Oregon AG issues election guidance to law enforcement, urges voters who haven’t received ballot to contact clerk’s office

Oregon Emergency Management offers election info, resources to address hate speech, bias crimes

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With Election Day looming, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is urging any Oregon registered voter who has not yet received their ballot to contact their respective county elections office. By now, all ballots have been mailed and voters should be in possession of their ballots.

“If you are registered to vote, but did not receive your ballot, it’s not too late to get one and vote!  Voting is both a sacred duty and an indispensable right of citizenship, and I want to make sure every registered voter’s voice is heard,” said AG Rosenblum.

Ballots in Oregon can be returned by mail, so long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than seven days after the election. If you wait until Election Day to mail your ballot, it is safest to take it directly to your nearest U.S. Post Office to ensure a timely postmark.

Ballots can also be returned at a county clerk’s office, or at any of the secure, official drop boxes available throughout the state. Ballots will be routed to the county in which the voter is registered to vote.

An important resource for Oregonians is the Voter Protection Hotline, which launched earlier this month. The hotline is managed by the Oregon Department of Justice and will be active until after the election. Its purpose is to help Oregon voters with non-emergency questions and any concerns they might have about the voting process. Messages to the hotline (971-673-4111) are reviewed regularly, with calls returned within 24 hours on weekdays and on Monday following the weekend.

AG Rosenblum says voters should also call the hotline if they suspect or have experienced anything approaching voter intimidation, at a mailbox, ballot drop box or elsewhere.

In addition to providing information to the public about their rights as voters, ODOJ is providing guidance to Oregon law enforcement agencies ahead of the election.

“Interfering with a voter’s right to cast their vote – in any way – is a crime and violators will be held accountable. Our partners in law enforcement are integral to ensuring we have a safe and fair election,” added Rosenblum.

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Notification Process for Elections and Resources for Addressing Hate Speech and Bias Crimes
Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management - 11/01/24 4:51 PM

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to supporting safety, and preparedness during election periods and beyond. OEM emphasizes the importance of addressing hate speech and bias crimes that impact our communities.

Understanding Hate Crimes:

A hate crime is defined as a crime motivated in part or whole by bias against another person’s actual or perceived protected class—including race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Examples of hate crimes include:

• Racist or discriminatory graffiti.
• Theft or destruction of symbols such as Pride flags.
• Threats involving slurs or derogatory language.
• Physical assault based on someone’s identity.

Reporting Hate Crimes:

If you or someone you know experiences a hate crime, it is crucial to report the incident. Oregon residents have access to the following reporting resources:

Non-Emergency Bias Response Hotline
Phone: 1-844-924-BIAS (1-844-924-2427)
Available: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time

Details: Trauma-informed operators are ready to assist. Interpretation services are available in over 240 languages. If you call outside of business hours, please leave a message, and someone will return your call.

Online Reporting:

Bias crimes and incidents can also be reported via the Oregon Department of Justice’s Bias Crime Reporting website.

Support:

An important resource for Oregonians is the Voter Protection Hotline, managed by the Oregon Department of Justice. This hotline, launched earlier this month, will remain active until after the election to assist voters with non-emergency questions and concerns about the voting process. The hotline number is 971-673-4111, and messages are reviewed regularly, with calls returned within 24 hours on weekdays and on Monday following the weekend. Voters should call the hotline if they suspect or have experienced any types of voter intimidation, at a voter drop box or elsewhere.

Trauma-informed support is key when dealing with hate crimes. Being "trauma-informed" means understanding how trauma affects people. It means knowing how trauma can change a person’s feelings, actions and overall well-being. Being trauma-informed means, we create a safe and supportive space to help people heal without making things worse. It's about showing empathy, knowing what the survivor needs, and giving the right care and support.

To learn more about staying informed and reporting bias incidents during the election, please visit the Secretary of State’s and the Department of Justice’s websites.  

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It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.