Voter FAQs

If registering online using the Oregon Secretary of States' website:

• A new registrant must submit their online registration by 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on the 21st calendar day before the date of an election to be eligible to vote in that election.

If registering using a physical voter registration card:

• A new registrant must have their voter registration card postmarked or submitted to the Coos County Elections Office not later than the 21st calendar day before the date of an election to be eligible to vote in that election.

If entered into the automatic registration process with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):

• This process can take up to 21 days. It is not instantaneous. If a voter is concerned about being registered to vote in time for an election, it is recommended that the voter visit the elections office in the Coos County Courthouse in Coquille or register online at the Oregon Secretary of States website.

In January 2016 Oregon's voter registration law, Oregon Motor Voter, took effect. Please visit the Oregon Secretary of State's website or view the slideshow above for more information.

Any registered voter who will be away from their home residence on Election Day may apply for an absentee ballot. By law, the post office cannot forward ballots.

Go to the Oregon Secretary of States' website to check your political party and other voter registration information. This site may also be used to update your information.

Political Sign Information

• The Oregon Secretary of States' Office produces a voters' pamphlet for Primary and General elections held in May and November of even numbered years.
• Voters' pamphlets are delivered one per household starting 20 days before the election. If one is not received, the post offices may have additional copies.
• The voters' pamphlet may be viewed online starting 20 days before the election at the Oregon Secretary of States' website.
• It is the candidates' choice whether or not to submit a statement in the voters' pamphlet for a fee.
• Coos County does not produce a voters' pamphlet.

If a ballot was delivered to the wrong address, do not open it. Write "Not at this address" on the outside of the envelope and put it back in the mail. The ballot will be returned to the Elections Office and we will update that voters record accordingly.

If you make a mistake, please draw a straight line through the incorrect choice and then fill in the oval next to the correct choice.

Yes, it is not required to vote all contests.

No. Your ballot has been cast as soon as you deposit it in the mail or at a drop site.

If using a drop-site location, your ballot must be in a designated drop-box no later than 8pm Election Day. If mailing, your ballot must have been received by the United States Postal Service (USPS) no later than Election Day and be received in the office of the County Clerk no later than 7 days after the election. Please note, only ballots mailed through USPS can be accepted after election day.

To ensure your ballot will be received in time, our recommendation is as follows:

• If mailing, do so no later than 7 days before the election
• If there are 6 days or less before the election, please utilize one of our 24-hour drop-site locations.

No. Ballots are processed to ensure each vote is confidential.

Yes. That information is public record once the petition has been certified.

Write-in results are not released until the election is certified, not later than 27 days after the election.

• Military/Overseas voters - 45 days prior to Election Day
• Out-of-State voters - 29 days prior to Election Day
• In-State voters - 19 days prior to Election Day