Three Oregon county clerks share perspectives and challenges ahead of general election

Think Out Loud

The November general election is just eight weeks away. In Oregon, the responsibility for local, state and federal races falls to the state’s 36 county clerks. But that job has gotten harder in recent years with budget cuts, staffing shortages, the spread of misinformation, physical threats and intimidation of election workers in Oregon and around the nation. A survey of Oregon county clerks released last autumn by researchers at Reed College revealed the increasing stress they’re under to fulfill their duties.

The county clerks are also overseeing elections at a time of deep political polarization, and often have to debunk false claims challenging the integrity of Oregon’s vote-by-mail system. Joining us to share their perspectives are Rochelle Long, Klamath County Clerk and incoming president of the Oregon Association of County Clerks; Derrin “Dag” Robinson, Harney County Clerk and vice-president of the Oregon Association of County Clerks; and Dena Dawson, the Lane County Clerk.