Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read has asked the United States Postal Service to conduct a thorough review of its mail pickup policies after reports that some ballots in Corvallis were not collected before the May 19 primary.
Benton County officials said they became aware of the problem after reporting by the Corvallis Gazette-Times. County officials said postal employees were instructed to prioritize package deliveries over picking up outgoing mail, including ballots.
State official calls for transparency
Read said voters must be able to trust that mailed ballots will be picked up and processed in a timely manner. He urged the USPS to examine practices around Election Day and make the results of that review public so voters can understand any risks to timely ballot processing.
"That’s why I’m calling on the USPS to do a thorough review of its policies and practices regarding mail pick-up on or before Election Day," Read said.
Read also flagged broader concerns about service changes at the postal service that he said have already affected mail processing and postmarking. He recommended that voters use ballot drop boxes when available or deposit ballots in the mailbox at least one week before Election Day for the upcoming general election on Nov. 3.
Local impact, practical guidance
Benton County’s disclosure follows local reporting and highlights a tension many counties face: relying on the postal network for large volumes of outgoing ballots while that network adapts to changing operational priorities. Election officials in Oregon have been managing these risks by expanding drop-box networks and communicating timelines to voters.
- Recommended: Use official ballot drop boxes when possible.
- If mailing: Put ballots in the mailbox at least one week before Election Day.
- Watch: Check county election office guidance and postmark deadlines.
Read’s statement echoes earlier warnings issued to voters during the May primary when postal changes affected when ballots might be postmarked. He stressed that unexpected mailing delays cannot occur with the November general election approaching.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary date referenced | May 19 |
| Upcoming general election | Nov. 3 |
The secretary of state’s call for a USPS review places the agency’s local operations under closer scrutiny and pushes for public transparency ahead of the high-turnout November contest. County and state election officials say voter confidence depends on clear processes and reliable mail service.
News Block will continue to monitor any response from the U.S. Postal Service and how Benton County election officials adjust their guidance to voters.
