NOTICES
Voting by Mail in Oregon
In
1998,
Oregon
voters
overwhelmingly passed a ballot
measure directing that elections be
conducted by mail, commonly called
vote by mail. This replaces traditional
polling place elections.
What is vote by mail?
Vote by mail is a method of
distributing ballots for an election.
Instead of using traditional polling
places where voters go to cast ballots
on election day, a ballot is automatically
mailed to each registered voter. The
ballot is then voted and returned to the
county election office to be counted.
Every county provides privacy booths
where you can mark your ballot.
Usually, you can drop off your com
pleted ballot at the same location. Call
your county election office if you need
to locate and use a privacy booth.
As a voter, what do I have to do?
Your ballot packet will auto
matically be mailed to you 18 to 14 days
prior to the election. Each packet contains
a secrecy envelope, ballot return envelope,
and ballot. Once you vote the ballot,
place it in the secrecy envelope and seal
it in the pre-addressed return envelope.
Be sure to sign the return envelope on
the appropriate line after verifying that
the return envelope has your name and
current residential address.
How do I get information about
the candidates and issues?
You will receive a voters’ pamphlet
from the secretary of State for all
statewide elections. Many counties also
produce a local voters’ pamphlet that is
either included with the state pamphlet
or mailed separately. In special
elections, the county will sometimes
include the pamphlet with the ballot.
When must the voted ballot be
returned?
The voted ballot must be received
in any county election office or designated
drop site by 8 p.m. on election night.
Postmarks do not count. All county
election offices are considered poll
locations on election day and are open
from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I’ll be out of town when ballots
are mailed. How do I get a ballot?
Absentee ballots are available 45
days before the election. You can
request an early absentee ballot from
your county election official either in
person, by mail, or by fax. You’ll need
to include your name, residence address,
and, if different, your mailing address.
Can I change my mind after I’ve
returned the ballot?
What if my ballot doesn’t come?
as you deposit it in the mailbox or at a
drop site. After that, you cannot receive
a new ballot to re-vote.
If you haven’t received your ballot
within a week after they’re mailed, call
your county election office. They’ll
check that your voter registration is
current. If it is, they’ll mail you a
replacement ballot.
What if I have moved and have
not updated my registration?
If you’re registered to vote by the
21st day before the election but now
have a different address and:
•
•
You have moved within the same
county, contact the county election
office. They’ll instruct you on the
process to follow to qualify for a
replacement ballot; or
You have moved to a different
county, go to the election office in
your new county.
What if I make a mistake?
If you make a mistake, you can call
your county election office and request
a replacement ballot. One will be
mailed to you provided the request is
received with sufficient time for
mailing. Otherwise, you can pick up a
replacement ballot in person at your
county election office.
Your ballot has been cast as soon
Will my vote still count if I forget
to put my ballot into the secrecy
envelope?
Yes, the ballot will still be counted.
When are ballots counted?
your ballot or returning it to any county
election office or any designated drop
site in the state. The times and locations
of drop sites are published by and avail
able from your county election official.
All ballots are counted on election
day - none are counted before. No
results can be announced until 8 p.m.
on election night. No more than five
days before election day, county
election officials begin preparing the
ballots for counting by opening the
return identification envelope and the
secrecy envelope and securing the
ballots until election day.
How much postage is required to
mail the ballot back?
When will election results be
known?
Your voted ballot can be returned
without extra postage. In those
instances where additional postage is
necessary, it will be clearly indicated
on the ballot materials.
Ballot counting cannot begin until
election day. Initial results are released
at 8 p.m. election night and will continue
to be updated through election night
until all ballots have been counted.
Do I have to return my ballot by
mail?
You have the choice of mailing
How do I know if my ballot is
received?
You can always call your county elec
tion office and ask if they received your
ballot. A record is kept showing each
voter whose ballot has been returned.
Can anyone find out how I’ve
voted once I mail my ballot?
No. All ballots are separated from
the return envelope before the ballots
are inspected. This process ensures
confidentiality.
What if I have more questions?
Call your county election official.
Each office will be more than happy to
assist you.
The information above was
obtained from www.sos .state .or.us.
Please visit this site for additional
details on voting in Oregon.
The Siletz Tribe would like to
encourage all tribal members to vote
in this year’s national, state, local, and
tribal elections
Extra Sand Dollars for Seariffic Cause
NEWPORT, Ore. - With April 15
just around the corner, Oregon
taxpayers due to receive a refund on
their 2003 taxes will
have to decide
whether or not to
make a chari
table donation.
The
Oregon
Coast Aquarium is
one option for taxpayers with a few extra
sand dollars.
The aquarium is listed among the
qualified recipients for Oregon’s
Charitable Checkoff Program under the
“Other Charity” line of personal income
tax form 40 and 40S.
This is the third year that the
aquarium has been listed as a donation
recipient. Donation funds will support
its statewide education programs and
marine conservation and rehabilitation
efforts. Individuals wishing to make a
charitable donation to the aquarium
must enter “4” on line 60 of their state
income tax return (form 40).
“Conservation, rehabilitation,
research, and education programs are
central to our mission,” said Hugh
Dolly, spokesman for the Oregon Coast
Aquarium. “We rely heavily on
donations to support our efforts to help
protect and care for the Oregon coast’s
natural resources as well as providing
a better understanding of these
resources so that future generations will
have the opportunity to enjoy them.”
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a
private, not-for-profit aquatic and
marine science educational facility
offering a fun and interesting way to
learn about Oregon’s unique coastal
ecosystem. It is dedicated to teaching
marine wildlife and ocean preservation
through responsible management and
exhibition of marine life.
Its objective is to develop and
pursue conservation, education,
and research programs of local and
global signifi
cance; to foster an
awareness and
appreciation of
Oregon’s coastal
environment and
the interdepend
ence of our global
ecosystem; and to serve as a commu
nity resource and recreational center.
For more details, call 541 -867-3474,
ext. 5228.
February 2004 □
Siletz News
□
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