PENDLETON — Voters in Umatilla County are getting ready to cast their ballots in the May 21 primary election. The last chance to register to vote is April 30, and ballots will be mailed to voters starting May 1.

Looking to register to vote?

If you have recently gone to the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division you are probably all set to go. Since January 2016, when Oregon’s voter registration law, known as Oregon Motor Voter, took effect, voter registration has been automatic for eligible Oregonians.

If you have been to the DMV then you probably received information in the mail from the Oregon Elections Division with details and options about your voter registration. The information includes the need to register with a political party if you want to vote for political party members in Oregon primary elections — otherwise you’ll remain registered as an unaffiliated voter.

If not, you can register online at the Oregon Secretary of State’s website, register by mail by filling out and sending an Oregon Voter Registration Card to your county elections office, or register in person at your local county elections office.

Key dates for voters

Tuesday, April 30: Last day to register to vote.

Wednesday, May 1: Ballots mailed to voters, and ballot drop sites open in Umatilla and Morrow County.

Tuesday, May 21: Election Day.

When is your ballot due?

On Election Day, Tuesday, May 21, all final ballots must be returned either in the mail or at a designated drop box.

All ballot return envelopes must be signed to be valid.

Drop-off ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

By mail, ballots must be received or mailed with a valid post mark by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Didn’t get your ballot?

Contact your county election office. County elections staff will check that your voter registration is current. If it is, they will mail you a replacement ballot if there’s time to mail it. Otherwise, you may pick up a replacement ballot in person at your county election office.

The Umatilla County Elections Division is in the Umatilla County Courthouse, 216 SE Fourth St., Suite 18, Pendleton, and accessible from Southeast Court Avenue or Southeast Dorion Avenue. The phone number is 541-278-6254.

The office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but on Election Day it is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Kim Lindell is the county elections manager.

The Morrow County Clerk’s Office is at Morrow County Courthouse, 100 S. Court St., Suite 102, Heppner. The phone number is 541-676-5600.

The clerk’s satellite office is in Irigon at the New Government Building, 215 NE Main Ave., and open Thursdays 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.

Bobbi Childers is the Morrow County clerk.

And for other questions regarding the election, voters should contact county elections offices.

Not sure what district or zone you’re in?

Find out by visiting the Oregon Secretary of State’s My Vote page, enter your first and last names and birthdate and click on the submit button.

When are Oregon’s elections?

Oregon has four regular annual elections:

• The second Tuesday in March.

• The third Tuesday in May.

• The fourth Tuesday in August.

• The first Tuesday, after the first Monday, in November.

In even numbered years, the May election is a primary election and the November election is the general election. In odd numbered years, the May election is a special district (local boards) election.

For all other regular elections, there may or may not be anything to vote on, depending on whether local governments propose any ballot measures or there are any state ballot initiatives or referendums from the Legislature.

Special elections are held when a federal office becomes vacant, or when the Legislature schedules an election to vote on a ballot measure.

The May 21 election will give Oregon voters a chance to weigh in on a number of ballot measures and candidates for the state Legislature, county commissions and president of the U.S.

Ballots can be returned via U.S. mail or dropped off at officially designated drop boxes across the region.

Ballot drop boxes are at the following locations in Umatilla County:

• Athena City Hall, 302 E. Currant St.

• Umatilla County Courthouse, 216 SE Fourth St., Pendleton, in the rear parking lot

• Echo City Hall, 20 S. Bonanza St.

• Stafford Hansell Government Center, 915 SE Columbia Drive, Hermiston Curbside island drive up 24/7

ª Milton-Freewater City Hall, 722 S. Main St.

• Nixyaawii Governance Center on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, curbside drive up 46411 Ti’Mine Way.

• Pilot Rock City Hall, 44 N. Alder Place.

• Stanfield City Hall, 106 S. Main St.

• Umatilla City Hall, 700 Sixth St., at the back alleyway entrance.

Ballot drop boxes are at the following locations in Morrow County:

• Heppner — Bartholomew parking lot and Morrow County Courthouse, 100 S. Court St., Suite 102.

• Lexington — Public Works Department parking lot, 365 W. Highway 74.

• Boardman — County Health Department parking lot, 101 NW Boardman Ave.

• Irrigon — 215 NE Main Ave., Morrow County Government Center parking lot.

• Ione — Spring Street by intersection to Third Street.

Drop box sites are open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. election night.