Jonathan Curtis Stories

Deschutes County's own internal auditor checked the county's 11 ballot drop boxes against federal disability-access standards. The boxes met most of the standards, but seven of the 11 had openings higher than the 48-inch limit, the height meant to keep them within reach for people using wheelchairs. Four had gaps in the pavement wider than half an inch, which can catch a wheel or a cane. The audit found that staff inspected the boxes before and during elections but didn't check them against those disability standards, and had no plan to fix the height and pavement problems. The auditor recommended two things: inspect the boxes regularly against disability standards, and make a plan to fix the ones that fall short. The Clerk's side According to the report, the Clerk argued that disability standards didn't apply to some boxes because they are drive-up structures. The auditor wrote that either way, the height and pavement problems "created a tangible barrier to...

Around July 2025, the City of Bend put up four Flock license-plate reader cameras, two on the north end of town and two on the south end. The contract cost about $20,000 a year, and it didn't need a City Council vote. Most people in Bend didn't get a say until January 7, 2026, when residents packed the council chambers to object. They asked the questions that should have been answered before the first camera went up: How long is the data kept? Who can see it? What happens if it's hacked or misused? Councilor Ariel Méndez raised serious concerns about the company's security practices. The council listened, and that part deserves credit. The next afternoon the cameras were turned off. The contract won't be renewed, and the cameras are coming down. The problem is the order things happened in For about six months, cameras recorded where Bend drivers went before the public had any of those answers. Data about where residents drive belongs to the people of this city, ...

Every voter in Oregon has the right to get help voting. Here's what's available for the November 3 election, taken from the Oregon Secretary of State's page for voters with disabilities . Get help from someone you trust Any Oregon voter can ask for and get help registering to vote, marking their ballot, or returning it. You can get help from a care provider, a family member, a friend or anyone else you trust, at home or wherever you choose, like a care center, a library or a senior center. One rule to know: under Oregon law, you can't get help from your employer or someone acting for your employer, or from an officer or agent of your union. Mark your ballot with a screen reader Voters with a disability can use a screen reader or other assistive technology to fill out their ballot at home with Oregon's online ballot-marking tool. After that, you print the ballot, sign it, and send it back in the return envelope the county mails you about two weeks before the ele...

If you want to vote in the November 3 election in Deschutes County and you aren't registered yet, the deadline is Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time that night. If you've moved, update your address by then too, so your ballot is mailed to the right place. Who can register U.S. citizens Oregon residents Anyone at least 16 years old (you'll get a ballot once there's an election on or after your 18th birthday) Register online Go to Oregon's online voter registration page . You'll need an Oregon driver license, permit or ID card number. No Oregon ID? Use the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have neither, you can still fill it out online, then print it, sign it, and mail or bring it to the county elections office. Prefer paper? Fill out a voter registration form and return it to the Deschutes County Clerk's office at 1300 NW Wall St in Bend. Already registered? Check anyway If you...

If you voted by mail in Oregon and the county couldn't match the signature on your return envelope, your ballot is set aside until the signature is fixed. It isn't thrown away. You have time, and the fix is simple. How you'll know The Deschutes County Clerk's office mails you a notice with a form to sign and send back. If you get one, don't set it aside. The deadline: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 For the November 3 election, you have 21 days after Election Day to fix your signature. That's Tuesday, November 24, 2026. How to fix it Follow the instructions on the notice and return the signed form. Or sign in person at the Clerk's office, 1300 NW Wall St, Bend, before 5 p.m. on November 24. Questions? Call Deschutes County Elections at (541) 388-6547. Why it matters If the signature isn't fixed in time, the ballot isn't counted and your voter registration can be made inactive. Then you'd need to update your registration before you can vote...

Oregon votes by mail. Your ballot comes with a postage-paid return envelope, so you can mail it back with no stamp, or drop it off at an official drop box. When drop boxes are open Deschutes County drop boxes open October 16 and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2026 . Where they are The county has official drop sites in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine and Sunriver. Find the one nearest you on the Deschutes County drop box map or Oregon's drop box locator . You can use any official drop site in Oregon, or bring your ballot to the county elections office at 1300 NW Wall St in Bend. Mailing it instead? Mail it by October 27 to be safe. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by November 3. Before you drop it off Sign the return envelope. Your ballot can't be counted until it's signed. Every date and step is in my Deschutes County voting guide . En español: Cómo votar . Had a problem with your ballot? Tell me what happened . — Jonathan Curtis, candida...