Information for Voters

Election Calendar - 2026

Important dates for May 2026 election

9/11/25 - 3/10/26 Filing period for all candidates  (Fed, State, Local, PCPs)
4/28/26 Last day to register to vote
4/29-5/5/26 Ballots mailed out
5/19/26‍ ‍Election day (third Tuesday in May)
5/19/26, 8pm Deadline to drop ballots in designated boxes
5/19/26 Deadline for valid postmark of mailed ballots***
5/26/26 Last day for elections office to receive valid postmarked ballots by mail

***A rule finalized in the federal register on 12/24/2025 changed the way rural postmarks are counted for voting. Oregon’s primary election is May 19. Because of these changes, election officials will urge voters to mail their ballots back at least a week prior (or ask for a manual postmark at a post office) or use drop boxes.

Important dates for November 2026 election

6/3/26 - 8/25/26 Filing period for local candidates
8/18/26 Last date for elected incumbents to file as candidates
10/13/26 Last day to register to vote
10/14-20/26 Ballots mailed out
11/3/26 Election day (third Tuesday in May)
11/3/26, 8pm Deadline to drop ballots in designated boxes
11/3/26 Deadline for valid postmark of mailed ballots
11/10/26 Last day for elections office to receive valid postmarked ballots by mail

Register to vote

  • If you're at least 16 years old, you can register to vote. You'll start receiving your ballot by mail just before the first election after your 18th birthday.

  • Register online

  • Register by mail: Find voter registration cards at our county elections office, U.S. post offices, public libraries, and DMV offices.

Check or update your voter registration

  • You need to update your voter registrationwhen you move, change your name or mailing address, or want to select or change your party affiliation. Name changes should be done using the paper voter registration form so they have record of your new signature.

Getting your ballot in

If you won’t be home to vote

If you have a problem with your ballot (not received, or lost, or damaged, or whatever)

Turning in your ballot

Drop box:

Drop off your ballot by 8 pm on election day at one of these three official drop boxes in HR County. All are outside drops, available 24/7 (24 hrs/day, 7 days/week).
In Hood River: County Admin Building, 601 State Street
In Cascade Locks: City Hall, 140 Wa Na Pa Street
In Parkdale: Elementary School, 4880 Van Nuys Drive

Mail:

  • Use the no-postage-required envelope sent with your ballot. To be counted, your ballot must be postmarked by 8 pm on election day.

  • Mailing on election day: You can take it to the desk in the HR Post Office for mailing and ask them to postmark it there.

  • Mailing in a mailbox: It can now take up to 5 days for a piece of mail from Hood River County to get postmarked - so mail it one week in advance!

Other resources