Jefferson County residents have one day left to cast their vote in the November 3, 2026 election, with official ballot drop boxes open until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Oregon votes entirely by mail, and ballots must be physically deposited in an official drop box or returned to the Elections Office by the 8 p.m. deadline — postmarks do not count.
What's on the Ballot
Voters in the City of Madras will choose between Travis Montgomery and Jennifer Townsend for mayor. Three City Council seats are also up for grabs, with six candidates in the race: Tony Chard, GW Curtiss, Tanya Murren, Maryfrances Purschwitz, Bill Robathan, and Eric Timmerman. Voters select up to three.
The Jefferson County Sheriff race pits incumbent Jason Pollock against challenger Tyler Anderson. Pollock has served as sheriff since 2022, a period that saw significant staffing changes in the department. Jefferson County commissioners have since secured budget funding to add additional officers to the roster.
The Jail Levy: What Voters Are Deciding
Among the most consequential items for county taxpayers is Measure 16-118 — a five-year local option levy renewal for jail operations and maintenance. The levy is proposed at $1.69 per $1,000 of assessed property value and, if approved, would fund jail operations from fiscal years 2027–28 through 2031–32.
Jefferson County commissioners placed the levy on the ballot in July following staff presentations on the jail's operational funding needs. The county's recently adopted $24.9 million annual budget includes several staff additions, but continued jail operations depend on levy renewal.
How and Where to Return Your Ballot
Voters who have not yet mailed their ballots are strongly encouraged to use an official drop box rather than the postal service to ensure timely delivery. Jefferson County drop box locations are listed on the county's website at jeffersoncountyor.gov.
Questions about registration or ballot status? Contact the Jefferson County Elections Office at (541) 475-4451. The elections office is located at 66 SE D Street in Madras.
Oregon law allows voters to register and cast a ballot on Election Day at their county elections office. If you missed the registration deadline, you may still be eligible to vote in person at 66 SE D Street on November 3.
Polls of any kind close at 8 p.m. sharp. Every race on tomorrow's ballot shapes local leadership for the next four years — from who runs the county jail to who sits on the Madras City Council. If your ballot is still sitting on the kitchen counter, tonight or first thing tomorrow morning is the time to get it in a drop box.