Upcoming Elections
2010 Special Election: 01/26/10
Several special elections are scheduled in Oregon in 2009, click here for 2009 Election Calendar.
Polling Place Hours: Oregon is a Vote by Mail state. Therefore, if you are a registered voter, a ballot will automatically be mailed to you for each election that you are eligible to vote in. Each County Elections Office also has voting booths. The booths accommodate any voters who would prefer to vote at a polling place, as well as voters with special needs.
Voter Registration Information
Click here for an Oregon Voter Registration Guide created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
Registration Deadlines
21 days before an election
Identification Required for Registration
To register to vote, complete the voter registration form online, print it out and sign it. You can fill out the form online, but will still need to print, sign and mail it in. Mail the form to your county elections official or drop it off in person. You must provide acceptable ID information to register to vote. If you have a current, valid Oregon driver's license or ID, you must provide that number on your voter registration form. If you do not have either of these items, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number on your voter registration form. If you do not have any of these items, you must affirm this on the voter registration form and provide a copy of one of the following with your voter registration form:
- 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)
How to Check Registration
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Contact your County Election Office
Voting Information
Identification Required to Vote
Oregon has a vote by mail process. Instead of using traditional polling places where voters go to cast ballots on Election Day, a ballot is mailed to each registered voter. The ballot is then voted and returned to the county election office to be counted. In Oregon, ballots will be mailed any time between 14 and 18 days before the election. After it is voted, the ballot may be mailed or hand-delivered to the county election office. In order to be counted, the ballot must be received by the county election office or designated drop site no later than 8:00 pm on Election Day. Postmarks do not count. If you are a registered voter, your ballot will be automatically sent to you. You can call 1-866-ORE-VOTES or contact your county election office to make sure your vote was received. You will need to sign the return envelope of your ballot. Your signature will be matched with your voter registration card to verify your identity.
How to Find Your Polling Place
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Oregon has a vote by mail process. Instead of using traditional polling places where voters go to cast ballots on Election Day, a ballot is mailed to each registered voter. Each County Elections Office also has voting booths. The booths accommodate any voters who would prefer to vote at a polling place, as well as voters with special needs.
Absentee Voting
Click here to visit GoVoteAbsentee.org, a resource for absentee voters.
Out of state voters that are not long term absentee voters have their ballots mailed no sooner than the 29th day before the election. Long term and military absentee ballots (including all out of country ballots) are mailed 45 days before the election.
You may apply for absentee voter status if you live out of state or if you know that you will be absent for the election (i.e., you will be out of town prior to the election and are putting your mail on hold.) Absentee ballots are available 45 days before the election. To apply for absentee voter status: obtain an absentee ballot request form from your county elections office or the secretary of state's office, fill out the form, and return it to your county elections office in person, via US mail or fax. If you prefer, your absentee ballot request can remain valid for all future elections until you notify your county elections official otherwise or you move out of the county. Long-term absentee voters include persons living outside the territorial limits of the United States and District of Columbia, and their spouses.
Early Voting
Since Oregon conducts all its elections by mail, "early voting" is permitted in the sense that a voter can return the ballot by mail earlier than Election Day, provided that the ballot is received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses
You will need to re-register to vote when:
- You move
- You change your name
- You change your political party choice
Information for People with Felony Convictions
Voter is eligible upon completion of sentence, including probation or parole.
For more information, go to the Secretary of State's website.
