Oregon Election Guide

Election 2022 Information for Gearhart, OR

Voter Registration

Registration Deadline: You must submit online registration by 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the 21st calendar day before an election.

Party Affiliation: In Oregon, major parties have the option of choosing a "closed system," meaning only registered voters in that party can vote for candidates of the same party. Or, a major party can choose an "open system" where the major party allows registered voters who are not registered with any party to vote for candidates in their party's Primary Election. 

​Minor parties conduct their nominating elections according to party bylaws. Voters affiliated with a minor political party will be able to vote for nonpartisan races and for measures in the Primary Election, but will not be able to vote for major party candidates.

Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote for nonpartisan races and for measures in the Primary Election, but will not be able to vote for major party candidates. 

All registered voters can participate in the General Election.

You can check your party affiliation status here.

 

Voter Registration Qualifications

Age: Must be at least 16 years old to register. If you are not yet 18 years of age, you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.​​

Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen

Residency: Must be a resident of Oregon

Felony Convictions: Felons who are not incarcerated are eligible to vote in Oregon. Under Oregon law the right to vote is restored automatically upon release from incarceration, but they must re-register or update their registration online or at their county elections office.

ID Requirements: You must provide your valid Oregon Driver's License, Permit, or ID card issued by the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles. A suspended Driver's License is valid, a revoked Driver's License is not valid.

If you do not have a valid Oregon ID, provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

If you do not have a Social Security number or a valid Oregon identification, provide a copy of one of the following acceptable identification:

   -Valid photo identification

   -A paycheck stub

   -A utility bill

   -A bank statement

   -A government document

   -Proof of eligibility under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) or the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act(VAEH)

 

Obtaining a Voter Registration Form

Many voters are automatically registered when they go to the DMV. Learn more about Oregon’s Motor Voter Act

 

Online: Register to vote online.

In person: You can register to vote at any county elections office.

By mail/ in writing: Download and mail a voter registration form to your county elections office.

By fax: Contact your county elections official for faxing options.

 

UPDATE VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

You should update your registration if you move, change your name or mailing address, or want to select or change a political party.​

You can update your voter registration information, until 8 p.m. on Election Day and still cast a ballot. However, if your registration is updated close to an election, your ballot might have to be issued at the county elections office.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

Verifying Your Voter Registration Status

Online: Online voter registration verification

Phone: Contact your county elections office.



Absentee Ballot Qualifications

Who can vote absentee: Registered voters may request an absentee ballot if:

   -You will be on vacation during an election

   -You are a college student living away from home

   -You live part of the year in another state

 

Obtaining an Absentee Ballot

Online: Update your registration on MyVote to include absentee voting.

In person: Obtain an absentee form from your county elections office.

By mail: Mail an Absentee Ballot Request Form to your county elections office.

Military and overseas voting: If you are serving in the armed forces, merchant marines, or temporarily living outside the territorial limits of the United States you can register to vote through the Federal Voting Assistance Program's online system. Eligible voters may also register online with an Oregon driver license or state ID from the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Military and overseas voters have a number of ways to return their ballot:

Ballots are mailed to military and overseas voters at least 45 days before Election day. Ballots may be​ accessed on My Vote and filled in with Oregon's online ballot-marking tool. Ballots must be received (postmarks do not count) by 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

Visit the Military/Overseas Voters' Guide for more information. ​​​​​​​

Due to mail disruptions throughout the world because of COVID-19, all overseas Oregon voters are encouraged to contact their county election official, or email the State Elections Division at elections.sos@sos.​oregon.gov​ to discuss options for you to receive/return your ballot.​

 

Submitting an Absentee Ballot

Your voted ballot must be received by any County Elections office or any designated drop site by 8:00 pm on election night. To find the closest drop site, click on this link



Additional Information

Verifying Registration: online voter registration verification

Deciding how to vote: https://votesmart.org/

Polling Place: Ballots are mailed to your county elections office or you may drop off completed ballots at your local drop box.

ID Requirements: Since voting is done by mail, ID is only required when registering to vote, see voter registration qualifications above to see the ID requirements necessary to register to vote.

How to Vote: ballot help

Getting your vote counted: Track your vote.

Problems with voting: contact your county elections office.

Verifying provisional/absentee ballot status: Track the status of your provisional/absentee ballot through Oregon's My Vote or you can call your county election office.

Election 2022 Ballot Measures

Oregon Exclusion from Re-election for Legislative Absenteeism Initiative

The initiative would amend the Oregon Constitution to disqualify state legislators from re-election following the end of their term if they are absent from 10 legislative floor sessions without permission or excuse. The 10 absences would be deemed disorderly behavior. This would apply to both legislative attendance during regular and special legislative sessions.[1]

Currently, the state constitution authorizes legislative chambers to punish disorderly conduct, including legislative absenteeism, with a two-thirds supermajority vote. Punishment may include the expulsion of a member.

More Information: Click Here

Oregon Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative

Oregon law currently allows persons over age 18 to acquire firearms (federal law requires age 21 for some handgun purchases), seller/ transferor must request criminal background check. Measure requires permit from local law enforcement to acquire firearm; person must pay fee, submit photo ID, fingerprints, complete approved safety training, pass criminal background check, not be prohibited from possessing firearms; officer may deny permit to person believed danger to self or others. Permit issued within 30 days, valid 5 years. Permit denials appealable. Must present permit, pass background check to acquire firearm. State Police creates/ maintains permit/ firearm database. Magazines over 10 rounds, or readily modifiable to exceed 10 rounds, prohibited; exception for current owners /inheritors. Exceptions for law enforcement, armed forces. Criminal penalties. Other provisions.

More Information: Click Here

Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to slavery and involuntary servitude.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances. Authorizes court or probation or parole agency to order convicted person to engage in education, counseling, treatment, community service or other alternative to incarceration. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

More Information: Click Here

Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to obligation of state to ensure access to health care.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution establishing obligation of state to ensure every resident of state access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care. Requires state to balance obligation to ensure health care with funding of public schools and other essential public services. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

More Information: Click Here

Your Elected Officials

Joe Biden
Democratic 
President
Kamala Harris
Democratic 
Vice President
Jeff Merkley
Democratic 
U.S. Senate
District Junior Seat
Ron Wyden
Democratic 
U.S. Senate
District Senior Seat
Suzanne Bonamici
Democratic 
U.S. House
District 1
Tina Kotek
Democratic 
Governor
Cyrus Javadi
Republican 
State House
District 32
Suzanne Weber
Republican, Independent, Libertarian 
State Senate
District 16
Ellen Rosenblum
Democratic 
Attorney General
LaVonne Griffin-Valade
Democratic 
Secretary of State
Andrew Stolfi
 
Commissioner of Insurance
Christina Stephenson
 
Commissioner of Labor and Industries
Lauren Henderson
 
Director of the Department of Agriculture
Megan Decker
 
Public Utilities Commissioner
Letha Tawney
 
Public Utilities Commissioner
Mark Thompson
 
Public Utilities Commissioner
Tobias Read
Democratic 
Treasurer
Jerome Colonna
 
State Board of Education
Kimberly Howard
 
State Board of Education
Guadalupe Martinez Zapata
 
State Board of Education
George Russell
 
State Board of Education
Jennifer Scurlock
 
State Board of Education
Anthony Veliz
 
State Board of Education
Bridgett Wheeler
 
State Board of Education