PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Happy Election Day!
From walkers to bikers to a long line of drivers, Oregonians were busy Tuesday morning dropping off their ballots before the 8 p.m. deadline.
“It’s been a steady stream,” Lake Oswego resident Linda Brown said. “Some people walk by, some people park and walk up — and everybody goes away with a smile on their face.”
Brown volunteers to help with elections, something she’s been doing for years.
“It’s really important that people take the time to exercise their right,” she said. “It’s an obligation of living here.”
There are a lot of hotly-contested races as well as significant initiatives on the ballot — which may be what motivated last-minute voters to get out and cast their ballots.
“Politics are pretty polarizing right now,” voter Jon Pierson said. “Everyone kind of has either a black or white opinion and I want my vote counted.”
Early voters turned out in record numbers this year. In Oregon, 49% of ballots were already turned in by Tuesday morning — and Washington state isn’t far behind with nearly 48% of their ballots returned.
According to the Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Office, 2018 is seeing more voter activity so far than any other midterm election in state history.
If you still haven’t had a chance to vote — there’s still time. In Oregon, voters need to drop off their ballots by 8 p.m. For those in Washington, ballots have to be postmarked and in the mail by the end of Tuesday for their vote to count.
If you need a ride to cast your vote, Lyft, Uber and Lime scooters are offering discounts on rides to ballot drop-off locations.
Lime users can enter LIME2VOTE18 to unlock a scooter for a free ride. Lyft will provide 50% off rides and Uber will get $10 off rides to ballot drop boxes.
Your Election Headquarters 2018