by Bill Burgess, Marion County Clerk

Presently, we will be fine with getting the ballots into the mail, to you, and back to us as long as you mail your ballot back by October 27, 7 days before Election Day, November 3.

If returning your ballot after October 27, please use an official ballot drop box anywhere in Oregon. (Editor note: from SOS office, "The Drop Box Locator will be updated 20 days before the next statewide election.")

In Marion County, you can follow this link and click on Elections to locate drop sites in Marion County that are available. In May 2020, 9 sites were closed due to the pandemic. The outside 24/7 ballot drop sites will be open. The Marion County Clerks office will be open.

We will mail ballots on October 14. If you do not receive a ballot by October 21, please call our office at 503-588-5041.

Please consider signing up for Track My Ballot at www.co.marion.or.us/CO . We will text, email or phone message you when we mail and when we receive your ballot. And when we accept your signature.

You an also track your ballot here and click on “My Vote”. Also, please be sure at this site that both your residential and mailing addresses are up-to-date, as well as your name and party affiliation.

If your signature does not match, or if you forget to sign, we will send you a letter, allowing you to “cure” your signature issue. Please get it back to us by November 17 in order for us to be able to open your return envelope and process your ballot for counting. Post marks do not count, so please mail by November 10.

If your ballot mailed way ahead of time has not been received by Monday or Tuesday of Election Day, November 3, you may wish to come to the Marion County Clerk’s location in the Senator Hearing Room, first floor of Courthouse Square, 555 Court St NE, to get a “replacement” ballot to vote on the spot. We will electronically inactivate your wayward ballot envelope.

Questions? Please call the Marion County Clerk’s Election office at 503-588-5041.

Virtual 2020 Coordinated Campaign Kick-Off! Sunday, August 23, 2020 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM PT

Join us for our 2020 Coordinated Campaign Kick-off! Hear from local and statewide leaders about how you can get involved this cycle to help elect Democrats up and down the ticket! Our volunteer recruitment phonebank will follow the kick off and training will be provided. Please look for the email in your inbox after you signup for the Zoom Call log-in information. We'll see you there!

Sunday, August 23rd: Bylaws Q&A, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Thursday, August 27th: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: General Membership Meeting, via Zoom; 6:30pm

We generally don't have a meeting in August, instead we have a picnic. However, with the urgency of this year's election and in light of the continuing pandemic, we have added a General Membership Meeting next week, post convention. Please join us!

Friday, September 4th: First day election signs can be posted publicly. They can only be up for 60 days prior to election.

Sunday, October 11th: 9:00am-11:00am, Virtual Capital Pride

Tuesday, November 3rd: U.S. General Election

We are seeking your input to develop a community vision that will guide future management of Bush’s Pasture Park and the Deepwood Gardens.

While many portions of Bush’s Pasture Park and Deepwood are well-established and not subject to change, the goal of the project is to produce a cultural landscape report that evaluates the historic landscapes; provides a community vision; and establishes objectives, policies, and priorities that will provide the basis for future management of these properties.

The first of three virtual open houses to solicit input is open through Sunday, August 30, 2020. At the first open house, you will be provided an orientation and asked for input that will help us understand what you know about the park, how you use the park, and what is most important to you about these places. Visit and take the survey today!

In English: https://form.cityofsalem.net/s3/BPP-Deepwood-Virtual-OH-1

In Spanish: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5747689/Spanish

REMINDER TODAY Special Bylaws Q & A Offered For Members

MCDCC Bylaws Committee is offering a Q & A about our new bylaws on Sunday, August 23rd, 3:00pm - 4:00pm. Please register in advance for this virtual meeting.

THIS SESSION WILL BE RECORDED. IF YOU MISS IT, PLEASE CONTACT OUR RULES COMMITTEE TO REQUEST ACCESS TO THE RECORDING.

This meeting is NOT for bylaw revisions. This meeting is designed to answer questions members may have about the proposed bylaws which is on our August agenda for adoption that have been revised by the membership over a nearly year-long process. If you have questions about this meeting please contact our Bylaws Committee Chair, Keri Capen.

You can download the bylaws here.

If you're wondering how you can help candidates during the pandemic - we have LOTS of SAFE ways for you to engage.

Check in with our Neighborhood Leader Program! There are many ways to be involved with more candidates than ever - in your safe, work from home environment.

We know how dedicated you all are to making change at the local level, and we need your help to win! Normally, we would need volunteers for door-knocking, but in these unprecedented times we are phone banking, doing lit drops, and sending post cards. Please join us August 26th to meet Ashley and help get her elected to County Commissioner this November! For more information or to RSVP please email Emily at emsorce@gmail.com

Modified: If you access to the MCDCC business office, please call ahead to ensure there is a volunteer available to assist you. Please call 503-363-8392 before visiting the office.

Modified: Some MCDCC committees will continue to meet in their small groups. Also, some committees are opting for teleconferencing. If you plan to attend a committee meeting, we encourage you to check with the Chair of the committee to see if they are meeting in person or by phone/video. Here is a list of contacts for each MCDCC Committee.

A Virtual LGBTQ+ Community Event

Salem Capital Pride is excited to announce our first ever virtual Pride! Our theme is “Celebrate, Protest, Advocate.” Learn more about the virtual event and deadlines for submissions here.