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 may be mailed to the appropriate county elections office.
A signed ballot may be faxed or emailed if the voter completes and returns the Secret Ballot Waiver Form.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
