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September 24, 2026 in News

Benton County Elections to host Town Hall on October 8

With the General Election approaching Nov. 3, Benton County invites the community to learn about their voting rights and best practices at a Town Hall. The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. in the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

People can also participate remotely with a virtual meeting option. A Zoom link will be posted on the County’s website at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The Town Hall is an opportunity for community members to ask questions and talk about voting concerns with a panel of Elections staff.  Following a short presentation about election processes and timelines, the remainder of the two-hour meeting will be dedicated to Q&A.

Recent federal attempts to change voting practices have left voters with questions about what to expect from this election and how to ensure their vote is counted. Benton County Clerk Darla Rush and her staff have received more questions in recent weeks than they would normally get before an election.

“For weeks, the local and national news have been filled with conflicting information about vote-by-mail, and people are understandably concerned,” said Rush. “At the Town Hall, they can get facts about voting and be confident that their ballot will be received and counted.”

Benton County recommends voters take these steps:

  1. As soon as possible (no later than Oct. 13), check voter registration status and mailing address on the MyVote webpage.
  2. Use the Official Voters’ Pamphlet to research candidates and measures before ballots are mailed.
  3. When a ballot is received, don’t wait to fill it out! Complete and return it early in case questions arrive during processing.
  4. Return ballots in secure drop boxes whenever possible. If you must mail it, drop it in the mailbox 7-10 days before Election Day.
  5. To confirm your ballot was received, check the MyVote webpage or call the Benton County Elections Office at 541-766-6756.

General Election timeline

Oct. 5: Official Voters’ Pamphlet mailed to voters; Ballots mailed to absentee voters

Oct. 13: Deadline to register to vote in General Election or update registration

Oct. 14: Ballots mailed to in-state voters; Drop boxes open

Oct. 24: Benton County’s recommended deadline to mail ballot for return (to allow for processing by USPS)

Oct. 27: Secretary of State’s recommended deadline to mail ballot for return (to allow for processing by USPS)

Nov. 3: Election Day – ballots due in drop boxes or County Elections Office by 8 p.m.; Drop boxes locked at 8 p.m.

ballot in mailbox

July 8, 2026 in News

Benton County Clerk responds to report of ballots left in mailboxes

Benton County Clerk Darla Rush went directly to state and federal officials after reading that an unknown number of ballots were not collected from 12 of Corvallis’s 38 mail routes on May 19 — Election Day.

On July 6, the Corvallis Gazette-Times reported that some Corvallis votes were not counted following the May primary because letter carriers did not pick them up in time. Management had instructed postal workers to prioritize package deliveries over pickups.

A letter carrier who spoke to Mid-Valley Media said the order to deliver packages only is not uncommon when the volume of deliveries backs up and staffing is stretched. Around elections, however, carriers are usually told to prioritize mail over packages.

After reading the news story, Rush contacted the County’s United States Postal Service representative in Portland, who escalated the matter to senior leadership. They met Tuesday to discuss the issue.

Rush also shared the news story with the Secretary of State’s office, where staff will look into the matter. 

With a general election coming in November, Rush is doing everything she can to ensure every eligible ballot is postmarked by Election Day. She requested a meeting with USPS representatives, the Secretary of State’s elections director and the Corvallis postmaster that will take place later this week.

The last piece of her plan: increased communication and public education before the November election.

“Our primary message will encourage voters to use one of the county’s 17 official ballot drop sites whenever possible,” said Rush. “If you do mail a ballot, follow the Secretary of State’s direction — do it at least one week before Election Day.”

Rush and her staff will schedule community outreach meetings in the fall to talk with voters about their options and address questions.

Election resources, including locations of ballot drop boxes, are available on the Benton County Records & Elections website.

January 6, 2026 in News

Recall Petitions

Petition BEN-2026-01 against Sami Al-Abdrabbuh, Corvallis School District Director, Position 1

Chief Petitioner
William J Rottenkolber, Resident of Corvallis School District 509J

01/02/2026 Prospective petition was filed.

01/06/2026 Prospective petition approved for circulation.10-line signature sheet is approved on white paper stock for any petition sheet that will be circulated by volunteer circulators.

04/06/2026 Deadline to submit signature sheets for verification in this office by 5:00 PM PST

The completed recall petition must contain at least 4,577 valid signatures, and each petition signer must be an active registered voter in Corvallis School District at the time of signing the petition.

04/06/2026 5:01 PM No signatures were submitted by the deadline, and the recall petition is no longer active.

Prospective Petition for Recall Sami Al-Abdrabbuh submitted

Petition BEN-2026-02 against Chris Hawkins, Corvallis School District Director, Position 2

Chief Petitioner
William J Rottenkolber, Resident of Corvallis School District 509J

01/02/2026 Prospective petition was filed.

01/06/2026 Prospective petition approved for circulation.10-line signature sheet is approved on white paper stock for any petition sheet that will be circulated by volunteer circulators.

04/06/2026 Last day to file signature sheets in this office by 5:00 PM PST

The completed recall petition must contain at least 4,577 valid signatures, and each petition signer must be an active registered voter in Corvallis School District at the time of signing the petition.

04/06/2026 5:01 PM No signatures were submitted by the deadline, and the recall petition is no longer active.

Prospective Petition for Recall Chris Hawkins submitted

Petition BEN-2026-03 against Terese Jones, Corvallis School District Director, Position 3

Chief Petitioner
William J Rottenkolber, Resident of Corvallis School District 509J

01/02/2026 Prospective petition was filed.

