Keep an eye out for the Letter Carrier this weekend, as your ballot should be coming your way.
The election is happening May 17 for any party primaries – every Congressional District is voting, and Benton County’s District 4 will have new representation as Peter DeFazio retires. Just north of here, the new Congressional District 6 will see its first election for representation.
Statewide, May’s primary vote will determine if Ron Wyden will continue to be the Democratic powerhouse for Oregon as state senator. Wyden faces two competitors for the nomination, while seven Republicans are hoping to win the right to stand against him in November.
All Oregonian voters will also decide which two candidates will face unaffiliated Betsy Johnson in November to be the next Governor of Oregon. The Democratic frontrunners are Tina Kotek and Tobias Read, although 15 Democrats are seeking the nod. On the Republican side, there are 19 candidates with frontrunners Christine Drazan, Bud Pierce, and Stan Pulliam keeping their hopes up for the general election.
Voters will also be deciding who will be the new Labor Commissioner – an unaffiliated position.
To see all of the candidates and measures facing voters in our district, go to Ballotpedia.
If your ballot doesn’t arrive by May 5, then contact your elections office, located at the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, 2nd Floor, in Corvallis, by phone at 541-766-6756 or for TTY users at 800-735-2900, or by email at elections@co.benton.or.us.
Return your ballot by dropping it off at official ballot box locations such as libraries or city halls – find a dropoff box near you at the Secretary of State website. Voters can also mail in ballots in the pre-paid postage envelope included with the ballot. The same new law which gives Oregonians postage-paid envelopes allows for ballots mailed the day of the election to now be counted.
By Marissa Roberts
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