Oregon voters who changed parties may get 2 ballots

Oregon Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins on Monday told voters who changed their party affiliation in the weeks leading up to the April 26 voter registration deadline that they may receive two ballots in the mail.

She said Oregonians should vote with the ballot that reflects their most recent choice of party affiliation. In most cases, that will be the second ballot received in the mail.

“It’s normal for our county clerks to receive a late flood of party registration changes in the days leading up to a primary election,” Atkins said. “Ballots are prepared for mailing two weeks prior to the registration deadline, so Oregonians who changed their party affiliation within two weeks of April 26 may receive two ballots.

“Those voters should wait for the second ballot – the one that reflects the party they recently registered with.”

The secretary of state offered the following guidance for voters who have recently updated their voter registration and receive two ballots.

If you mail in both ballots: The ballot that reflects your updated registration will be the ballot that is counted. If you only mail in your first ballot: Only non-partisan races on the ballot will be tabulated. If you only mail in your second ballot: Your ballot will counted. Please disregard the first ballot.

Atkins said Oregon’s Centralized Voter Registration database has safeguards in place to ensure that voters can cast only one ballot.

If you are concerned that you have received the wrong ballot or you do not receive your ballot by Thursday, May 5 call your county elections office. You can find a list of county clerks at www.oregonvotes.gov/counties .