NEWS RELEASE: Replacement ballots sent for dozens of additional voters, affected by redistricting map error

May 9, 2024

Multnomah County Elections is replacing ballots for nearly 170 voters who were affected by redistricting changes to special district, County Board of Commissioners and congressional boundaries that took effect in 2022.

Half of the voters are in Southeast Portland, roughly a third are in Southwest Portland, and the remainder are in various parts of Portland and Multnomah County. Together they make up .03% of all registered voters in the County. Their ballots were based on outdated map data that predated the redistricting changes in 2022.Elections officials learned of the issue late May 7 — and immediately worked to investigate its cause, identify other potentially affected voters, and swiftly replace ballots.

New ballots for the affected voters in Southeast Portland — the first to be identified — were delivered early May 8 in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service. Replacement ballots for the voters in Southwest Portland were being delivered May 9 and 10

Only one ballot will be counted for each voter

Affected voters received  a letter with their new ballot explaining what to do if they’ve already received their original ballot and how to process their replacement ballot. Elections staff are also available to speak with anyone affected at 503-988-VOTE. 

Affected voters should return their replacement ballots by 8 p.m. on May 21, 2024, the date of the Primary Election. Ballots postmarked on May 21 or sooner will also be counted. Affected voters should consider destroying or discarding their original ballots.

If any voter has already returned their original ballot, the Elections Office will hold the first ballot and wait for the second ballot to be returned. If a voter chooses not to return their replacement ballot, then Elections will count all eligible races on their initial ballot. Every ballot envelope has a unique identifier as a security measure that allows Elections to ensure they process only one ballot for each voter. 

A review of the County’s districting and ballot procedures is underway that Chair Jessica Vega Pederson directed Chief Operating Officer Serena Cruz to complete after 9,300 voters in the Gresham-area received ballots without Measure 26-244

Ballots began reaching all registered voters in Multnomah County — 570,000 people — May 1. Voters who have not received any ballot by, today, May 9, should contact Multnomah County Elections at 503-988-VOTE. 

To find your nearest Official Ballot Drop Site, visit multco.us/dropsites.

Read more about postmarks for mailed ballots here

Reminder: This year’s primary election ballot looks different

Candidate contests for City of Portland elected offices do not appear on the May 2024 ballot.

These contests will appear on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot, which will also be the City's first use of ranked choice voting. To learn more about ranked choice voting in upcoming City of Portland elections, visit www.portland.gov/vote.

Extended evening and Saturday hours available at both voter service locations

The Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building is at 1040 S.E. Morrison St. in Portland. There is limited street parking, but this location is near TriMet bus routes 15 and 70. 

The Voting Center Express, inside the Multnomah County East Building, is at 600 N.E. 8th St. in Gresham. The Voting Center Express is a closer service location for more than 165,000 Multnomah County voters who live east of Interstate 205. Parking is free. The Voting Center Express is also located near the TriMet Gresham Central Transit Center MAX Station.

Multnomah County Elections’ normal hours at both voter service locations are 8 a.m.-5 pm. Monday through Friday.

Leading up to the May Primary Election, both the Voting Center Express and Multnomah County Elections Office will offer extended hours:

  • Wednesday, May 15 to Friday, May 17, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Monday, May 20, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Election Day, Tuesday, May 21, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Many voter services can also be completed online. If you have questions, please call 503-988-VOTE (8683).

Multnomah County Elections provides an interpreter, free of charge, to anyone who needs help voting in a language other than English. Additional voting and elections information in 18 languages is online at multco.us/VEOLang.

Track your ballot 

Voters in Multnomah County can sign up for the Track Your Ballot service at multnomah.ballottrax.net.

Multnomah County Elections’ Track Your Ballot service is available in multiple languages. Voters can receive ballot tracking alerts and updates in English, Spanish, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese, Ukrainian or Chinese. Alerts also indicate whether a ballot has been accepted for counting or whether it requires further action by the voter. Voters can receive a virtual “I Voted” sticker after they return their ballots. 

Multnomah County Official Ballot Drop Sites 

Multnomah County has 30 Official Ballot Drop Sites available now until 8 p.m. on Election Day where you can return your voted ballot. Official Ballot Drop Sites include most Multnomah County Library locations. Ballots will be picked up from library locations and all other Official Ballot Drop Sites on a regular schedule. All Multnomah County Official Ballot Drop Sites are listed at multco.us/dropsites.

Countdown to May 21 Primary Election Day

  • All voters should have received their ballot: May 9, 2024
  • Election Day: May 21, 2024
  • Final election results are certified: June 17, 2024

Main office:

Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building

1040 S.E. Morrison St., Portland, OR 97214

Gresham location:

Open April 25 to May 21, 2024

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