Candidate and measure filings are accepted by the county Elections Office 57 days before the election. Candidates and measures are precisely arranged according to the Secretary of State's Office. Ballots are proofed by elections staff 53 days before the election.
Ballots can go through up to seven proofing stages before OK given to print ballots.
Ballots are set based on issues on the ballot. This can be anywhere from one to more than 100 different style formats because voters only vote on specific issues related to the precincts they reside in. Test ballots are prepared by printer. Twenty-eight days before the election, the ballots are printed and shipped to Signature Graphics in Portland where the insertion in envelopes and mailing occurs. Eighteen days before the election, ballots are inserted in envelopes over the course of two days, supervised by election staff, using special machines and mailed from Portland Post office to voters.