The next election in Coos County is the Oregon Presidential Primary Election. Despite the many challenges brought by COVID-19, this statewide election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. Oregon’s Vote by Mail elections allow voters to stay at home, stay safe, and vote early. Each of Coos County’s more than 46,000 eligible voters will receive a ballot the first week of May. Coos County Elections reminds voters that April 28, 2020 is the voter registration deadline for the May 19 Primary Election. Oregon voters with an Oregon Driver’s License or ID card can register to vote online at www.oregonvotes.gov/register or fill out a paper Oregon Voter Registration Card available at the US Post Office or Coos County Elections Office. April 28, 2020 is also the party choice deadline. Voters who wish to vote in the Democratic or Republican closed primary elections need to be registered as a member of that party by the deadline. Voters can update their party affiliation online at www.oregonvotes.gov/myvote. Voters – who are not affiliated with a major party – will receive a non-partisan ballot that will not include any presidential candidates but will contain non-partisan state and local offices and measures. Coos County Elections asks voters to check that their address, party affiliation, and name are up-to-date in their voter registration record. Voters can update their information online at www.oregonvotes.gov/myvote or with an Oregon Voter Registration Card. Voters who will be away from home on Election Day should request an absentee ballot to be mailed to their temporary address. Voters should visit the Coos County Elections website at www.co.coos.or.us/departments/countyclerk/elections.aspx or call the Coos County Elections Office for assistance in requesting an absentee ballot as soon as possible. Effective January 1, 2020 the postage to return a voted ballot by mail is now prepaid by the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic ballot drop sites may be limited for this election. We will have the two 24-hour accessible sites available, Coos Bay City Hall and Coos Courthouse in Coquille. There is a possibility that more may become available as this situation progresses. Available drop site locations will be posted on our website. As such, we strongly urge voters to mail their ballots and to mail them early to ensure your ballot is received by election day.
