Changed Your Party Affiliation? You May Receive Two Ballots
Secretary of State offers guidance on what to do if you receive two ballots for the May Primary
Oregon Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins wants voters who changed their party affiliation in the weeks leading up to the April 26th voter registration deadline to know that they may receive two ballots in the mail. Oregonians should vote with the ballot that reflects their most recent choice of party affiliation – in most cases this will be the second ballot received in the mail.
“It’s normal for our county clerks to receive a late flood of party registration changes in the days leading up to a primary election,” said Atkins. “Ballots are prepared for mailing two weeks prior to the registration deadline, so Oregonians who changed their party affiliation within two weeks of April 26th may receive two ballots. Those voters should wait for the second ballot – the one that reflects the party they recently registered with.”
The Secretary offers the following guidance for voters who have recently updated their voter registration and receive two ballots:
•If you mail in both ballots: The ballot that reflects your updated registration will be the ballot that is counted.
•If you only mail in your first ballot: Only non-partisan races on the ballot will be tabulated.
•If you only mail in your second ballot: Your ballot will counted. Please disregard the first ballot.
Oregon’s Centralized Voter Registration database has safeguards in place to ensure that voters can cast only one ballot. If you are concerned that you have received the wrong ballot or you do not receive your ballot by Thursday, May 5 call your county elections office. You can find a list of county clerks at www.oregonvotes.gov/counties.