Register to Vote

The Oregon General Election is November 4, 2008

New registrations must be completed by October 14, but if you are already registered in Oregon, you can change your address and vote up until November 4. Contact your county elections office.

Are You Registered?
You can look yourself up in Oregon's voter registration system! Check State Records

How To Register

Here are two easy ways to register as a Democrat:

Make sure to check "Democratic Party."

Deadlines:
New Registrations must be postmarked by October 14.
Party changes must be received at the Elections office by October 14.
Address changes may be made up until the final day of voting.

Primary Elections

Primary elections are held so the members of a party can choose the party's candidates for office. Members of each party choose their own candidates. Republicans cannot participate in choosing Democratic candidates, and Democrats can't participate in choosing a Pacific Green candidate. Only registered Democrats can vote for Democratic candidates in a primary election. Moreover, if you sign a petition to put a candidate for some other party on the ballot, you have effectively made a choice to participate in that party's election, and you cannot also vote in another party's primary.

If you are already registered, you may change your address anytime up to the day of the election by going to your local county elections office. If you want to change party affiliation, you must re-register, 21 days in advance.

Eligibility

You are eligible to register if:

  • You are a resident of Oregon.
  • You are a United States citizen.
  • You are at least 17 years of age. (You will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.)

Voting in Oregon

To vote in Oregon, you must be registered 21 days prior to the
election. You must be registered at an Oregon address and be able to
receive mail there or at a separate mailing address.

Oregon is a "vote by mail" state. Ballots are all sent through the
mail, and are not forwarded. You must be able to receive mail at the
residence or mailing address on your registration.

Registration in Oregon includes your political party affiliation.
You may choose to be "non-affiliated" - not a member of any party. This
is NOT the same as "Independent", which is actually another political
party.

Identification Requirements

New laws require that people must provide identifying information to register to vote. If you have a current, valid Oregon DMV Driver's License/ID, you must provide that number. If you do not have a current, valid Oregon DMV Driver's License/ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you do not have a current, valid Oregon DMV Driver's License/ID or a Social Security number, you must affirm this on the voter registration card, and if you are registering by mail, you must provide a copy of one of the following:

  • 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)

If you have any questions, contact your county elections office -- or call us, and we'll try to help.