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Voting & Elections Toolkits

Voting and advocacy resources by librarians for librarians

Voter Registration in Oregon

Eligibility

To register to vote in Oregon, you must be:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • Have established a residential address in Oregon ("what is my residential address" - FAQ)
  • At least 16 years old (If you are not yet 18 years of age, you will not receive a ballot or be eligible to vote until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.)

Since January 2016, the Oregon Motor Voter Act makes voter registration automatic, shifting from an opt-in process to an opt-out process. It eliminates the need to fill out the voter registration card for those with qualifying interactions (applying for, renewing, or replacing an Oregon drivers’ license, ID card, or permit) at the DMV. Instead, eligible Oregonians will receive a mailing from the Oregon Elections Division explaining their options for registering to vote.​ (Motor Voter Act of 2016).

For more information, please visit the Oregon Secretary of State website.

Deadline

Oregon is a Vote-By-Mail state for all elections. Registered voters receive a ballot via USPS mail two to three weeks before an election.

  • Deadline to register to vote for 2024 Presidential Primary & State Primary: April 30, 2024
  • Deadline to register to vote for 2024 General Election: October 15, 2024
  • A new registrant must submit their online registration by 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the 21st calendar day before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.​
  • Current registrants may update their existing registration 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 your county elections office.​​​
    • Check your voter registration status here
  • Election Calendars:

Oregon Motor Voter Act

Since January 2016, the Oregon Motor Voter Act makes voter registration automatic, shifting from an opt-in process to an opt-out process. It eliminates the need to fill out the voter registration card for those with qualifying interactions (when an eligible unregistered voter (over 16 years old, an Oregon resident, and a US citizen) visits the DMV to apply for, renew, or replace an Oregon drivers’ license, ID card, or permit) at the DMV. Instead, eligible Oregonians will receive a mailing from the Oregon Elections Division explaining their options for registering to vote.​ ​

 

For voters that do not have a qualifying interaction at the DMV:

Online registration

Register using the online portal (multilingual).

To register online, you need an Oregon driver's license, permit or ID card number issued by the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV).

Mail-in registration

Print a registration form (PDF), review ID requirements, fill it out, and return to your county elections office 21 days before Election Day. Printed registration forms are available at your county elections offices and some public libraries.

Updating registration      

If you have an Oregon driver license or state ID card, you can update your information entirely online

  1. Go To My Vote.
  2. Enter your name and date of birth. Click Submit
  3. Select Update Registration at the bottom of the page.
  4. Answer the two eligibility questions and other required information on the next screen. Click Continue.
  5. Make any necessary changes, then verify the information is correct. Click Submit.

MyVote​ will send your registration information to your county election officials, who will update your record. This usually takes a few days.

A name change needs to be updated by completing a new paper registration form and returning it to your county elections office.

Cancelling registration

To cancel voter registration and be removed from the voter rolls, contact the county in which you registered. You can check your registration information in the My Vote portal to confirm the county where you are registered. 

ID Requirements for Oregon Voters

ID Requirements for Registration

Online Registration

For online voter registration, a Oregon drivers license or state ID is required.

  • If you do not have an Oregon driver's license, permit or ID card, you can still use the online voter registration application. The information you enter will display on a voter registration card (PDF document) that you will need to print, sign and deliver to your county elections office to complete your registration.

Mail-in Registration

  • You must provide your valid Oregon Driver's License, Permit or ID number.
    • 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 (SSN).
    • If you do not have a valid Oregon ID or SSN, provide a copy of one of the following for proof of residency:
      • valid photo identification
      • a paycheck stub
      • 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)

If you are going to the DMV for an Oregon driver's license, ID or permit:

Under the Oregon Motor Voter Act, when an eligible unregistered voter (over 16 years old, an Oregon resident, and a US citizen) goes to the DMV to apply for, renew, or replace an Oregon drivers’ license, ID card, or permit, they will automatically be registered to vote and will receive a mailing from the Oregon Elections Division explaining their options for registering to vote. 

 

ID Requirements for Voting

Oregon is a vote-by-mail state, so photo IDs are not required to vote since voting is done through mail.

Where to get an ID

Department of Motor Vehicles

Obtaining a Driver’s License

Casting a Ballot in Oregon

Important Dates

  • Primary Election: May 21, 2024
  • General Election: November 5, 2024

Absentee voting

Oregon is a vote by mail state, so all elections are conducted by mail.

Students attending an out-of-state college or voters traveling during an election can still receive a ballot.

Polling places and hours

  • Oregon is a vote-by-mail state.
  • Registered voters receive ballot 2-3 weeks prior to an election.
  • Ballot returns can be stamped and dropped off at an official drop box.
  • Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.​

 

Rides to the polls

Oregon is a vote-by-mail state.

Help for voters with disabilities

Any Oregon voter can get assistance to:

  • register to vote
  • vote their ballot
  • return their ballot

You can also get help from a care provider, family member or other trusted person. Under Oregon law you cannot receive help from your employer, an agent of the employer, or a union officer or agent of a union of which you are a member. 

