Yamhill County Clerk outlines election timeline and marriage solemnization changes

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners held a formal session on April 17, 2025, focusing on several key legislative updates and upcoming election preparations.

The meeting began with a discussion on two significant bills moving through the legislature: House Bill 3385 and House Bill 3386. House Bill 3385 aims to clarify the statute governing the fee schedule for public records filed with the county clerk. Meanwhile, House Bill 3386 will allow the appointment of a deputy clerk, enabling other staff members to solemnize marriages, thereby alleviating some of the workload from the county clerk.

The session also addressed the upcoming election timeline. Military ballots were mailed out on April 4, and absentee ballots became available on April 7. The county plans to send out all absentee ballots, including those for out-of-state voters, on April 21. Voter pamphlets are scheduled for mailing next week, and the last day to register to vote is April 29. Ballots will begin to be mailed on April 30, with Election Day set for May 20.

Concerns regarding potential delays in ballot delivery were raised, attributed to recent changes in the United States Postal Service's operations. However, officials noted that Yamhill County is within a 50-mile radius of Portland, which should mitigate significant delays, although a one-day delay is possible.

The county clerk shared insights on historical voter turnout trends for special district elections, noting that turnout has typically been low, with past elections seeing rates as low as 17%. The clerk expressed hope for a turnout exceeding 20% this election cycle and emphasized the importance of maintaining security protocols to ensure the integrity of the election process.

In addition to election matters, the clerk provided an update on the archiving of records, highlighting ongoing discussions with the state to ensure compliance with retention schedules. The clerk emphasized the importance of preserving records for future access while managing the associated costs.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to uphold the integrity and trust in the local election process, encouraging all registered voters in Yamhill County, which currently stands at just under 78,000, to participate in the upcoming election.