Oregon’s 540,000 non-affiliated voters face primary deadlines

As part of a public education effort by Oregon’s secretary of state, the Elections Division began sending notifications to the state’s 540,000 non-affiliated voters on Tuesday to help make them aware of their options to participate in the May 17 primary elections.

Oregon will hold three major party primaries by the Democratic Party, the Independent Party of Oregon, and the Republican Party.

Oregon law allows major parties to decide whether to hold “open” or “closed” primaries. In this year’s May Primary, both the Democratic and Republican parties will hold “closed” primaries – meaning that a voter must be registered with that party to participate in its primary election.

The Independent Party of Oregon will hold its first major party primary. Their primary will be “open” to all non-affiliated voters in the state, as well those voters registered as members of the Independent Party of Oregon.

“The public interest in this historic primary election year is high, and for good reason,” said Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins. “The open presidential contest and competitive primaries in many Oregon races are attracting an unprecedented level of interest from Oregon voters. As secretary of state, my responsibility is to make sure Oregonians know their options if they want to participate in a primary election this May.”

The mailer being sent to non-affiliated voters across Oregon describes the three options that non-affiliated voters have in the May 17 primary:

Option 1: Do nothing. Non-affiliated voters will be mailed a ballot that includes all nonpartisan races for which they are eligible.?
? Option 2: Choose to vote in a major party’s Primary Election by joining that major party. Non-affiliated voters can join any one of the three major parties in Oregon: the Democratic Party, the Independent Party, or the Republican Party.

?To join a major political party and participate in that party’s primary, a voter can go online to http://www.oregonvotes.gov and complete the electronic form; OR Complete a paper voter registration form and submit it to their County Elections office. Registration changes must be made by April 26.

Option 3: Choose to Vote in the Independent Party of Oregon Primary Election and remain a non-affiliated voter.

The Independent Party of Oregon has opened its primary to voters who are not members of any party for the May 2016 election. To participate, a voter must return the postcard attached to the mailer being sent to every non-affiliated voter to their local elections office by 5:00 pm on April 26 , 2016 and request the Independent Party of Oregon ballot. These voters will remain designated as non-affiliated, but they will receive an Independent Party of Oregon primary ballot for this May election only. Postcards may be returned by mail (postage required), returned electronically by fax, or attached to an email to your County Clerk ( http://sos.oregon.gov/county ). Each return card is printed with the address of the voter’s county election office, where these requests will be processed.

“Every state has its own method for primary elections and it’s understandable that this process can be confusing,” Atkins said. “With the addition of a third major party this primary election, it is my hope that this mailer helps non-affiliated voters recognize their options to participate in the primary election however they choose, or not to participate if that is their wish.”

The mailers are being sent in two batches, on Tuesday , March 15th and on Monday , March 21st . A supplemental mailing in mid-April will be sent to reach newly registered non-affiliated voters.

Since implementation of the Oregon Motor Voter program in January, at least 19,000 Oregonians have been added to the voter rolls as non-affiliated voters. Voters will continue to be added to the voter rolls each day.

“In addition to the nearly two million voter pamphlets that we will send to every household in Oregon, these letters should serve as a resource to voters,” said Atkins. “There are over 19,000 new, non-affiliated voters in Oregon since Oregon Motor Voter took effect. For some of them, this May will be the first time they participate in an election. Our voter outreach materials are intended to help Oregonians understand their options and make informed decisions about which ballot they receive.”

Even if a voter does not want to participate in an upcoming major party primary, Oregon law allows a voter to change their party affiliation at any time. If you wish to join a major party or a minor party visit www.oregonvotes.gov/parties to view your options. Voters can also visit the Oregon elections website at www.oregonvotes.gov to check their current registration status if they are unsure of their party affiliation.