Local organizers will hold a get-out-the-vote event Saturday at the Benton County Courthouse in Corvallis as part of a nationwide day of voter mobilization called “No Kings: Vote Early.”
The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the courthouse, 120 NW Fourth St. Organizers say the goal is to encourage people to vote early and turn out in large numbers for the Nov. 3 general election.
Planned activities include a “Boogie for Ballots” dance party, sidewalk chalk art, an “I Voted Early!” photo booth, get-out-the-vote rock painting, bracelet making and a food drive. Attendees will also be able to sign up for get-out-the-vote and election protection volunteer activities planned for the coming weeks.
“We plan to mobilize an unprecedented level of voter participation in the upcoming midterm elections,” event organizer George Stevens said in a news release. “Power does not belong in the hands of billionaires, strongmen or politicians, it belongs in the hands of the people, and we exercise our power through our votes.”
Stevens added that democracy “is strongest when everyone who is eligible to vote knows their options for voting, makes a plan, and then follows through on that plan and votes.”
Ballots for the election are scheduled to be mailed to Benton County voters on Wednesday.
Organizers are encouraging voters who receive their ballots by Oct. 17 to fill them out and drop them in the ballot box at the courthouse during the event.
Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, and received by the seventh day after the election. Because of delays at the U.S. Postal Service, the Oregon Secretary of State recommends mailing ballots at least seven days before Election Day, using an official ballot drop box or going to a post office in person and asking that the ballot be postmarked.
That means ballots sent by mail should go out by Oct. 27 and must arrive at the elections office by Nov. 10.
In Philomath, an official ballot drop box is located at Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St.
Registered voters who have not received a ballot by Oct. 26 should contact the Benton County Elections Office at 541-766-6756. Voters can check their registration and track their ballot at re.bentoncountyor.gov.
Organizers describe the event as nonpartisan and say all are welcome regardless of political affiliation. They also say No Kings events follow a shared commitment to nonviolence with organizers trained in de-escalation and a designated safety lead at each local event.
Nationally, No Kings: Vote Early events are organized by a coalition that includes Indivisible, the American Civil Liberties Union, 50501, the American Federation of Teachers, Black Voters Matter Fund, MoveOn, Public Citizen and Voto Latino.