A printing error in Washington County's voters' pamphlet separated U.S. Senate candidate statements by 68 pages.
The county's elections division disclosed that a printing vendor placed the county's local voting guide in the wrong spot inside the state voters' pamphlet. The mistake split the three U.S. Senate candidates across two distant sections of the booklet. The error affects only that one race, and no content was changed or omitted, according to the county notice.
Republican state Sen. David Brock Smith appears alone on page 30. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley and Progressive Pacific Green candidate Chris Henry land on the booklet's 99th page, labeled page 31, as OregonLive reported Oct. 22. Between them sit roughly 68 pages of county races and measures.
County officials said the vendor inserted the county pamphlet section into the wrong location within the state pamphlet. The county directed voters to a corrected online version of the state voters' pamphlet on the Secretary of State's website.
The timing matters. Ballots began going out Oct. 14 and must be postmarked or placed in an official drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. No postage is needed to mail a ballot, according to Your Oregon News. Ballots are not valid unless the return envelope is signed.
Washington County has 21 ballot drop sites. In Tigard, voters can use the drop box at Tigard City Hall, 13125 S.W. Hall Blvd. Tualatin voters can drop ballots at the Tualatin City Offices and Public Library, 18880 S.W. Martinazzi Ave. Voters who prefer to cast ballots in person can visit the Washington County Elections Office at 2925 N.E. Aloclek Drive in Hillsboro.
Washington County voters can also sign up for BallotTrax, a free service that sends text, email or voice alerts when a ballot is mailed, received, counted or flagged for an issue, according to county elections records.
Voters with questions about the pamphlet error can contact Washington County Elections at 503-846-5800 or the Secretary of State's Office.
