First Unofficial Results for 2026 Primary Election in JoCo Released
The first round of unofficial results are in for the 2026 Primary Election in Josephine County as of 8 p.m. Tuesday. Current Commissioner Colene Martin and Former Commissioner John West had the highest numbers, 47.89% and 28.73% respectively, for County Commissioner Position 1. Chad Hansen and Mark Jones had the two highest voter numbers at 32.42% and 22.42% respectively for Commissioner Position 2. All four will progress to the November election. County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels will continue in her current position with 65.85% of the vote, as will Legal Counsel Wally Hicks, who ran unopposed, as Legal Counsel. Dustin Calvo had the highest number of votes for County Treasurer at 43.15%, with Simon Hare coming in at 36.71%. The two will move forward to the November election.
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Commissioner Richardson Defends County Facility Inspections at Workshop
County Commissioner Gary Richardson, at the end of the board's 1:30 p.m. workshop, stated he and Commissioner Colene Martin did legal, on-site inspections of county facilities Monday morning. This was in response to allegations of an illegal meeting of the board. Richardson stated Oregon law allows that meeting does not include any onsite inspection of any program or project, and that public meeting law does not apply as long as no deliberations or decisions take place. "If public officials have a clear legal right but refuse to use it, it's the same as not having the right at all," said Richardson. The board met at the start of the workshop to consider Department Business. A motion to approve the signing of Treasury's BMS Technologies Professional Services Agreement passed 3-0, as did a motion for Recreation's Table Rock Custom Masonry Contract. This would provide work and repairs for the fairground's commercial building.
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May 19th Primary Election Results at 26.64%
Voter Turnout for the May 19th 2026 Primary Election shows a participation rate of 26.64%. According to the latest update as of Monday at 5 p.m., the grand total of ballots received are 18,710, with a total of 17,116 accepted thus far. According to the county website, the schedule for election reporting will begin after 8 p.m. tonight, with results broadcast on KAJO this evening. The next result reports are scheduled to be posted May 27th and June 10th by 5 p.m. Certified results will be posted no later than June 15th by 5 p.m. This schedule is subject to change. Unofficial results will be posted at results.oregonvotes.gov.
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