Ballots Due For Special Primary Election

November 7, 2011 | Filed under: Local News,News | Posted by:

Astorian Walter Norblad, Jr. served as 1st Congressional District Representative 1946-1964

Time is running out to return ballots for the Nov. 8 special primary election.

Ballots for the election must be returned by 8 p.m. Tuesday in order to be counted. To ensure their ballots arrive on time, voters are advised to bring completed ballots to one of the approved drop sites. Ballots placed in the mail before the deadline but not delivered until after will not be counted.

The election for a representative in Congress for the 1st District became necessary when Congressman David Wu stepped down after senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden called for his resignation amid accusations of improper sexual conduct and concerns related to mental health issues. Wu represented District 1 from 1999-2011.

Oregon’s 1st congressional district includes Clatsop, Columbia, Washington and Yamhill Counties, soutwest Porland and part of Multnomah County.

Democrative Party Candidates:
Saba Ahmed    Portland
Brad Avakian  Portland
Suzanne Bonamici     Beaverton
Dominic Hammon     Brookings
Robert Lettin     Sherwood
Todd Ritter         Marylhurst
Dan Strite            Warrenton
Brad Witt             Beaverton

Republican Party:
Rob Cornilles        Tualitin
Pavel Goberman  Beaverton
Jim Greenfield      Tigard
Lisa Michaels        Beaverton
DR Delgado-Morgan  Gaston

Astorian Wendell Wyatt served in House of Representatives November 3, 1964 - January 3, 1975

Ballots for this Special Primary Election were only sent to registered Democratic and Republican Party members. Registered Democrats received a ballot containing Democratic candidates. Registered Republicans received a ballot containing Republican candidates.

As of November 4th voter turnout was at 35.48% according to Clatsop County elections website.

The winning candidate from each party will be placed on the ballot for a special election taking place January 31, 2012.

Completed ballots can be dropped at the following sites:

  • Clatsop County Clerk’s Office, Public Services Building, 820 Exchange St., Astoria -or- 24-hour drop box in front of office.
  • Cannon Beach City Hall, 163 Gower St., Cannon Beach
  • Gearhart City Hall, 696 Pacific Way, Gearhart
  • Seaside City Hall, 989 Broadway, Seaside
  • Warrenton City Hall, 225 S. Main Ave., Warrenton
  • Knappa High School, 41535 Old Highway 30, Knappa
  • Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Hall, 12525 Oregon Highway 202
  • Clatskanie Library, 11 Lillich St., Clatskanie

For more information contact the Clerk and Elections Office at (503) 325-8511 or go to the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us and click on “Nov. 8, 2011 Special Primary Election.”

1st Congressional District Factoids:

Created in 1893

Held seven times by a Republican Congressman

Held two times by a Democratic Congressman

Held once by a Democratic Congresswoman

The last two times Republicans represented the district they were from Astoria, Congressmen Walter Norblad, Jr. and Wendell Wyatt. Walter Norblad, Jr. served from January 1946 until his death in September 1964. Norblad’s father, Walter Norblad, Sr., was also an Astorian. He served as Oregon’s 19th Governor, serving from from 1929 to 1931.

Wendell Wyatt  won a special election in November 1964 and served until January 1975 after declining to run again.  Les Aucoin won the election for the Democrats, who have held the position every since.