- Am I eligible to vote?
- How do I register to vote?
- When do I need to update my registration?
- Is my registration current?
- Where can you can find voter registration cards?
- Do I need to provide identification?
- What is the registration deadline?
- If I submit a temporary change of address through the USPS, will my ballot be forwarded?
- What if I've moved?
- I will be out of town when ballots are mailed (20 days prior to the election date). How do I get a ballot?
- What if I become a U.S. Citizen after the registration deadline?
- Do I have to re-register for each election?
- Can I transfer my voter registration from another state?
- How do I know whether I am properly registered?
- Can I request assistance in registering to vote or marking my ballot?
- How do I cancel my voter registration?
- I have changed my name?
- Why is there "CONTAINS VOTE ON PROPOSED TAX INCREASE" on my Ballot Envelope?
- How to I make sure my ballot is postmarked before 8pm on Election Day?
- Can I pick up a replacement ballot for another person?
You may register to vote if:
- You are an Oregon resident.
- You are a U.S. Citizen or will become one before Election Day. (See below.)
- You are at least 16 years of age.
If you are 16 years of age, you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.
- You can register online using the Oregon Secretary of State's My Vote.
- You can fill out and print the registration form and then deliver the form to your county elections office by mail or in-person.
When do I need to update my registration?
- When you move or change your mailing address.
- You change your name. If your name has changed, please use the paper registration form and submit it to your county election official so we can record your new signature.
- You wish to change your party affiliation.
- Your ballot is not forwardable mail. You must update your registration with your county elections office to receive a ballot at your new address.
- To view your registration status, please use the Oregon Secretary of State's online Voter Registration Lookup.
- If you have any questions about your voter registration, please call Multnomah County Elections at 503-988-8683.
Where can you can find voter registration cards?
- Online at the Oregon Secretary of State's website.
- At your County Elections office.
- At post offices, libraries, schools and DMV offices.
- In a PDF format at the Oregon Secretary of State website at: Oregon Voter Registration.
Do I need to provide identification?
- You must provide your valid Oregon Driver's License, Permit or ID number. A suspended Driver's License is valid, a revoked Driver's License is not valid.
- If you do not have valid Oregon ID, provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- If you do not have a Social Security number or valid Oregon identification, provide a copy of one of the following that shows your name and current address:
- acceptable identification:
- valid photo identification
- a paycheck stub
- a utility bill
- a bank statement
- a government document
- proof of eligibility under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) or the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (VAEH)
- acceptable identification:
What is the registration deadline?
- In order to vote your registration card must be postmarked or received 21 days prior to Election Day.
- Party registration changes must be received at an elections office by the registration deadline.
- NO. Ballots are not forwardable. It is one of the security features of our vote-by-mail system. You must inform election officials of your new or temporary address in order to have your ballot sent there.
- To temporarily change your address, please request an absentee ballot to your forwarding address, or use our online change of address to update your address. Ballots are mailed out 20-days before election day. Absentee ballots are available as early as 43-days before election day.
If you are currently registered to vote in Oregon, but have moved to an address in Multnomah County, you may update your registration using our change of address form. With DMV ID, you can also register online, or you can deliver a new paper registration to our office. Please remember that ballots are not forwardable, so we need your current address to mail a ballot to you.
Absentee ballots are available 43 days before the election. You must complete the Absentee Ballot Request Application (listed below), print it and sign it. You can return the completed and signed application to us by mail, fax, e-mail (as an attachment) or deliver it in person.
Address: Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building,
1040 SE Morrison St., Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-988-8683 | Fax: 503-988-3719 | Email: elections@multco.us
I will be away from my home on election day,
- But still within the United States
a. Absentee Ballot Request Application
b. or if you have an Oregon Drivers license you can update online at My Vote. - Because I am a military or overseas voter
a. Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
b. or if you have an Oregon Drivers license you can update online at My Vote.
c. For more information for accessing your ballot online
**Please note, the online system will not work in the following countries
Your voted ballot must be mailed and postmarked on or before Election Day in order to count. You can also return it to any Official Ballot Drop Site in Oregon by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
What if I become a U.S. Citizen after the registration deadline?
If you are planning on becoming a U.S. Citizen after the registration deadline you must register by the registration deadline. Please contact our office at 503-988-8683 for more information.
Do I have to re-register for each election?
No. You only need to update your registration when your residence or mailing address changes; your name changes; or you wish to change your party.
Can I transfer my voter registration from another state?
No. You must register in Oregon.
How do I know whether I am properly registered?
- When you register or update your registration, a Voter Notification Card (VNC) will be sent to you. Please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery. Receipt of the VNC card is not necessary to vote. If you are registered, your ballot will be sent to you by mail.
- You may call our office at 503-988-8683 to check on the status of your registration.
Can I request assistance in registering to vote or marking my ballot?
- Yes. Any Oregon voter with a disability can call the County Elections Office to ask for help to:
- register to vote
- complete a ballot
- return a ballot
- If for any reason you need help, please call the Oregon Votes toll free information line 1-866-673-8683 or Multnomah County Elections at 503-988-8683.
- You can request and receive help in your home or any other place you choose such as a care center, library or local Senior Center.
- Additional resources are available. Services and Technology for Voters with Disabilities.
- If you need assistance with voter registration or voting, you can contact us by:
Calling us at 503.988.8683 or via email at elections@multco.us or Complete the Voter Assistance Request Form
How do I cancel my voter registration?
- To cancel your Oregon registration in Multnomah County, please e-mail, mail or fax a signed (84.5 KB).DocumentCancellation Form (140 KB)
- If you have moved out-of-state and are registering in your new state it is helpful if you list your previous Oregon registration information. The new state will then notify us. You can also send us a signed (61.06 KB) by email, fax or by mail.DocumentCancellation Form (140 KB)
- If you moved to another county in Oregon all you need to do is register in that new county. Multnomah County will be notified of your move when you register You do not need to cancel your registration when you move to another county in Oregon, but you need to make sure you register at your new address.
If your name has changed you can use the paper registration form and mail or deliver it to your county elections office, so that your name and signature will be updated.
To update your name and voter registration record online (using your Oregon Driver’s license or ID), it may be necessary to use your previous name to access your voter registration record. Once you access your information online, you can change your name and update your voter registration record.
Why is there "CONTAINS VOTE ON PROPOSED TAX INCREASE" on my Ballot Envelope
The tax language on the outgoing envelope mailed to voters is required by state law. ORS 250.037 and ORS 250.038 specify the language for a ballot measure requesting property taxes, either a GO Bond, local option levy or permanent tax rate.
If there is more than one measure and one requires the language it must be placed on the envelope for any voters receiving that ballot measure.
How to I make sure my ballot is postmarked before 8pm on Election Day?
The best way to ensure your ballot is postmarked on Election Day is to get it into the mail before Election Day (Monday or earlier) or return it to an Official Ballot Drop Site on Election Day before the 8pm deadline.
If you're going to mail it on Election Day:
- If you put it in your own personal mailbox, make sure it is out for pick up before your mail carrier comes by. Make sure your mail carrier has picked it up from your mailbox.
- If you return it to a blue USPS mailbox CHECK that the pick up time for that day hasn't already passed.
- If you want to see a postmark put on your ballot, bring it to your local Post Office and have a postal worker hand cancel your ballot at the counter.
Can I pick up a replacement ballot for another person?
Yes. If that person is a registered voter in Multnomah County and they complete a signed note explicitly giving you permission to do so, you can. You must bring a copy of the signed note or form with you to pick up a ballot on their behalf. Please complete