The person running elections for more than 400,000 registered voters in Washington County has a new leader: David V. Hamilton.

The county announced July 21, that Hamilton is its new Elections Division Manager, the official who oversees voter registration, ballot counting, and election administration for Bethany, Cedar Mill, Oak Hills, and every other community in the county.

He succeeds Dan Forester, who led the Elections Division for four years before moving to Tax Division Manager on Feb. 28. Forester covered both roles during the nearly four-month gap until Hamilton's hire.

Hamilton brings more than 25 years of nonpartisan elections work. He started in Washington state, where he gained experience in King County elections and in the state legislature. He later led nonpartisan elections programs for three international organizations: the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

"His experience in election administration and commitment to transparency make him an exceptional fit for this role," Assistant County Administrator Marni Kuyl said in the county's announcement.

The hire follows recent public attention to election operations in the county.

At the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, July 7, two residents testified about voter roll maintenance and requested a meeting with commissioners regarding the National Voter Registration Act. Commissioner Nafisa Fai noted at the Tuesday, June 23, meeting that the board had received an elections update at a work session and encouraged the public to watch the recorded video.

The Elections Division administers all federal, state, and local elections in Washington County. Bethany-area voters can drop ballots at the Bethany Library, 15325 NW Central Drive, or the Cedar Mill Community Library, 1080 NW Saltzman Road.

The division's office is at 2925 NE Aloclek Drive in Hillsboro and can be reached at 503-846-5800.

Residents who want to weigh in on elections or other county business can submit public comment through the county's CivicWeb portal or attend Board of Commissioners meetings, which are livestreamed on the county's YouTube channel.