November special election votes being tallied for key ballot measures across Oregon, Washington

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Voter service locations opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday for the November special election across Oregon and Washington, with polls closing at 8 p.m.

ELECTION RESULTS

Voters were able to drop ballots at official ballot drop sites or mail them. Election officials recommended requesting a manual postmark at local U.S. Postal Service offices for mailed ballots.

Unofficial results will be updated periodically by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. Certified final results will be posted on Monday, December 1.

The first round of unofficial results were released at around 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

Portland parks levy projected to pass

A levy to help maintain Portland’s public parks is projected to pass. The proposed measure creates a new property tax beginning in 2026 and continues for five years.

The levy is expected to cost property owners $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value. It is estimated to raise around $456 million for renovations and preserve free and discounted access to recreation programs for impoverished families.

As of 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, unofficial results show the levy has earned just over 53% approval out of 116,474 tallied votes in Multnomah County, while about 57% of the 208 counted Washington County voters rejected the measure.

School district bond measures

Several proposed bond measures aim to make key improvements at school districts, including Lake Oswego Schools, West Linn-Wilsonville Schools and Oregon Trail Schools.

Unofficial results show the Lake Oswego bonds have been approved by about 67% of 46 counted voters.

Clackamas County fire protection measures

Voters in Gladstone and Sandy have decisions to make regarding fire protection and emergency medical services. Both cities are currently covered by the Clackamas Fire District under temporary contracts.

If the measures are approved, those contracts become permanent, allowing residents to vote in district elections, serve on the district’s board and help shape district service level and funding decisions.

If not approved, property owners will pay the district’s permanent tax rate of $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Washington County library services levy

In Washington County, voters will decide if the county should support library services, levying 37 cents per $1,000 assessed value for five years beginning in 2026. This may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

The current levy expires in June of next year and provides 45 percent of countywide library funding.

Out of 91,382 votes counted so far, an estimated 57% approve the measure.

Yamhill County recreation center bonds

In Yamhill County, McMinnville voters are being asked if the city should build an aquatics-recreation center and enhance the library, parks and senior center.

If bonds are approved, the annual tax rate is estimated to increase by 95 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for bond payments.

Washington state ballot measures

Washington state voters also have until 8 p.m. to turn in ballots. Official drop boxes, many operating 24/7, are available. Voting center hours may vary.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday to count.

One measure would create four voting districts in Vancouver, along with four city council positions. If approved, city council would be required to appoint a districting commission to divide the city into four geographic voting districts of roughly equal population.

It would also require four city council members be elected from the district in which they reside, and two city council members and the mayor be elected at large in a citywide election.

Another vote would create a levy of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to fund public safety and police, including additional police officers, equipment and criminal justice system costs.

On the statewide level, voters will decide whether Washington will be able to amend its constitution, allowing money in Washington’s long-term care fund to be invested. This would allow the state fund dedicated to providing long-term care benefits for eligible seniors and people with disabilities to be invested as authorized by law.

This is a developing story.