Multnomah County Elections: Candidate Filing Deadlines Approaching for May 19 Primary
Multnomah County voters will participate in a primary election on May 19, 2026, featuring candidates for Metro positions, as well as federal, state and judicial offices. Key filing deadlines for candidates are rapidly approaching, with the first deadline for incumbent Metro candidates on March 3, 2026.
Filing Deadlines
- March 3, 2026: Filing deadline for in-service candidates for the Metropolitan Bureau.
- March 10, 2026: Filing deadline for non-incumbent (new) candidates and in-service candidates accepting appointments to the Metropolitan Bureau.
All filing information must be received by 5 p.m. On the respective deadline dates. More information can be found at multco.us/info/may-19-2026-primary-election.
November Election to Feature Ranked Choice Voting
Candidates for Multnomah County and City of Portland elected offices will not appear on the May 2026 ballot. Instead, these races will be decided in the November 3, 2026 general election. This election will mark the implementation of ranked choice voting for both Multnomah County and the City of Portland.
The filing period for the November 2026 general election opens on June 3, 2026.
Voter Registration Deadline
The deadline to register to vote, or to change party affiliation, for the May 19, 2026 primary election is April 28, 2026. Voters can register online at oregonvotes.gov/register.
Key Dates
- April 3, 2026: Military/Overseas Ballots Mailed
- April 6, 2026: Absentee ballots begin being distributed
- April 20, 2026: Out-of-state ballots mailed out
- April 28, 2026: Voter registration deadline
- April 29, 2026: Mail-in ballots to registered voters
- May 19, 2026: Primary Election Day
- June 15, 2026: Final election results certification
Contact Information
Multnomah County Elections Building: 1040 S.E. Morrison St., Portland, OR 97214
Gresham Service Point: Multnomah County East Building, 600 N.E. 8th St., Gresham, OR 97030 (Express Voting Center open April 23, 2026 – May 19, 2026)
Phone: 503-988-VOTE (8683)
Email: elections@multco.us
Website: www.MultnomahVotes.gov
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