Voter FAQs

For information regarding automatic voter registration through the DMV please see the slideshow below.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
Definitions

Misinformation - Information that is false, but not created or shared with the intention of causing harm.

Malinformation - Information that is based on fact, but used out of context to mislead, harm, or manipulate a person, organization, or country.

Disinformation - False information that is deliberately created to mislead, harm, or manipulate a person, social group, organization, or country.

- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

 

IF YOU THINK AN ELECTION CRIME HAS OCCURRED
Oregon Secretary of States Office Report an Election Law Violation Website
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Election Crimes Flyer

Federal Election Crimes Brochure

 

Click here to go to the Oregon Secretary of States' website to check and see if you're registered to vote.

To register to vote in Oregon, you must be:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • A resident of Oregon
  • At least 16 years of age*

*If you are not yet 18 years of age, you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.

 

You may register in the following ways:

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.

You may update your voter registration in the following ways:

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.

To cancel your voter registration, fill out the Voter Registration Cancellation Form and either mail or deliver it to the Elections Office in the Coos County Courthouse.

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.

An absentee ballot may be applied for at any time, however please allow enough time for your ballot to be delivered to you by mail, voted and returned in time to be counted.

If you are serving in the Armed Forces, the Merchant Marines or live outside of the United States, you must fill out a Federal Absentee Ballot Request - Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). For more information, please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Programs' website.

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.

You may change your political party in the following ways:

Political Sign Information

No, your voter registration will not be canceled due to lack of voting. To check on your registration go to the Oregon Secretary of States' website.

  • 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 your ballot does not arrive by the 11th day before the election, please call your county elections office.

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 a ballot was delivered to a deceased individual, do not open it. Write "Deceased" 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.

Please contact the elections office at (541) 396-7610 or come by the office located in the Coos County Courthouse in Coquille.

Yes, it is not required to vote all contests.

Correspondence will be mailed to you alerting you of the issue and informing you of how to rectify it.

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

No. Each voter has the choice of mailing their ballot, returning it to any county elections office in Oregon or utilizing any designated drop site. For a list of Coos County drop site locations, click here.

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.

Go to the Oregon Secretary of States' website and check to see if your ballot has been received. Please give 1 - 2 business days for changes to be reflected.

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

Yes. That information is public record.

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

Per law, the first results will be posted at 8pm on Election Day. A schedule for the release of all election results can be found on each election's webpage 30 days before said election.

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

Oregon election days are:

  • The second Tuesday in March
  • The third Tuesday in May
  • The fourth Tuesday in August
  • Tuesday following the first Monday in November
  • Special Elections can be called by governing bodies
  • 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

Coos County Elections

Coos County Courthouse

250 N Baxter St

Coquille, OR 97423

Phone: (541) 396-7610

Email: elections [at] co.coos.or.us (elections[at]co[dot]coos[dot]or[dot]us)

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