“No Kings: Vote Early” takes place on Saturday, October 17th, 12 to 3 pm at the Benton County Courthouse, 120 NW 4th St., three days after the county’s scheduled mailing of local ballots.
Organizers say the event is nonpartisan and its main goal is to encourage people to drop off their ballots. All are welcome, and political party affiliation does not matter.
Attendees are encouraged to complete their ballots and return their signed ballot envelopes at the courthouse’s official drop box located in the front of the building.
Who knows, with the new courthouse under construction, this might be one last historic vote for that ballot drop box location.
(Photo: Benton County Courthouse/The Corvallis Inquirer)
Activities planned include a “Boogie for Ballots” dance party, sidewalk chalk art, an “I Voted Early!” photo booth, rock painting, bracelet making, and a food drive.
“We plan to mobilize an unprecedented level of voter participation in the upcoming Midterm Elections,” event organizer George Stevens said in the announcement.
“Our 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.”
His message aligns with Benton County election officials’ recommendation to return ballots early and use secure drop boxes whenever possible. For those voting by mail, the county recommends mailing ballots by October 24th, three days earlier than the state’s recommended October 27th mailing date. Better safe than sorry.
Official drop boxes close at 8 pm on November 3rd. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days after mailing.
Organizers say the event follows No Kings’ commitment to nonviolence, with de-escalation training and a designated safety lead.
Voters can track their ballots through My Vote, linked from the Benton County Elections website, or contact the Elections Office at 541-766-6756 with ballot questions.
This article was written by Jesse Grant, a contributor to The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com
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