Coos County clerk says some voters won't receive ballots due to USPS error

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With less than a week until Election Day, a county clerk on the Oregon Coast is telling some voters they will have to reach out directly to officials for their ballots.

Coos County Clerk Julie Brecke announced on Tuesday that the area has experienced “unexplained delays” in ballot mailing due to an error from the U.S. Postal Service.

“My office has been inundated by calls from understandably frustrated voters who haven’t received their ballot,” Brecke said. “At this point, voters who haven’t received a ballot shouldn’t count on it arriving.”

The clerk advised residents who haven’t received their ballots to call the Elections Office at 541-396-7610 or visit the Clerk’s Office in person at 250 N Baxter St. in Coquille. Brecke asked those who call to remain patient and leave a voicemail, if officials don’t answer due to the “high volume of calls.”

According to the clerk, both her office and the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office have asked USPS to issue a public statement on the delays and explain they are simply a mailing mistake — but the service has "ignored" the requests.

Voters across the region have expressed concerns over potential election interference, with recent ballot box fires in Portland and Vancouver. Although authorities have identified the suspect vehicle, they are still searching for the individual or individuals who started the fires.

On Monday, Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan said the motive of the arson cases is unknown.

This is a developing story.