PORTLAND, Ore — Election Day is less than a week away. Voters must return their ballots by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. The last day to safely return ballots by mail was Tuesday, Oct. 27. However, it is not too late to vote. Voters should drop their ballots off at an official ballot drop box.
KGW viewer Michael Orazio brought up the topic of official ballot drop-boxes at libraries. so KGW set out to VERIFY: Can you drop off your ballot at any library book drop?
Our source Andrea Chiapella, who works as the media contact for the Oregon Secretary of State Office, says:
“No, please visit our website to find the nearest official drop-box locations: All official drop boxes are clearly marked, viewers should be aware of that and not drop ballots into things like library book returns.”
However, some counties, including Multnomah County, have designated their book drops as official ballot drop sites this year.
Any voter in Oregon can drop off their ballot in any Multnomah County Library book drop. Tim Scott, Director of Multnomah County Elections adds, “All library book drops in Multnomah County are designated as Official Ballot Drop Sites.”
The Oregon LIbarary Association adds:
"While many Oregon libraries do serve as drop sites, it is not necessarily standard practice across the state. Each county determines the location of ballot drop boxes and uses criteria provided by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Election Office to locate them."
KGW can VERIFY: Some, but not all, library book drops have been designated as official drop boxes in Oregon.
Check with your local county elections office for questions about your specific library and if it's a designated drop off thing
Do you have something you want us to Verify? Let us know. Email us at Verify@kgw.com