Vasquez, Ballweber Wolfer, Hernandez-Mejia, Beyer lead in early Woodburn school board election results

Published 8:53 pm Tuesday, May 20, 2025

By Sophia Cossette

(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the 10:30 p.m. May 20 election results).

Fresh faces may soon be taking the helm of the Woodburn School District board, but two races remain close.

As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, newcomers Michael Vasquez, Debbie Ballweber Wolfer, Anabel Hernandez-Mejia and incumbent Ryan Beyer appear to be leading in initial Woodburn school board election results, though one in particular is a tight race.

While one Woodburn school board seat is unopposed, three seats are up for grabs at the May 20 election, and the results are coming in.

The 10:30 p.m. results for Position 1, a race featuring two newcomers, show Vasquez leading by 52.3%, with Lonnie Benham holding 47.7% of the vote. Just under 120 votes separate them, and ballots are still being received and counted through May 27.

In the Position 2 race, initial results show Ballweber Wolfer leading by 52.5% of the vote, followed by incumbent Noemi Legaspi with 34.5% and Alexander Hunt with 13%.

Another tight race is afoot in Position 3. Initial results show newcomer Hernandez-Mejia leading with 50.9% and incumbent Courtney Elwell with 49.1%. As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, 45 votes separate the two.

Ryan Beyer, incumbent of Position 5, is running unopposed and was elected to remain in his seat.

Current board member Rosie Burkoff is not on the ballot since her term continues until June 2027.

According to the Marion County Clerk, results will be certified by June 16. So far, county ballot returns show a turnout of approximately 8.9%, though not all ballots have been tabulated. Oregon law allows ballots postmarked on Election Day to be counted if received within the following week.

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