Are You Ready to Vote in the November 6 General Election?

Here are some facts and deadlines for you in preparation for Election Day.

When will ballots be mailed?

Ballots will be mailed on Friday, October 19. Ballots are not forwardable.

What is the Voter Registration Deadline?

For voters new to Oregon, the deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, October 16. Voter registration cards are available at city halls, libraries, DMV offices, post offices, the Deschutes County Clerk’s office or online at www.deschutes.org/clerk or www.oregonvotes.gov.

To register to vote in Oregon, you must be:

1.         A resident of Oregon

2.         A United States citizen.

3.         At least 17 years of age. (If you are 17 years of age, you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18^th birthday.)

When should I update my registration?

1. Your residence or mailing address changes
2. Your name changes
3. Your signature changed
4. You wish to change your party affiliation

How do I update my voter registration?

Current voters in Oregon must update their registration in writing if their residence or mailing address has changed. You 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

How do I get an absentee ballot?

Forms to request an absentee ballot are available online at www.deschutes.org/clerk and at the County Clerk’s office if a voter will be away from home for one or more elections.

Where is the Deschutes County Clerk’s office located?

The address for the Deschutes County Clerk’s office is 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, in Bend. The Clerk’s office is on the upper floor of the building.

How do I mark the ballot?

To complete your ballot, use a pen (black or blue ink).

What is the deadline to submit my ballot?

Ballots must be delivered to an official drop site by 8 pm on Election Day. Oregon voter’s can drop their ballot off at any official drop site in the state and that county election office will forward the ballot to the right county election office. Postmarks do not count.

Do not mail ballots after Thursday, November 1^st. Drop the ballot by an official drop site location to ensure your ballot is received by the deadline to be counted.

Why do I have to sign my ballot envelop?

Every returned ballot signature is verified against the voter’s registration card. It is extremely important to have a current signature on file. A ballot must be signed to be counted. If your signature has changed, submit a new voter registration card. If you are unable to sign your signature an attestation form is available. For information on the attestation process, contact the County Clerk’s Office.

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

Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all programs and activities. This event/location is accessible to people with disabilities. If you need accommodations to make participation possible, or to request this information in an alternate format please contact Anna Johnson (see below).