Multnomah County Voters cast ballots in May 16, 2023 Special District Election
Contacts: Tim Scott, Edward Gutiérrez, 503-988-VOTE (8683) or Jessica Morkert-Shibley 971-563-3735.
This release may be viewed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali and Ukrainian.
As of 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, voter turnout for the Special District Election reached 26.3% with 149,386 ballots accepted. That number is expected to climb as ballots continue to be processed and as ballots postmarked on Election Day arrive at the Multnomah County Elections office.
While special district elections, which occur in odd-numbered years, may not receive the same level of attention as other elections, their impact is no less significant. The May 16 election included contests for a seat on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners and local ballot measures, as well as positions on local school boards, community colleges, the Multnomah County Education Service District, and rural fire districts and water districts. The specific contests and measures on an individual voter’s ballot depend on which districts and jurisdictions they live in.
Thank you to the thousands of voters in Multnomah County who participated and made sure their voices were heard for this special district election.
Conducting an Election is a Team Effort
Multnomah County Elections conducts all local, city, county, state and federal elections for Multnomah County residents. A dedicated team of election workers assists voters and shepherds ballots from production to mailing, ensuring voters can confidently cast their ballots and return them to be counted.
It is no small feat. Below are some of the dedicated workers who help make it all happen.
Shawn Jacquiss is one of many election workers who help count ballots by weighing them. The Elections Division uses industry-grade scales that weigh paper. It’s one of many steps taken to help ensure that the ballot count is accurate, including the final tally count.
“Opening boards” are teams of four sworn election workers from different party affiliations who unfold and prepare ballots for counting. They help ensure ballots are ready to be tallied. Jackie Fowler is one such worker. She has worked on opening boards during four elections over the last two years. As a retired college teacher, she enjoys volunteering and working for causes like the 2020 Census and elections. “I love being with people who I wouldn’t normally come across. It’s thrilling. I’m not retired — I’m re-fired for life,” she said.
Heather Burmeister is the Elections Logistics Coordinator, also known as an air traffic controller for elections. She makes sure all ballot boxes are open and closed on time. Burmeister works with Multnomah County’s Bridge Shop, Transportation Department and Libraries, as well as business partners, to coordinate the placement of Official Ballot Drop Sites. This election, she’s managing seven teams of two sworn election workers — also known as runners — who pick up ballots on a regular basis and close down the ballot boxes at 8 p.m. on Election night.
“I’ve always liked good puzzles. I’ve always liked challenges. I'm a problem-solver,” says Burmeister.
Darlene Curran, Paty Vasquez Pacheco and Svetlana Kushnir work at the Voting Center Express in Gresham. The Voting Center Express opened in 2018 in the Multnomah County East Building in downtown Gresham. It’s typically open 21 days before each election and provides the same services as the Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building in Southeast Portland. As a closer choice for voters who live east of Interstate 205, the resource makes voting more accessible to diverse communities in Gresham.
“I have enjoyed being part of this team that provides services to all voters,” said Vasquez Pacheco, who leads the team at the Voting Center Express.
“I like to be here because of the Spanish-speaking communities I can help,” she said.
These are just some of the many workers who contribute their time and talents to conducting elections in Multnomah County. Learn more about the path of the ballot here.
Final official election results available no later than Monday, June 12, 2023
Final official election results will be certified and submitted to special districts no later than Monday, June 12, 2023. Ballot processing will continue today, with results regularly updated at MultnomahVotes.gov.
Main office:
Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building
1040 S.E. Morrison St., Portland, OR 97214
Gresham location:
Now closed
Voting Center Express at the Multnomah County East Building
600 N.E. 8th St., Gresham, OR 97030
Phone: 503-988-VOTE (8683)
Email: elections@multco.us
Website: MultnomahVotes.gov