01/06/2026 Prospective petition approved for circulation.10-line signature sheet is approved on white paper stock for any petition sheet that will be circulated by volunteer circulators.

04/06/2026 Last day to file signature sheets in this office by 5:00 PM PST

The completed recall petition must contain at least 4,577 valid signatures, and each petition signer must be an active registered voter in Corvallis School District at the time of signing the petition.

04/06/2026 5:01 PM No signatures were submitted by the deadline, and the recall petition is no longer active.

Prospective Petition for Recall Terese Jones submitted

Petition BEN-2026-04 against Luhui Whitebear, Corvallis School District Director, Position 4

Chief Petitioner
William J Rottenkolber, Resident of Corvallis School District 509J

01/02/2026 Prospective petition was filed.

01/06/2026 Prospective petition approved for circulation.10-line signature sheet is approved on white paper stock for any petition sheet that will be circulated by volunteer circulators.

04/06/2026 Last day to file signature sheets in this office by 5:00 PM PST

The completed recall petition must contain at least 4,577 valid signatures, and each petition signer must be an active registered voter in Corvallis School District at the time of signing the petition.

04/06/2026 5:01 PM No signatures were submitted by the deadline, and the recall petition is no longer active.

Prospective Petition for Recall Luhui Whitebear submitted

Petition BEN-2026-05 against Shauna Tominey, Corvallis School District Director, Position 5

Chief Petitioner
William J Rottenkolber, Resident of Corvallis School District 509J

01/02/2026 Prospective petition was filed.

01/06/2026 Prospective petition approved for circulation.10-line signature sheet is approved on white paper stock for any petition sheet that will be circulated by volunteer circulators.

04/06/2026 Last day to file signature sheets in this office by 5:00 PM PST

The completed recall petition must contain at least 4,577 valid signatures, and each petition signer must be an active registered voter in Corvallis School District at the time of signing the petition.

04/06/2026 5:01 PM No signatures were submitted by the deadline, and the recall petition is no longer active.

Prospective Petition for Recall Shauna Tominey submitted

Petition BEN-2026-06 against Judah Largent, Corvallis School District Director, Position 6

Chief Petitioner
William J Rottenkolber, Resident of Corvallis School District 509J

01/02/2026 Prospective petition was filed.

01/06/2026 Prospective petition approved for circulation.10-line signature sheet is approved on white paper stock for any petition sheet that will be circulated by volunteer circulators.

04/06/2026 Last day to file signature sheets in this office by 5:00 PM PST

The completed recall petition must contain at least 4,577 valid signatures, and each petition signer must be an active registered voter in Corvallis School District at the time of signing the petition.

04/06/2026 5:01 PM No signatures were submitted by the deadline, and the recall petition is no longer active.

Prospective Petition for Recall Judah Largent submitted

Petition BEN-2026-07 against Bernie Wang, Corvallis School District Director, Position 7

Chief Petitioner
William J Rottenkolber, Resident of Corvallis School District 509J

01/02/2026 Prospective petition was filed.

01/06/2026 Prospective petition approved for circulation.10-line signature sheet is approved on white paper stock for any petition sheet that will be circulated by volunteer circulators.

04/06/2026 Last day to file signature sheets in this office by 5:00 PM PST

The completed recall petition must contain at least 4,577 valid signatures, and each petition signer must be an active registered voter in Corvallis School District at the time of signing the petition.

04/06/2026 5:01 PM No signatures were submitted by the deadline, and the recall petition is no longer active.

Prospective Petition for Recall Bernie Wang submitted

Fees

December 4, 2025 in News

Recording Fee Increase

Beginning January 1, 2026

Recording fees for all instruments under 205.130(2) will increase by $20. The fee increase will affect deed and mortgage recordings of real property.  This includes assignments, certificates of sale, court order records, and any instrument affecting title or interest in real property.

This change comes from HB 3175 which removed the cap on the Public Land Corner Preservation Fund (PLC) fee for recording. Benton County Order 2025-070 increases the PLC fee from $10 to $30.

Recording Fees 1-1-2026 (PDF)

A house sits on a foggy morning surrounded by a field and forest, with mountains in the background

February 14, 2024 in NewsPVAB

PVAB Hearings 2025

Benton County’s, Property Value Appeals Board, meets annually to hear appeals on the property values for the current tax year.

Read More

Official voter ballot envelops, showing the red "Ballot Enclosed" text on the outside of the main envelop, and the Signature area to confirm voter's identity on the internal ballot envelope

June 8, 2023 in LegislationNews

2023 Legislative Updates

The 2023 legislative body brought forth a few new bills making changes to our services. Upcoming changes will affect Recording in real property records, Domestic Partnerships, and the Board of Property Value Appeals. These legislative changes went into effect January 1, 2024.

Legislative Changes from 2023

Recording Requirements – Font Size Increase

HB 2029

The minimum font size required for recording will increase from 8-point to 10-point font. This legislation amends ORS 205.232.

More Information on Recording Requirements »

Domestic Partnerships

HB 2032

Expands Domestic Partnership Declarations to all couples, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.

More Information on Domestic Partnerships »

Board of Property Tax Appeals

HB 2031

Changes the name from Board of Property Tax Appeal (BoPTA) to Property Value Appeals Board (PVAB).

Forms with new name starting July 1st, 2024.

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