Today is the last day to register to vote in Nov. 5 election; Oregon DOJ activates Voter Protection Hotline

(Adding Oregon attorney general, Office of Emergency Management announcements)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Today, Tuesday, Oct. 15, is the deadline to register to vote to receive a ballot for the November General Election, the Oregon Secretary of State's Office reminded Oregonians, as the state Department of Justice activated the Attorney General's Voter Protection Hotline.

County clerks will begin mailing ballots tomorrow, Wednesday October 16, to all registered voters in Oregon. Voters can fill out their ballot and return it anytime through Election Day on Tuesday, November 5^th. Ballots must be postmarked on or before that date, or dropped off by 8 p.m., to be counted.

You can register to vote online at OregonVotes.gov/register — it takes less than three minutes.

Here's the rest of the secretary of state's announcement:

“Voting in Oregon feels good because we make it quick and easy to register to vote,” said Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade. “As of this October, more than 3 million Oregonians are already registered to vote. It’s not too late — register to vote today and make your voice heard.”

Oregonians may also choose to register by completing a voter registration form and returning it to a county elections office.

Already registered? You can use our My Vote tool to view your voter registration information and make any necessary updates, including if you recently moved or changed your name.

For more information, visit our website: OregonVotes.gov

###

What you need to know about the 2024 General Election

• The deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration is October 15, 2024.
• Ballots will be sent out starting October 16, 2024.
• Election Day is November 5, 2024. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. or postmarked on this day to be counted.
• Return your ballot in the mail, at a county clerk’s office, or at any of the secure, official drop boxes available throughout the state. Your ballot will be routed to the county in which you are registered to vote for processing.
• The postmark law, passed in 2021, allows ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to count as long as they’re received no later than 7 days after the election. For this reason, election results may be delayed because it will take a few days for all the votes to be counted.
• Preliminary results will be available on the Secretary of State website starting at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• The 2024 elections will be the most secure elections in history. Learn all the ways we protect your vote at OregonVotes.gov/Integrity

--

Attorney General Reminds Oregonians of Voter Registration Deadline: Spoiler alert...: It’s TODAY!!! October 15 at 11:59 pm. 
DOJ Activates Voter Protection Hotline

Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is reminding Oregonians that the deadline to register to vote in the November 5th general election is 11:59 pm tonight, Tuesday, October 15. Oregonians who are unsure of their registration status can check their status via the Secretary of State’s website.

“Voting is both a duty and a right,” said AG Rosenblum. “We in Oregon are fortunate our vote-by-mail system is safe, secure, and convenient.”

Rosenblum also announced today that the Oregon Department of Justice has activated its Attorney General’s Voter Protection Hotline at 971-673-4111. The hotline, which is staffed by the Oregon DOJ, and runs until after the election, is there to help Oregon voters with non-emergency questions and any concerns they might have about the voting process.  Messages to the hotline are reviewed regularly, with most calls returned within 24 hours on weekdays and on Mondays following the weekend.

Rosenblum says voters should call the hotline if they suspect or have experienced any types of voter intimidation, at a voter drop box or elsewhere.

DOJ has also created a one-pager with information about the hotline and to ensure Oregonians understand how their right to vote is protected, and what types of actions and behaviors are prohibited by state law—such as harassing an election worker, obstructing a ballot drop-off place, or engaging in unlawful paramilitary activity.

Finally, if you wait until Election Day to vote, AG Rosenblum encourages those voters to take their ballot directly to the nearest US Post Office for mailing or to use an official ballot drop box (the Secretary of State has a drop-box locator, but check with your county elections office for the most up-to-date list of official sites near you). Your ballot must be received or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

--

Secretary of State, Oregon Department of Emergency Management remind Oregonians to register to vote
Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management - 10/15/24 12:30 PM

As we approach critical deadlines for voter registration and ballot returns, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, in partnership with the Secretary of State, reminds Oregonians of important voting information. With increased misinformation, you must rely on credible sources for all election-related updates and instructions. 

Key Registration Deadlines – Today, October 15 

• In-Person Registration: You can register at your local election office until the close of business today. 
• Online Registration: Register online at OregonVotes.gov/register by 11:59 p.m. PDT. 

Remember, you must be an actively registered voter to receive a ballot. If you have questions about your registration status, or if you need to update your information, visit the Secretary of State’s official website at OregonVotes.gov/MyVote. 

Voting Timeline and Deadlines 

1. Ballot Mailing: Ballots will be sent to all actively registered voters starting October 16. 
2. Ballot Return Deadlines:
   • Mail Return: Ensure your ballot is postmarked by USPS by November 5. 
   • In-Person Return: Drop off your ballot by November 5 at 8:00 p.m. PST at an official ballot drop box. 

Tips for Ensuring You Have Accurate Voting Information 

To help you spot false information and find accurate information during this election season, follow these simple tips: 

• Use trusted sources. For voting information, rely on the official Oregon Secretary of State’s website, county clerks and elections officials, and other reputable government sites. 
• Verify and cross-check. Check multiple credible sources to ensure consistent and accurate information. 
• Beware of misleading headlines. Sensational headlines often accompany false information. If it seems geared at making you angry or evoking a strong emotional reaction, be wary. Always read the full article and fact-check claims using reputable sources. 
• Look at other reports. If no other news source is reporting the same story, it may indicate that the story is false. If the story is reported by multiple sources you trust, it's more likely to be true. 
• Is the story a joke? Sometimes false news stories can be hard to distinguish from humor or satire. Check whether the source is known for parody and whether the story's details and tone suggest it may be just for fun. 
• Some stories are intentionally false. Think critically about the stories you read, and only share the news you know to be credible. 

Making a plan to vote ahead of these deadlines ensures your vote will count. Visit OregonVotes.gov for more information on locating your nearest drop box and accessing other voting resources. 

For additional assistance, contact the Secretary of State’s Office or the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Voting is a fundamental right, and we encourage all eligible Oregonians to make their voices heard in this election.