Tillamook County elections official reports highest turnout in Oregon; county to certify by June 16

Tillamook County elections staff told the Board of Commissioners on May 21 that the county recorded the highest turnout in Oregon so far for the cycle, with 42.27% of ballots returned as of the previous night.

Christie Nysen, Tillamook County elections staff, said county offices processed 2,229 ballots the previous day, representing 10.24% of the ballots counted so far, and that staff aim to certify the election on Friday, June 13, ahead of the formal June 16 deadline.

Nysen said 65 ballots currently have challenged signatures and 42 envelopes lacked a signature; those voters were sent notices and have until June 10 to return signed voter cards or postcards that will allow county staff to match signatures and count the ballots. The county will also accept ballots postmarked by Tuesday, May 27, under existing rules; staff said they were still tallying close to 2,000 ballots through tabulators and expected updated results to appear on the county website by 5 p.m. the following day.

Commissioners and speakers thanked elections staff and volunteers for running the operation and for signature verification efforts; Commissioner comments emphasized that signature challenges are routine and part of the verification process. Nysen asked local media and online groups not to declare winners prematurely while outstanding ballots were processed for close local contests such as the Nestucca Valley School District races, which the county said could change as remaining ballots are counted.

County staff advised voters with outstanding signature issues or unsigned return envelopes to respond by June 10 so their ballots can be considered during the count.