Letter to the Editor: Why Has the Ballot Box at N Knowles and N Lombard Been Removed?

My email today to the Secretary of State:

Why has the ballot drop-off box at N. Knowles St. and N. Lombard St., outside of Goodwill, been removed?

We've used this ballot drop-off box for several elections. We are older and infirmed, and we want the drop-off box reinstalled immediately.

With all the chaos, uncertainty, and voter suppression tainting our elections -- AND the upcoming presidential election in November -- removing ballot drop-off boxes is alarming and appears meant to suppress voting among our neighbors.

Please respond.

Response from Multnomah County Elections Division:

We've gotten a lot of questions and concerns about this drop box being removed and we want to assure voters this was not due to voter suppression.

It was removed due to construction and major renovations occurring at the Goodwill Store. The Goodwill store is undergoing renovation and the Drop Box was removed to prevent damage. The temporary location will be near the Goodwill store. All libraries are now 24-drop sites including the nearby Kenton Library.

The Official Ballot Drop Box will be relocated within 1/4 mile of the Goodwill Store.  Please do contact us if you have any questions.  Thank you.  

This update has been posted on our website at https://multco.us/dropsites.

From the publisher:

I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Please still vote as if your life depends on it.

­­—Bernie Foster

This commentary has been updated to include Multnomah County Election Division's response.