NEWPORT — When Oregon became the first “vote by mail” state in 2000 most residents lost one of Election Day’s most memorable rituals: going to the voting booth.

That symbol of citizenship and voting security is sorely missed as the U.S. Mail — a foundation of “vote by mail” laws — is being blamed by state elections officials for jeopardizing the votes of thousands of Oregon residents.

Fortunately, the tradition of in-person voting will live on at the Lincoln County Courthouse where a voting booth will be set up in county clerk Amy Southwell’s 2nd floor office on election day, May 19, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The practice has been going on for several years, allowing voters to bring in their ballots and still experience the confidence a polling booth gives.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Tobias Read warned voters that Tuesday, May 12 was the last recommended day to return ballots by mail. After that, Oregonians’ best option is to return their ballot to an official ballot drop box, such as the nearest city hall.

Read blamed recent USPS service cuts to USPS, saying a ballot mailed mail within one week of Election Day risks not being postmarked by Election Day. Ballots must also be received by the county within the 7-day post-election grace period. Generally, mail must travel all the way to Portland for processing and postmarking before being delivered to their local county election office.

For voters who need to mail their ballot, Secretary Read encourages them to go into the Post Office and request a manual postmark.

“Oregonians who make their choices and cast their vote should not have that vote discounted due to cuts at the Postal Service,” Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said. “Official ballot drop boxes are the best way to ensure your vote will get counted and your voice heard.”

The Secretary of State’s Office offers an online tool to locate the ballot drop box closest to you. Ballots must be returned to a drop box before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.