Ballot return in general election still lagging; What gives?
Retired Grocer Ken Dehart throws a thumbs up after dropping his ballot at the Wasco County Courthouse this morning, Oct. 30. Thanks for all those chips, fried chicken and Blitz at the Eastgate in the 80’s, Ken!
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 30, 2024 — Ballot returns in Wasco and Hood River counties for the Nov. 5 general election continue to lag far behind returns in the 2020 presidential election.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6,335 ballots had been returned in Wasco County and 6,154 in Hood River County - which is down 16 to 20 percent compared to 2020.
Wasco County Election’s Clerk Lisa Gambee said they have been mulling over the cause of the higher turnout in 2020, and she landed on the Pandemic.
“A lot more people were at home and super focused at that point on the election,” she said this morning.
She said that when she compared current ballot returns to those of 2016, the numbers were much closer.
At the same time, she said the pace of ballot drops is quickening, noting she had another 500 come in this morning from the US Postal Service.
“I hope it continues its steady growth and ends up at a 79 percent return like it did in 2020,” she said.
There are just 7 days left to get ballots dropped off or mailed in Oregon.
Voters have until election day, Nov. 5, to return ballots.
The County Clerk's Office in the Wasco County Courthouse at 511 Washington St., The Dalles is open 7 a.m. - 8 pm.
Ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Ballots deposited in an official drop box must be received by 8 pm on Election Day. Unofficial election results will be released at 8 pm and at final count for the evening (typically around midnight) on Nov. 5.
24-Hour Drop Box Locations
The Wasco County Courthouse
511 Washington Street, The Dalles
Available on the 5th Street entrance.
Dufur City Hall
175 NE 3rd Street
Dufur, OR 97021
Maupin Civic Center
507 Grant Avenue
Maupin, OR 97037
Mosier City Hall
208 Washington Street
Mosier, OR 97040
Simnasho - Three Warriors Market
7700 Hwy 3
Warm Springs, OR 97761
Hood River County
Mailed ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Postmarks count.
The ballot must be received at the office of the county clerk not later than 8:00 PM PST on Election Day; or
The ballot must: (i) Have a postal indicator showing that the ballot was mailed not later than the date of the election; and (ii) Be received at the office of the county clerk not later than seven calendar days after the date of the election. (HB 3291 Effective 1/1/2022)
Ballots may also be dropped off by 8:00 PM on Election Day at one of these official drop sites:
Hood River County Election Office
601 State St
Hood River, OR 97031
Outside drop 24 hours/day 7 days/week
Cascade Locks City Hall
140 Wa Na Pa St
Cascade Locks, OR 97014
Outside drop 24 hours/day 7 days/week
Parkdale Elementary School
4880 Van Nuys Dr
Mount Hood Parkdale, OR 97041
Outside drop 24 hours/day 7 days/week
