Jefferson County voters cast ballots Tuesday in a wide-ranging election that decided the county sheriff, Madras mayor, city council seats, and a critical jail operations levy. While results remain unofficial and subject to change as remaining ballots are counted, early returns painted a clear picture across most races.

Pollock Wins in a Landslide

Incumbent Jefferson County Sheriff Jason Pollock is heading for a decisive re-election victory over former sheriff's deputy Tyler Anderson. Early returns showed Pollock leading 70.5% to 28.9% — a margin that suggests a commanding second term.

Anderson had campaigned on themes of budget transparency and increased deputy presence in rural communities. However, his candidacy faced significant headwinds: the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training ruled in July that Anderson had been dishonest and misused his authority as a deputy, recommending his law enforcement certifications be stripped. Anderson is appealing that decision and has also appeared on a list of untrustworthy court witnesses in two Central Oregon counties.

Pollock, who has prioritized new hires and jail modernization during his tenure, will continue to lead the department into another term — bolstered by the levy renewal below.

Jail Levy Renewal Passes

The Jefferson County Jail Operations and Maintenance Levy renewal — Measure 16-118 — was passing with approximately 57.2% of votes in favor as of early Wednesday. The five-year levy funds the day-to-day operations of the county jail, and its failure would have posed serious challenges to county public safety services.

The passage is a significant win for county officials who have argued the jail is a cornerstone of the local criminal justice system. Sheriff Pollock had previously stated that modernizing the jail is among his top priorities for the coming term.

Townsend Leads Madras Mayor Race

In the race for Madras mayor — left open after incumbent Mayor Mike Lepin announced he would not seek re-election — Jennifer Townsend was leading challenger Travis Montgomery in preliminary results, 57.1% to 41.8%. If results hold, Townsend will become Madras's next mayor.

Three New City Councilors

Three seats on the Madras City Council were also on the ballot. Early results showed Tanya Murren leading the pack at 23.8%, followed by Tony Chard at 22.1% and Eric Timmerman at 16.9%. If those results hold, all three would win seats on the council. Trailing in early returns were George (Wesley) Curtiss (12.2%), Bill Robathan (12.1%), and Maryfrances Purschwitz (11.8%).

What Comes Next

All results reported are unofficial. Oregon's vote-by-mail system means ballots postmarked by Election Day continue arriving for days afterward. Final certified results will be available from the Jefferson County Elections Office in the coming weeks. The Madras Bulletin will update coverage as results are finalized.