Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is urging voters to stop mailing ballots after Tuesday, Oct. 27, and use drop boxes instead to avoid U.S. Postal Service delays before the Nov. 3 election.

Bethany-area residents have two nearby options: the Bethany Library at 15325 N.W. Central Drive, Suite J-8, and the Cedar Mill Community Library at 1080 N.W. Saltzman Road. Washington County has 21 official drop boxes total, all accessible around the clock. Voters can use any official drop site in the state, not just one in their home county.

Statewide, more than 500,000 voters had returned ballots as of Monday, Oct. 26, about 16% of Oregon's 3.1 million registered voters, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle, republished by the Beaverton Valley Times. Turnout is slightly outpacing previous years, particularly among Democrats, according to John Horvick, senior vice president at Portland-based DHM Research.

Democrats accounted for about 46% of ballots returned so far, with more than 236,000 cast. Republicans made up about 30%, and nonaffiliated voters and minor-party registrants submitted the remaining 24%.

That early Democratic lead may not hold. "That doesn't necessarily mean this year will be a high turnout year for Democrats," Horvick told the Oregon Capital Chronicle. He said Democrats tend to return ballots earlier and may have responded more quickly to mail-delay warnings from state leaders. The mix of returns will likely shift more Republican closer to Election Day, Horvick said.

Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, faces a rematch against state Sen. Christine Drazan, a Republican from Canby. KGW reported that recent polls show the two in a dead heat, with Drazan narrowly ahead but within the margin of error. Kotek won their first matchup in 2022 with 47% to Drazan's 43.6% in a three-way race.

Closer to home, Washington County voters will choose a new commission chair. Commissioners Pam Treece and Nafisa Fai are competing to succeed Kathryn Harrington, who resigned, according to KGW.

Ballots must arrive at a drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, or be postmarked by that date if mailed. Mailed ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 will be counted if they arrive within seven calendar days after Election Day, according to Washington County Elections.

Other drop boxes near Bethany include the Beaverton City Library on Southwest Hall Boulevard, the Beaverton Library at Murray Scholls at 11200 S.W. Murray Scholls Place, Suite 102, the Washington County Service Center East at 3700 S.W. Murray Blvd. and the West Slope Community Library at 3678 S.W. 78th Ave. Voters can track their ballot through BallotTrax, a free service available at WashCoVotes.org.

Voters who have not received a ballot can contact Washington County Elections at 503-846-5800.