LA GRANDE — Voters in Union County are getting ready to cast their ballots in the May 16 special district election.

The last chance to register to vote is Tuesday, April 25, and ballots will be mailed to voters starting April 26.

Looking to register to vote?

If you have recently gone to the Oregon DMV, 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 you probably received information in the mail from the Oregon Elections Division with details and options about your voter registration, including 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.

How to cast your ballot

The May 16 election will give Oregon voters a chance to weigh in on candidates for school boards, school bond measures and leaders of local special districts. Ballots can be returned via U.S. mail or dropped off at officially designated drop boxes across the county. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

In Union County, ballot drop boxes will open on April 27 and are located at the following locations:

• Cove City Hall, 504 Alder St.

• Elgin City Hall, 790 S. Eighth Ave.

• Imbler City Hall, 180 Ruckman

• Island City City Hall, 10605 Island Ave.

• North Powder City Hall, 635 Third St.

• Union City Hall, 342 S. Main St.

• Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St., La Grande

• Union County Clerk’s Office, 1001 Fourth St., La Grande

Key dates for voters in Northeastern Oregon

Tuesday, April 25: Last day to register to vote

Wednesday, April 26: Ballots mailed to voters

Thursday, April 27: Ballot drop sites open in Union County

Tuesday, May 16: Election Day

Questions about voting or ballots?

Voters with any questions regarding the election should contact the county clerk in the county they are registered to vote. The Union County Clerk’s office, 1001 Fourth St., La Grande, can be reached at 541-963-1006.

Want to see if you are registered?

Find out by visiting the Oregon Secretary of State’s My Vote page, https://tinyurl.com/y9szv46a, enter your first and last names and birthdate and click the submit button.

When are Oregon’s elections held?

Oregon has four regular annual elections:

• second Tuesday in March

• third Tuesday in May

• fourth Tuesday in August

• 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.