will be going out to Jefferson, Crook and Deschutes County voters, including a variety of races and measures.

Special elections historically have lower voter turnout, but county clerks are still urging residents to vote.

"These types of elections do tend to have smaller turnouts, lighter turnouts, and without anything, countywide or anything bigger to drive, participation and interest," said Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison. "I anticipate, probably a little bit later on the turnout this time around as well."

School board positions, park and recreation district spots, and fire district openings are all up for grabs, but many are running unopposed.

Jefferson County has two measures to look out for. First sent to voters in 2024, one measure would dissolve the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District, and a second would create a new Aquatic Recreation District; only one passed in the first attempt.

"It impacts the community. So, will the M.A.C. be able to continue as a recreation district or not? I mean, it's critical, I think, for our community to decide," said Jefferson County Clerk Kate Zemke.

The new district would create a new tax rate of $1.19 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Both measures need to pass together to take effect.

Ballots already went out to military and overseas voters, as well as to out-of-state voters. The voter registration deadline is next Tuesday, April 29, the day before ballots are mailed to voters.

Dennison said, "These are local boards. These district directors really make a difference in voters' day-to-day life. So I hope they participate. "