Voting Matters: Your Guide to Voter Registration
Meadowlark GOTV 2024
Register to Vote Today!
This week’s presidential debate was a powerful reminder of how critical this election really is. The decisions we make now will shape the future, and every vote counts. It's time to speak up—voting isn’t just a right, it’s our chance to steer things in the right direction.
Whether it’s about a woman’s right to make decisions over her own body, climate impact and action, national security, and so many more issues around humanity, equality, and dignity, the choice we make with our vote will drive positive change. Think about it: your vote matters.
And for those frazzled or burned out on the whole election process, or the candidates just aren't to your liking, or you feel like it doesn't matter because “what’s one vote gonna do,”…we hear you. But let’s be clear: not taking action makes you just as complicit in the outcome, so be prepared to own it regardless of whether it suits you or not.
Get Out the Vote (GOTV)
As a kick-off, let’s dig into the first of many blogs about how you can use your voting power to do some good—for you, for the future, Taylor Swift, or whatever passion and motivation moves you to make a difference.
Registering to Vote
It’s already been four years since 2020, which means November 5th is another general election. It’s always best practice to head into an election year with some background knowledge of the candidates and their positions, and we’re here to help!
Oregon is the only state in the country to vote 100% by mail! We are also one of the few states that sends a voter information guide along with the ballot. We, as Oregonians, have fewer excuses not to vote than those who live in other states, and our vote matters!
In Oregon, your vote matters, and it’s comparatively easy. Voting is a civic duty, and it’s pretty easy in our state. Here’s how you can make your voice heard this November.
Register Online, By Mail, or In-Person
Online Registration
Visit the Oregon Secretary of State's My Vote Portal.
By Mail
Download a Voter Registration Card from the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.
Fill out the form and mail it to your county elections office: Voter Registration form.
In-Person
You can also register at the county elections office (see below for Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas County) or any Oregon DMV office.
When Do I Need to Update My Registration?
Changing party affiliation
Changing mailing addresses
Name change: In-person for a signature reference.
The Deadline to Register for November’s election is October 15th.
According to the Secretary of State, also known as the chief election officer, registration deadlines and methods are as follows:
In-person at local election office: Oct 15 close of business
Online : Oct 15 by 11:59 p.m. PDT
By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 15
What do I need to register?
To register to vote in Oregon, you must be:
A U.S. citizen
A resident of Oregon
Be at least 16 years old (though you can’t vote until age 18).
If you are not yet 18 years of age, you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.
More information on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.
Identification
To register online, you will need an Oregon driver's license permit or ID card issued by the DMV.
If you do not have any of the identification listed above, you can still fill out the application, and it will display on a PDF voter registration card. You will need to print, sign, and deliver to the county elections to complete your registration.
Information and Locations
Secretary of State
Website: Current Election Page
Oregon Elections Division: Call 503-986-1518 or email elections.sos@sos.oregon.gov.
Multnomah County
Tim Scott, Director of Elections
1040 S.E. Morrison St.
Portland, OR 97214-2417
503-988-VOTE (8683)/ TTY 800-735-2900
Fax: 503-988-3719
elections@multco.us
https://www.multco.us/elections
Washington County
Joe Nelson, Interim Director Assessment & Taxation
Dan Forester, Elections Manager
2925 NE Aloclek Dr., Ste 170
Hillsboro, OR 97124-7523
503-846-5800/TTY 800-735-2900
Fax: 503-846-5810
elections@washingtoncountyor.gov
https://www.washingtoncountyor.gov/elections
Clackamas County
Catherine McMullen, Clackamas County Clerk
1710 Red Soils Ct., Suite 100
Oregon City, OR 97045-4300
503-655-8510/TTY 503-655-1685
Fax: 503-655-8461
elections@clackamas.us
https://www.clackamas.us/elections
Fun Facts
*Source: Ballotpedia
