Over 160,000 Deschutes County ballots arrive in the mail next week; Here's what the county clerk wants you to know

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – With more than 160,000 general election ballots set to be mailed to Deschutes County voters next week, County Clerk Steve Dennison is sharing important dates and information as Election Day approaches.

Register or verify your voter registration

You still have time to register to vote or update your voter registration before ballots are mailed. The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, October 15th.

Residents with a valid Oregon driver's license, permit or identification card may register to vote online or complete a voter registration card and return it to the county clerk/election office by the deadline. Voter registration cards are available at election offices, post offices, town halls and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) throughout the county.

Already registered? Voters are encouraged to check their voter registration and ensure the information is current. You can check and update your information online by emailing [email protected] or calling the elections office at 541-388-6547.

Watch out for voter pamphlets in the mail

Voter pamphlets containing information about candidates and ballot measures will be mailed to each household in early October. The Deschutes County voter pamphlet is inserted in the middle of the state voter pamphlet. The information is also available online at deschutescounty.gov/elections.

Ballots are sent to voters by mail

Ballots for the 2024 general election will be mailed to all registered voters Wednesday, October 16th. Voters who have not received their ballot by Wednesday, October 23 should contact the elections office at (541) 388-6547.

Return of the cast and signed ballot papers

All ballot papers come with a stamped return envelope. Once you have cast your ballot and signed the ballot return envelope, you can return it by mail. However, in order for your ballot to be counted, your ballot return envelope must be postmarked and mailed by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and received at the clerk's office within seven days of Election Day.

Many voters prefer to return their ballots in an official ballot box. There are ten official mailboxes throughout Deschutes County. Visit the Deschutes County Clerk website to find a Dropbox location near you. Ballot boxes open at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18th and close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5th.

*Don't forget to sign your ballot 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 submission deadlines have passed and all valid ballots have been counted. Certification of the official election results will be published 27 days after Election Day.

Find more information about the 2024 general election, including answers to frequently asked county clerk/election questions website.