Call your County Elections Office or 866-673-8683 to get assistance.

TTY: 800-735-2900 for the hearing impaired

Ballots

Voters' pamphlets are sent to Oregon residents two to three weeks before an election, giving time to research issues or candidates.
Registered voters also receive an official ballot to complete and insert into the security envelope which is placed in the ballot return envelope and signed by the voter. The ballot return envelope can be mailed or dropped off at any official drop box​ ​across the state.

Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.​

Drop Box Locator: ​The Drop Box Locator will be available​ 20 days before the next statewide election. For more information about drop box locations for a county, contact the County Elections Official​​.​

Ballot Help

Candidate Filing Search

Initiatives, Referendums, and Referrals

Elections

Primaries vs. general elections

  • In Oregon, primary elections are held in May, of even-numbered years, to select candidates for the general election.
  • 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.
    • Example of the "closed system": If you are registered with the Democratic Party, you may vote for Democratic candidates, nonpartisan candidates and local or state measures. You cannot vote for a candidate from any other party in the Primary Election.​
    • Example of the "open system": The Republican Party can announce they are going to "open" their Primary Election so people who are not registered with any party can vote for Republican candidates in addition to, the nonpartisan candidates and local or state measures.
  • All registered voters can participate in the General Election.​

 

Jurisdiction

Offices/Measures That May Appear on the Ballot

Federal (even years)

President/Vice-President (elected every four years)

Senator (elected every six years for staggered terms)

Representative (elected every two years)

State (even years)

Governor/Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, Judges of Probate (elected every four years)

State Senator (elected every two years)

State Representative (elected every two years)

Statewide ballot measures

Municipal (odd years)

School Board and other boards and commissions

Mayor or First Selectman

Town Clerk

Registrar of Voters

Tax Collector

Treasurer

Aldermen or Selectmen

Constable

Local ballot measures

Who are the candidates, and what else is on the ballot?

Voters' ballots are sent to Oregon residents two to three weeks before an election, giving time to research issues or candidates.

Candidate Filing Search

Initiatives, Referendums, and Referrals

Important Dates

Deadline to register to vote in 2024 Primary Election: April 30, 2024

Primary Election: May 21, 2024

Deadline to register to vote for 2024 General Election: October 15, 2024

General Election: November 5, 2024

Oregon Elections Calendar

Who conducts elections?

  • The Oregon Secretary of State is the Commissioner of Elections and oversees statewide and local elections.
  • County elections offices are responsible for mailing ballots and registering voters.

Where to go with complaints about candidates or how elections are conducted

Any person who believes that a violation of Title III of the federal Help America Vote Act has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur may file a complaint form with the office of the Secretary of State.

​​​​If you believe a violation of Oregon election law has occurred, you may want to proceed with a formal complaint with the Elections Division. Under ORS 260.345(1), complaints must be from an individual registered to vote in Oregon, and the complaint must be signed. Please note that communications with the Elections Division pertaining to your complaint are subject to disclosure under public records law.

Your complaint must be in writing, must be signed, and filed no later than 90 calendar days after the election at which the violation is alleged to have occurred or 90 calendar days after the violation itself is alleged to have occurred, whichever is later.

An investigation request may be filed:

  • ​by filling out an online form with details about the allegation and uploading supporting evidence. 
  • sending a signed request by mail to Elections Division, 255 Capitol St. NE Suite 126, Salem, OR 97310-1342. Please attach all relevant documentation with your complaint. 

Anonymous complaints will not be investigated.

Campaign finance

The public can search and access campaign finances information by using Oregon Elections System for Tracking and Reporting (ORESTAR).

Search for committee by name or portion of name

Search by election year

How to contact your elected officials:

Contact your Statewide Elected Officials

Contact your State Representatives by District

Contact your State Senators by District

 

General Resources on Voting and Elections

General Resources on Voting and Elections


Election Protection Hotlines


1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) (en Español)

1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) (Asian multilingual assistance)

1-844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) (Arabic)


Voter Registration & Election Day Resources

Find useful voter information including:

  • Local Election Office and Contact Information
  • Address, Telephone and Email for Local Election Offices
  • Upcoming Federal Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Upcoming State Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Identification Requirements
  • Voter Materials Transmission Options
  • State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered? Where’s my Ballot?

Population-Specific information and Resources

Voting Rights: Laws, Cases, Policy

Voter Engagement

Voter Education

Campaign Finance/Funding Information

Primary Sources, Lesson Plans & Exhibits

Disclaimer

Librarians from the Government Documents Round Table (GODORT), a Round Table of the American Library Association (ALA), created these reference guides. These guides are intended for informational purposes only and are not in any way intended to be legal advice.

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These guides are designated with a Creative Commons license and re-use and modification for educational purposes is encouraged.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.