FILE - A cyclist drops of his ballot at a Multnomah County ballot drop box in Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland, Ore., on May 15, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
The fall midterm election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Oregon voters will choose their next governor. Incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, is vying for another four-year term while challenger state Sen. Christine Drazan tries to become the state’s first Republican governor since 1987.
Nationally, attention will be on the balance of power in Congress. One race in the Pacific Northwest could tip the scales.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat, is facing Republican state Sen. John Braun to represent Southwest Washington in Congress. The contest is one of the closest and most closely watched in the country.
Below you’ll find information on how to vote in Oregon and Washington.
How does Oregon mail-in voting work?
Oregon has a decades-long history of vote-by-mail. If you’re registered to vote, a ballot arrives roughly 14 to 18 days before an election, so voters should expect them in mid-October. Fill out your ballot, sign the back of the envelope and drop it off in the mail or at an approved county drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
How do I register to vote?
Oregonians can register to vote on the Oregon secretary of state’s website. You must be at least 16 years old, a resident of the state and a U.S. citizen. Voters must be 18 years old to vote in an election. The voter registration deadline in Oregon for this election is Oct. 13.
How do I check my registration?
The Oregon secretary of state’s office oversees elections. Check your registration or change your party affiliation on the state’s website.
Where is my ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot with the secretary of state’s office. County elections offices often offer text confirmation services for free, so you can opt to receive a text or email when your ballot is on its way to you. You can also find out when your ballot has been counted.
How do I vote by mail or change my mailing address?
Head on over to the secretary of state’s website to change your address. You can do so right up to and including Election Day on Nov. 3.
How do I get a ballot and voter guide in languages other than English?
Your county elections office should provide voters’ pamphlets or portions of them in numerous languages.
How do I vote after the mail-in deadline?
You can mail your ballot on Election Day itself via the post office, but the ballot must be postmarked on that day, so make plans to ensure that’s possible. The state of Oregon has strongly encouraged voters to submit their ballots to approved drop boxes as soon as they are ready and able to vote to ensure their votes are counted.
Where is my closest ballot drop box?
Again, the secretary of state’s office is a good place to find accurate, up-to-date information. Ballot drop boxes can change location, and the state approved money for additional drop boxes this year as the Trump administration threatened to curb vote-by-mail. Check the secretary of state’s website or with your county elections office to find the latest ballot drop box locations. The secretary of state’s office will launch its drop box locator Oct. 14.
I live in Southwest Washington. What do I need to know?
Vote-by-mail is the way in Washington as well. Head to the Washington secretary of state’s website to register to vote, update your registration or find more information about drop boxes or other important resources. The online and mail voter registration deadline is Oct. 26 and the in-person registration deadline is Nov. 3.
