Be Prepared to Vote in the May Primary

Although Oregon’s May 15, 2012 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 24, 2012.

1. Current voters in Oregon must update their registration in writing if their residence or mailing address has changed. The voter can accomplish this by:
   1. Submitting a new voter registration card to the County Clerk’s Office
   2. Updating their registration online at www.oregonvotes.org

1. 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 24, 2012 and postmarks do not count. To change party affiliation:
   1. Submit a new voter registration card to the County Clerk’s Office
   2. Update voter’s registration online at www.oregonvotes.org

1. 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.

1. Remember, there is now an Independent Party in Oregon. If a voter does not want to be affiliated with any party, select on the voter registration card “Not a member of a party.”

1. Ballots will be mailed on Friday, April 27, 2012 and are not able to be forwarded.

1. Absentee forms are available online and at the County Clerk’s Office if a voter will be away from home for one or more elections.

Voter registration cards are available at city halls, libraries, DMV offices, post offices, county clerk’s offices, the last page of the government section (blue pages) of the Qwest Dex Phone book or online at www.deschutes.org/clerk or www.oregonvotes.org.

For more information, please visit:  www.deschutes.org/clerk or www.oregonvotes.org .

Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all programs and activities. To request this information in an alternate format, please call (541) 330-4640, or send email to anna.johnson@deschutes.org .