How to register to vote in Oregon ahead of April 28 deadline

Ballots for Oregon’s May 19 primary election are days away from being mailed out and the April 28 deadline to register to vote is even sooner.

Voters will be able to weigh in on measures, including the gas tax referendum, local races and more, depending on their party affiliation.

Here’s how to check your registration or register to vote in Oregon.

When is the deadline to register to vote in Oregon’s May primary election?

The deadline to register to vote is April 28.

Ballots will begin being mailed out the next day, April 29, and must be returned or postmarked by May 19, Election Day.

How to register to vote in Oregon

Potential voters can register online at the Oregon Secretary of State’s MyVote website.

A person must be an Oregon resident, U.S. citizen and 16 years old or older to register. Ballots will not be sent to until a registrant is 18 years old.

An Oregon driver’s license, permit or ID number, or the last four digits of the person’s social security number, are needed to register online.

Without one of those, a person can register online, but will have to print out a provided voter registration card and mail or hand deliver it to their local county elections office.

Where are the Marion, Polk county elections offices?

The Marion County Elections office is located in Salem’s Courthouse Square at 555 Court St NE, Suite 2130.

The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Polk County Clerk’s Office is on the second floor of the Polk County Courthouse at 850 Main St. in Dallas.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

How do I know if I’m a registered Oregon voter?

Potential voters can check if they are registered to vote online by providing their first and last name and date of birth.

Registered voters can cancel their registration by contacting their local county elections office.

How do I return my ballot?

Ballots can be returned by mail or at drop box sites.

Marion County and Polk County both provide lists of drop box locations.

Ballots must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

The Secretary of State’s Office recommends people who want to mail their ballots do so before May 12.

Afterwards, voters should use a drop box or go into the post office and ask for a postmark on their ballot.

Oregon counts ballots received up to seven days after Election Day, as long as they were postmarked on or before Election Day.

Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.