Although Oregon’s May 20 Primary is weeks away, if you want to vote, there are a few things you’ll need to remember:
1. New voters to Oregon must register to vote by Tuesday, April 29.
2. Current voters in Oregon must update their registration in writing if their residence or mailing address has changed. The voter can accomplish this by:
a. Submitting a new voter registration card to the County Clerk’s Office
b. Updating their registration online at www.oregonvotes.gov , and by selecting “My Vote”
3. During a primary election, the ballot a voter receives is based on their residential address and party affiliation. If a voter wants to change party affiliation the deadline to do so is Tuesday, April 29, and postmarks DO count. To change party affiliation:
a. Submit a new voter registration card to the County Clerk’s Office
b. Update voter’s registration online at oregonvotes.gov , and by selecting “My Vote”
4. Every returned ballot signature is verified against the signature in the voter’s registration. If a voter’s signature has changed, a voter should submit a new voter registration card with their current signature.
5. Remember, there is now an Independent Party in Oregon. If a voter does not want to be affiliated with a party, on the voter registration card they should select “Not a member of a party”
6. Ballots will be mailed on Thursday, May 1, and are not able to be forwarded.
7. Absentee forms are available online and at the County Clerk’s Office, 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend-2nd floor, if a voter will be away from home for one or more elections.
Voter registration cards are available at local city halls, libraries, DMV offices, post offices, county clerk’s offices or online at www.Deschutes.org/clerk or www.oregonvotes.gov.
Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all programs and activities. If you need accommodations to make participation in an event possible or to request this information in an alternate format, please contact me.
