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F A Q
•   Do you know your rights as an Oregon voter?
•   Why is there “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(link is external) and ORS 250.038(link is external) 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.
•   Am I registered, if not, how do I register?
There is a wealth of knowledge and resources available to you at www.oregonvotes.gov.
 
To check or update your registration, select the “My Vote” button when you get to that site.  If you need to register, select the “Voting in Oregon” tab.
 
At the “My Vote” portion you can also find out who your elected officials are and find out if your ballot has been received at your local Elections office.
•   How can I help with the upcoming election?
The Yamhill County Clerk’s office oftentimes needs new Election Board Workers and Drop Box Closers. If you would like to be considered as a potential new member of the team:
•   What are my options for voting?  Where do I go to vote?
In Oregon, all elections are “vote-by-mail”.  When you register to vote, make sure you give us your accurate mailing address as well as the physical address where you live.  We will get a ballot mailed to you.  You may mail it back or drop it off (postage free) in any of our drop sites (visit our website: https://www.co.yamhill.or.us/elections/election-drop-box).
•   Who is in office now?
We try to keep an accurate and up-to-date list of all elected officials serving Yamhill County on our page under our “Current Year Elections” page.  Look near the top for the link to the “Position Holders” list.
•   What if I did not receive a ballot?
Call the Yamhill County Elections Office at 503-434-7518 or 503-554-7850 from Newberg. You might need to update your voter registration.
•   What if I have moved and changed my residence or mailing address?
You may update your voter registration at www.oregonvotes.gov, or come into our office at 414 NE Evans St, McMinnville.  You will be issued a correct ballot specific to where you live.
•   Is it too late to update my voter registration?
Probably not, you actually have up until Election Day to update your voter registration and receive a ballot if you are currently registered in the State of Oregon.
•   Is postage required if I place my ballot in the drop site?
No
•   When is the last day to mail my ballot and have it be received in the Yamhill County Clerk’s Office?
Under normal circumstances, the last day you would want to mail your ballot with USPS is the Wednesday before the election, for the Clerk’s Office to receive your ballot on time.  Postmarks do now count in Oregon in some situations but some rules apply like:
•   It must have been signed before mailing it
•   It must have a Postmark (or USPS indicator)
•   Must arrive by the 7th day after Election Day
•   When will results be available?
•   If I choose not to vote for a candidate or race, will the rest of my ballot count?
Yes.
•  Is a person who has been convicted of a felony eligible to vote?
The general rule is persons convicted of a felony, whether the defendant serves their term of incarceration in a state correctional facility or in a county jail, cannot vote while they are serving their term of incarceration for the felony. Once released from incarceration they must re-register to vote in order to restore their voting rights. All others in the criminal justice system may vote (such as pre-trial detainees, persons serving misdemeanor sentences in county jails, persons on parole or probation).
 
  Voting Rights in Oregon for Person Convicted of a Felony - Frequently Asked Questions
•  Can a person convicted of a felony vote under each of these specific circumstances?
  1. I have been convicted, but have not yet been sentenced.
    a.  YES, this person can vote until they are sentenced.
    b.  137.281(1): In any felony case, when the defendant is sentenced to a term of incarceration, the defendant is deprived of all rights…
     
  2. I’m serving my sentence for a felony conviction in the county jail, not in prison.
    a.  NO, this person cannot vote.
    b.  137.281 (2) states that subsection (1) applies to any term of incarceration…it does not specify the type of facility the person convicted of a felony must be incarcerated in to lose their voting rights.
    c.  423.475 & 423.478 address persons convicted of a felony being held in county facilities if their term of incarceration is 12 months or less.
     
  3. I’ve been released from incarceration, but I am on parole.
    a.  YES, voting rights were restored when a person convicted of a felony is released from incarceration. However, the person does need to re-register to be eligible to vote.
     
  4. I’ve been released from incarceration but I am required to wear an ankle bracelet.
    a.  YES, the person is no longer incarcerated and therefore is on post-prison supervision.
     
  5. I am incarcerated for a felony in another state (not Oregon). Can I vote in Oregon elections?
    a.  NO, this person cannot vote.
    b.  137.281(2) states that subsection (1) applies to any term of incarceration…it does not specify where the person convicted of a felony must be incarcerated in order to lose their voting rights.
     
  6. I have been convicted of a felony and am on a work release program – out on weekdays and incarcerated on weekends.
    a.  NO
     
  7. I am no longer in prison, but I am required to reside in a half way house.
    a.  NO  

Definition of incarceration…to put in prison. Imprisonment; confinement; custody; captivity; internment.

Comment: the Oregon Constitution removes voting rights “unless otherwise provided by law”.
ORS 137.275 is the “otherwise provided by law” and 137.281 provides the specifics such as not being deprived of voting rights until sentenced.

137.281(1) States privileges are not revoked until the person is sentenced to a term of incarceration. Since this section doesn’t indicate a specific location of incarceration, it is assumed incarceration means in a county jail or in a state or federal prison. (2) States that subsection (1) refers to ANY term of incarceration. (3) Makes it clear that voting rights is one of the rights that may be deprived…although (1) makes it mandatory that their rights are deprived until release from incarceration or the conviction is set aside. (4) States that if the court orders a temporary stay of execution of sentence, in other words postpones incarceration temporarily, their rights are still deprived pursuant to (1). (5) Specifies that rights are deprived even if the person convicted of a felony is incarcerated in federal prison. (6) Gives the county clerk the right to cancel the person convicted of a felony’s registration. (7) States the rights are restored automatically upon release from incarceration. (7) references ORS 10.030 which, though speaking to jury service, it also states that if the person convicted of a felony is on parole and is subsequently imprisoned for a parole violation, the person convicted of a felony will once again be deprived of voting rights.

  Voting Rights in Oregon for Person Convicted of a Felony - Frequently Asked Questions

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