Corvallis, Oregon Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the Oregon Secretary of State's website at https://oregonevotes.gov, with registration available up to 21 days before any election. The state also offers automatic voter registration when residents obtain or renew a driver's license or state ID at the DMV. To qualify, voters must be U.S. Citizens, at least 16 years old (though they cannot actually vote until 18), and Oregon residents. No identification is required for online registration if using a valid Oregon driver's license or ID number. The city operates under a council-manager form of government with a mayor and eight city council members elected from four wards, two councilors per ward. Municipal elections occur in November of even-numbered years. The next City of Corvallis election is November 4, 2025 (an off-cycle year), when voters will decide mayoral and city council positions. Council members serve four-year staggered terms. Information about local candidates, ballot measures, and city election dates is available through the City of Corvallis website at www.corvallisoregon.gov/citycouncil and through the Benton County elections office. Local ballot measures, library levies, school bonds, city charter amendments, appear frequently on ballots here. Because Oregon conducts all elections by mail, there are no traditional polling places. Registered voters automatically receive ballots mailed to their registered address beginning 18-20 days before Election Day. Ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postage-paid) or by depositing in official ballot drop boxes throughout the city, including locations at the Benton County Courthouse (120 NW 4th Street), Corvallis Public Library (645 NW Monroe Avenue), and other designated sites listed at www.co.benton.or.us/elections. Election records in Oregon are highly transparent and publicly accessible. Voter registration lists (excluding confidential addresses for protected voters) can be purchased from the Benton County elections office for $500 for the full county list or $50 plus 1 cent per name for partial lists. Campaign finance reports for local candidates and political action committees are filed with the Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division and searchable online at https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/. Candidate filing information, including statements and financial disclosures, is available through both the Benton County elections office and the state. Precinct-level election results for all races are published on the Benton County Elections website within hours of polls closing, with detailed breakdowns by precinct, ward, and district. The county has historically leaned Democratic, with the city particularly progressive due to the university influence. Oregon will hold elections for Governor (four-year term), all constitutional officers (Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer), the full Oregon House of Representatives (60 seats), and half of the Oregon State Senate (15 seats in odd-numbered districts). Local voters participate in state legislative districts that include District 15 (Senate) and District 16 (House). There is no U.S. Senate seat from Oregon up for election in 2026 (Oregon's Senate seats are up in 2026 for the Class II seat currently held by Jeff Merkley). Locally, Benton County will elect county commissioners, the District Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, and other county offices. Specific ballot measures for school funding, local bonds, and policy initiatives will be determined throughout 2026. Oregon's vote-by-mail system means all registered voters will receive ballots automatically; residents can track their ballot status online at https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/showVoterSearch.do.