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Oregon · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Elections Office (county level - each of Oregon's 36 counties) / Oregon Secretary of State, Elections Division (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Oregon resident (any address or physical location that describes where you live, even without a traditional home address), at least 16 years old to register (will receive ballot on or after 18th birthday), not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, and not disqualified by court order
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE (My Vote): sos.oregon.gov/elections/pages/registration.aspx - Oregon's online voter registration portal (My Vote); requires Oregon DMV driver's license, permit, or ID number; OR last 4 digits of SSN (with ability to sign electronically or upload signature); register at any time; must be received 21 days before election to vote in that election
  4. BY MAIL: Download Oregon voter registration form from sos.oregon.gov; complete, sign, mail to your County Elections Office; must be postmarked by 21st day before election
  5. IN PERSON: County Elections Office; Oregon DMV offices (automatic registration); Oregon libraries; many government agencies; in-person deadline: 21 days before election
  6. AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION: Oregon has automatic voter registration through the DMV - eligible individuals are automatically registered when interacting with the DMV; can opt out
  7. ELECTION DAY UPDATES: Registered voters may update their registration information (name change, address change within county) through 8 PM on Election Day at the county elections office; you can still cast a ballot even with late updates
  8. Submit registration by 21 days before Election Day
  9. Receive voter ID card; ballot will be mailed 14-18 days before each election
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
- Oregon driver's license, permit, or DMV ID number (for online); OR last 4 digits of SSN; OR signature upload/in-person signature if neither
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE (new registrations): 21 days before Election Day REGISTRATION UPDATES: May be made through 8 PM on Election Day at county elections office; ballot issued at county office if updated close to election AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION: YES - through Oregon DMV VOTE BY MAIL: ALL registered Oregon voters automatically receive ballots by mail 14-18 days before election; no application needed; ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after Election Day DROP BOXES: Available throughout Oregon; no postage needed; drop boxes are located across each county REGISTER AT 16: 16 and 17-year-olds may register; will receive ballots starting with elections occurring on or after their 18th birthday NO SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: New registrations must be received 21 days before election; existing registrants may update through Election Day CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: sos.oregon.gov/elections/pages/my-vote.aspx (My Vote portal) ONLINE OPTION: Yes - sos.oregon.gov (My Vote for registration and ballot tracking); VoteOregon.org WHERE TO GO: Online via My Vote portal; Oregon DMV (automatic registration); County Elections Office; libraries and government agencies
Online Option
Yes - sos.oregon.gov (My Vote for registration and ballot tracking); VoteOregon.org
Where to Go
Online via My Vote portal; Oregon DMV (automatic registration); County Elections Office; libraries and government agencies
County-specific variations apply

Each of Oregon's 36 counties has its own elections office administering elections. Multnomah County (Portland), Washington County, Clackamas County, Lane County (Eugene), Marion County (Salem), and Jackson County (Medford) have the most resources. Drop box locations vary by county - check your county elections website for locations and hours.

Oregon Notes

Important state-specific details

  • OREGON VOTES BY MAIL - all registered voters receive a ballot; no in-person polling places except county elections offices (and some limited drop-off locations); no traditional Election Day polling.
  • Oregon was the FIRST STATE to adopt vote-by-mail statewide (1998); pioneering system.
  • AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION through DMV.
  • Can pre-register at 16 - ballots arrive automatically on or after 18th birthday.
  • FELONY VOTING RIGHTS: restored IMMEDIATELY upon release from prison - parole and probation do NOT restrict voting in Oregon; only currently incarcerated individuals cannot vote; rights automatically restored upon discharge or parole; must re-register after release. Note: if subsequently incarcerated for violation of parole terms, rights withdrawn again while reincarcerated.
  • SIGNATURE VERIFICATION: Oregon counties verify signatures on ballot return envelopes against registration signature; notify voter if signature issue and allow cure within 14 days after election.
  • No ID required for returning a mail ballot; signature is the verification; ID required if registering online for first time.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Oregon Secretary of State, Elections - sos.oregon.gov/elections | (503) 986-1518; VoteOregon.org; County Elections Office (varies by county)