Early returns from Tuesday's election show the Pendleton fire and ambulance levy and La Grande's proposed 5-cent fuel tax trailing, while the new Umatilla County Fire District #1 operating levy and the Malheur County ambulance charge increase are ahead, the Malheur measure by 166 votes, according to unofficial results posted by the Oregon Secretary of State as of 1:30 p.m. Nov. 4. The Pilot Rock Fire District renewal, Hermiston's charter amendments and Joseph's psilocybin business ban are also ahead, and one of three Elgin charter changes is leading.
All results are unofficial and can change. Oregon counts ballots postmarked by Election Day that reach the county by Nov. 10, according to the Secretary of State.
Unofficial results as of 1:30 p.m. Nov. 4 from the Oregon Secretary of State and county elections offices. Bars show the share voting yes; the white line marks 50%. Ballots arriving through Nov. 10 still count, so every result can change.
Umatilla County
Measure 30-175: Umatilla County Fire District #1 operating levy
The measure would create a five-year operating levy of 89 cents per $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2027-28, which the ballot title says would keep current paramedic, EMT and firefighter staffing, including 16 positions now paid by a temporary FEMA grant. It is leading by 479 votes in the Umatilla County results on the state site.
Measure 30-176: Pilot Rock Fire District levy renewal
The measure would renew the district's five-year local option tax at its current 82 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which pays for its Quick Response Team and firefighter protective equipment. It is leading in the state's results for shared districts. The district reaches into Morrow County, and the total combines 758 to 149 in Umatilla County and 1 to 2 in Morrow County.
Measure 30-177: City of Pendleton fire and ambulance levy
The five-year levy of $1.29 per $1,000 of assessed value would raise about $1.62 million a year for Pendleton Fire and Ambulance, paying for six firefighter-paramedics and other staff and equipment. It is trailing.
Measure 30-178: City of Hermiston charter amendments
The single question would amend Hermiston's 2015 charter, including having ward councilors elected only by voters in their ward and having the council appoint the municipal judge rather than voters electing one. It is leading.
Umatilla County's election results page says its last update comes when the county is ready to certify the election, no sooner than 22 days and no later than 27 days after Election Day.
Union County
The counts below are from the Union County results page, last updated at 12:08 a.m. Nov. 4, and match the state site.
Measure 31-128: La Grande fuel tax
The measure would impose a 5-cent-per-gallon tax on fuel sold in La Grande for street maintenance from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2032. It is trailing.
Measure 31-127: La Grande council and mayor elections
The charter amendment would drop position numbers for council seats so the candidates with the most votes win, eliminate the primary election for mayor and council, and have the council fill vacancies by appointment. It is leading by 152 votes.
City of Elgin charter amendments
Elgin voters decided three separate charter amendments. Measure 31-124 would have the mayor appoint and remove the city administrator with a council vote and make the administrator the city recorder. Measure 31-125 would let the mayor appoint and remove city committee members with a council vote. Measure 31-126 would extend the candidate filing period from three weeks to 12 weeks. Only the filing period change is leading.
Wallowa County
Measure 32-012: Joseph psilocybin business ban
The measure would prohibit psilocybin product manufacturers and psilocybin service centers in the city of Joseph. It is leading in the Wallowa County results on the state site, where the Wallowa County Clerk directs readers for results.
Malheur County
Measure 23-76: Malheur County Ambulance Service District charge
The measure would raise the district's annual charge on each home from $16 to $31 over three years, with higher per-employee charges for businesses and per-room or per-space charges for motels and RV parks. It is leading by 166 votes. If it holds, the charge would rise to $21 in 2027 and first appear on property tax statements in October 2027, according to the ballot title summary. The Malheur County Clerk lists its results as updated at 1 a.m. Nov. 4, with the next update set for Nov. 25.
Counts may change as counties process ballots arriving through Nov. 10 and before they certify. Full measure language and background are in Bunchgrass's pre-election guide to Eastern Oregon's local measures.
