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News Release

Benton County Elections To Host Town Hall On October 8 - 09/24/26

CORVALLIS, Ore. — With the General Election approaching Nov. 3, Benton County invites the community to learn about their voting rights and best practices at a Town Hall. The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. in the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

 

People can also participate remotely with a virtual meeting option. A Zoom link will be posted on the County’s website at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

 

The Town Hall is an opportunity for community members to ask questions and talk about voting concerns with a panel of Elections staff.  Following a short presentation about election processes and timelines, the remainder of the two-hour meeting will be dedicated to Q&A.

 

Recent federal attempts to change voting practices have left voters with questions about what to expect from this election and how to ensure their vote is counted. Benton County Clerk Darla Rush and her staff have received more questions in recent weeks than they would normally get before an election.

 

“For weeks, the local and national news have been filled with conflicting information about vote-by-mail, and people are understandably concerned,” said Rush. “At the Town Hall, they can get facts about voting and be confident that their ballot will be received and counted.”

 

Benton County recommends voters take these steps:

  1. As soon as possible (no later than Oct. 13), check voter registration status and mailing address on the MyVote webpage.

  2. Use the Official Voters’ Pamphlet to research candidates and measures before ballots are mailed.

  3. When a ballot is received, don’t wait to fill it out! Complete and return it early in case questions arrive during processing.

  4. Return ballots in secure drop boxes whenever possible. If you must mail it, drop it in the mailbox 7-10 days before Election Day.

  5. To confirm your ballot was received, check the MyVote webpage or call the Benton County Elections Office at 541-766-6756.

 

General Election timeline

Sep. 21 Official Voters’ Pamphlet posted online
Oct. 5 Official Voters’ Pamphlet mailed to voters; Ballots mailed to absentee voters
Oct. 13 Deadline to register to vote in General Election or update registration
Oct. 14

Ballots mailed to in-state voters; Drop boxes open

Oct. 24 Benton County’s recommended deadline to mail ballot for return (to allow
for processing by USPS)
Oct. 27 Secretary of State’s recommended deadline to mail ballot for return (to allow
for processing by USPS)
Nov. 3 Election Day – ballots due in drop boxes or County Elections Office by 8 p.m.
Drop boxes locked at 8 p.m.

 

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Benton County Elections To Host Town Hall On October 8 - 09/24/26

CORVALLIS, Ore. — With the General Election approaching Nov. 3, Benton County invites the community to learn about their voting rights and best practices at a Town Hall. The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. in the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

 

People can also participate remotely with a virtual meeting option. A Zoom link will be posted on the County’s website at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

 

The Town Hall is an opportunity for community members to ask questions and talk about voting concerns with a panel of Elections staff.  Following a short presentation about election processes and timelines, the remainder of the two-hour meeting will be dedicated to Q&A.

 

Recent federal attempts to change voting practices have left voters with questions about what to expect from this election and how to ensure their vote is counted. Benton County Clerk Darla Rush and her staff have received more questions in recent weeks than they would normally get before an election.

 

“For weeks, the local and national news have been filled with conflicting information about vote-by-mail, and people are understandably concerned,” said Rush. “At the Town Hall, they can get facts about voting and be confident that their ballot will be received and counted.”

 

Benton County recommends voters take these steps:

  1. As soon as possible (no later than Oct. 13), check voter registration status and mailing address on the MyVote webpage.

  2. Use the Official Voters’ Pamphlet to research candidates and measures before ballots are mailed.

  3. When a ballot is received, don’t wait to fill it out! Complete and return it early in case questions arrive during processing.

  4. Return ballots in secure drop boxes whenever possible. If you must mail it, drop it in the mailbox 7-10 days before Election Day.

  5. To confirm your ballot was received, check the MyVote webpage or call the Benton County Elections Office at 541-766-6756.

 

General Election timeline

Sep. 21 Official Voters’ Pamphlet posted online
Oct. 5 Official Voters’ Pamphlet mailed to voters; Ballots mailed to absentee voters
Oct. 13 Deadline to register to vote in General Election or update registration
Oct. 14

Ballots mailed to in-state voters; Drop boxes open

Oct. 24 Benton County’s recommended deadline to mail ballot for return (to allow
for processing by USPS)
Oct. 27 Secretary of State’s recommended deadline to mail ballot for return (to allow
for processing by USPS)
Nov. 3 Election Day – ballots due in drop boxes or County Elections Office by 8 p.m.
Drop boxes locked at 8 p.m.

 

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