Ballot close up

Eligible Jackson County residents have one week left to make sure they are registered to vote in the Nov. 5 general election.

The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 15, according to a list of important dates and deadlines on the Jackson County Elections Office website.

Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker noted in a news release last week that people who have moved, changed their mailing address or name will need to update their registration. Ballots cannot be forwarded.

Voter registration and updates can be completed online at oregonvotes.gov. If residents wish to register in person or have questions regarding the status of their voter registration, call the elections office at 541-774-6148, or visit 1101 W. Main St., Suite 201, Medford. The elections office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m weekdays.

Voters should watch their mailboxes for Voters Pamphlets between Oct. 9-11 and watch for their mail-in ballots to be delivered starting Oct. 18.

Out of state ballots were mailed Monday, Oct. 7, and military and overseas ballots were mailed to servicemen and women Sept. 20.

Ballots must be mailed back with a postmark no later than election day. The deadline for the elections office to receive valid ballots with a Nov. 5 postmark is Tuesday, Nov. 12.

In addition to returning their ballot by mail, voters also can return their ballots at the secure dropbox located at the elections office in west Medford, and at secure drop boxes located at the Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point, Phoenix and Rogue River libraries.

Any ballots with issues flagged by elections staff must be resolved by Nov. 26, and the elections office must certify the results by Dec. 2.

RECAP: Local candidates, measures in the November general election

The Rogue Valley Times will begin its preview coverage of key Nov. 5 election races and measures later this week. Look for stories on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, mayoral races in Medford, Central Point and Phoenix, state Senate and House races, plus recaps of city council races across the Rogue Valley. All articles will appear online and then in our print editions.