Tillamook clerk prepares ballot machines for November 3 election

Just over 800 new voter signatures were added to the Tillamook County election system on Oct. 14, the first day ballots went out to voters for the Nov. 3 election. County Clerk Christy Nyseth spent the day ensuring the new data was uploaded so the county’s ballot sorter could recognize returning envelopes.

The sorter, installed in May, scans barcodes and verifies signatures against voter registration records. It divides returned mail into the county’s 29 precincts. Nyseth said the machine cuts processing time in half compared to manual methods. Her staff began running the equipment that day to ensure it was calibrated for the volume expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Nyseth’s office manages voter records and conducts elections in the geographically long county. The role also covers marriage licenses, passports, property transactions, and dog licenses. She described the workload as wearing many hats during the busy election season.

On Oct. 14, Nyseth drove to a ballot drop site in Bay City, located near the City Hall and the local library. It is one of 10 secure locations in Tillamook County. She unlocked the blue metal box, which bears the county seal and the slogan “Land of Cheese, Trees and Ocean Breeze,” and opened the slot for returns.

“One of the things people ask us a lot about are our ballot drop sites. These are all very secure. Only deputized staff have access to them,” Nyseth said. She confirmed the box was open before returning to the Tillamook County Courthouse.

Election workers will begin opening envelopes on Oct. 28. They work in bipartisan pairs to prepare ballots for the tabulator. Trained observers watch the process via livestream. The office invites the public to watch a test of the tabulator, an event attended by at least one regular resident.

Nyseth plans to work from 7 a.m. on Election Day until 3 or 4 a.m. the next day. She will remain until the last ballot is processed and results are uploaded to the state site. Staff typically order food and hold a potluck during the long shift, often featuring a large bowl of candy.

The clerk’s office recently launched a monthly event called “Coffee with a Clerk” to discuss election procedures with residents. Nyseth has also held town halls in Tillamook, Manzanita, and Pacific City. She aims to provide a direct source of information to counter misinformation about the voting process.

“From the birth of the ballot until we put it to sleep. From creation, until we certify and then we have to archive that for two years,” Nyseth said regarding the ballot lifecycle. She emphasized that the office follows state law and administrative rules for every election.

Nyseth is a member of the Oregon Association of County Clerks, where officials share tips and solve unique administrative problems. She noted that the role relies on on-the-job training rather than specific academic coursework. She hopes voters will give office staff the benefit of the doubt and view their work with good intention.