DECISION 2026: Deadline looms for Oregon voters to register or change party affiliation
(UPDATE: Adding Quotes from Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The final day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the May 19 primary election is Tuesday night at 11:59 p.m.
Deschutes County is preparing for a record number of voters, with more than 168,000 registered.
Key Races and Measures
This election features several important races, including four open seats for the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, commissioner races in Crook and Jefferson counties, and a key referendum on the Oregon Department of Transportation funding bill.
This election is also drawing voter interest due to the referendums, county commissioner races and a hotly contested governor’s race.
Voter Growth Since 2016
The number of registered voters in Deschutes County has grown by more than 60% since 2016, increasing from 109,000 to more than 168,000.
This growth was significantly impacted by the “Motor Voter” law, which went into effect in 2016. Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison noted the continued increase in voter registration.
“We’ve seen the incremental growth over the last few years. I would say even since Motor Voter went into effect in 2016, that growth was significant. It’s leveled off a little bit, but we’re still seeing an increase in the number of registered voters here in Deschutes County,” Dennison said.
Voter Eligibility and Registration
To be eligible to register to vote in Oregon, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Oregon and at least 16 years old. However, voters must be 18 years old to cast a ballot.
Prospective voters are required to provide their Oregon driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. They must also affirm, under penalty of law, that they meet all eligibility requirements and that the provided information is accurate.
Oregonians can register or update their voter information online at OregonVotes.gov or by visiting their local county elections office.
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read emphasized the state’s commitment to an accessible and secure election system.
“Oregon has worked hard to make our vote-by-mail election system a national gold standard for access and integrity,” Read said. “Registering to vote takes only minutes and opens the door for eligible citizens to hold politicians accountable and decide the direction of our state.”
Ballot Mailing and Voting Timeline
Local elections officials will begin sending ballots to registered voters in the next few days, and voting can begin on May 1.
Ballot Return Options
Voters have two methods to return their completed ballots: through the U.S. Postal Service using the provided envelope or by dropping them off at official drop boxes located throughout the county.
Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison provided guidance for voters mailing their ballots closer to Election Day.
“If it’s getting closer to Election Day, toward the end of the week before Election Day, bring it to the post office, bring it to the counter and ask them to hand postmark or hand cancel it,” Dennison said.
If a ballot is sent by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Once postmarked, the ballot has one week to be received by the county clerk’s office to be counted.
Official drop boxes are collected by a team of two people on a regular basis. Ballots must be submitted to a drop box by 8 p.m. on May 19.
Party Affiliation Deadline
The April 29 deadline also applies to registered voters who need to update their information, such as declaring a political party, to be eligible for closed primary election races across the state.
An uptick in registrations has been observed online and in person as people prepare for the primary.
Ballots will be sent to registered voters in the next few days. Voting can begin on May 1. Voters must return their ballots via an official drop box by 8 p.m. on May 19. Alternatively, if mailed, ballots must be postmarked by May 19 and received by the county clerk’s office within one week of Election Day.
