April 16, 2020 10:00 a.m.
The May 19th Primary election is just over a month away and Douglas County Clerk Daniel Loomis has provided an update.
Loomis said the deadline for voter registration is April 28th. Registration cards must be postmarked by that date in order to be accepted. April 28th is also the deadline for changing political party affiliation.
Loomis said the election is a closed primary meaning those registered can only vote for candidates in the party they are registered with. There are two major political parties and six minor political parties in Oregon. Voters that are registered as non-affiliated or with a minor party will receive a ballot with non-partisan offices and ballot measures only.
Loomis said according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, Oregon is proceeding with the May Primary as planned. The office said Oregon has a long-established vote-by-mail system, which already complies with the guidelines for no gatherings, and physical distancing issued by Oregon for the current COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time, ballots can be returned without a stamp since the state has provided prepaid return postage. Ballots should be mailed early, or can be delivered to any official county drop box.
For information about the elections process, go to www.oregonvotes.gov or call 1-866-673-VOTE.