Oregon Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-In Deadlines

• Voter Registration: Postmarked at least 21 days before the election
• Absentee Ballot Request: No specific deadline. We recommend requesting your ballot at least 2 weeks before the election
• Absentee Ballot Return: Received by 8pm Election Day

Voter Registration

To register to vote in the state of Oregon you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be a permanent resident of Oregon
• Be 18 years on or before the next election day.  If you register before your 18th birthday,  the next election can be no further than 59 days away.

How to register to vote:

• Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form. 
• You can also use the Oregon voter registration form.  Return your completed form to your County Election Office.  Be sure to enter a current, valid Oregon DMV Driver's License/ID (A suspended Driver's License is still valid, a revoked Driver's License is NOT valid) or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your registration form.  

ID requirements for first-time voters:

You must include your Oregon driver's license number or Oregon state ID card number on your voter registration form. (A suspended Driver's License is still valid, a revoked Driver's License is NOT valid.)  If you do not have any of these numbers, you must provide a copy of your ID with your voter registration form.  If you forget, you need to provide ID the first time you vote. Acceptable forms of ID include a copy of a current and valid photo identification that shows your name OR a paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement, or government document that shows your name and Oregon address.  Elderly, military and overseas voters are expempt from this requirement.

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Good news! Anyone may vote by absentee ballot in the state of Oregon.

How to request an absentee ballot:

Oregon uses a vote by mail system.  If you plan on voting by absentee ballot, we suggest you request your ballot as soon as possible.  Download and complete the Oregon absentee ballot request form.  Mail or hand deliver your completed form to your County Election Official. 

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide a copy of your ID if you've already voted in Oregon at least once.  If you are a first-time Oregon voter and put your  Oregon driver's license number or Oregon state ID card number on your voter registration form, then you must include a COPY of one of the following documents with your absentee ballot request form: A valid photo identification that shows your name OR a paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement, or government document that shows your name and Oregon address.

Absentee ballot instructions:

If you are a long-term absentee voter, or if you are out of the country, Oregon will mail your absentee ballot to you 45 days before the election.  If you are simply out-of-state, Oregon will mail your ballot to you 29 days before the election.  You'll probably want to fill out your ballot as soon as you get it.  Mail your completed ballot back to your County Election Official.  Your absentee ballot must be received by 8pm on Election Day.

Additional Information