Resident asks county for independent review after alleging early ballot mailings

A Washington County resident asked the commissioners Feb. 18 to order an independent review after alleging the county’s elections office mailed and received ballots earlier than allowed for uniformed and overseas voters, and that large numbers of in‑state ballots were found in drop boxes before the scheduled in‑state mail date.

“Per Oregon Revised Statute 253.065 … the county clerk shall deliver a ballot no later than 45 days before the election to each military or overseas elector,” said Mary Helcioppolo during the second public comment period. Helcioppolo said she reviewed election office reports and said about 2,700 military and overseas ballots were sent on Sept. 20 and that by Oct. 1 the office reported a smaller number of returns than her review of county records showed.

Helcioppolo questioned why, she said, 2,800 ballots appeared in a county drop‑box count on Sept. 23 and why many ballots recorded that day carried in‑state addresses. She asked the board to commission an independent investigation into the mailing and receipt of those early ballots.

Bob Terry, another public commenter, urged the county to move to in‑person voting with voter identification, saying his group has proposed systems the county could adopt and offering to assist county staff.

The commissioners did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; the statements appeared in the public‑comment record and were entered for the board’s consideration.