Register to vote by April 26th for Oregon’s Primaries!

by Kathy Wai
Policy Advocacy Coordinator

As part of our vision to build more power, visibility and increase the turnout of our communities in important election years, APANO encourages our members to register to vote! In order to be eligible, you must be at least 17 years old and a U.S. citizen. When you vote, you are deciding the next leaders of Oregon and the nation. We know the decisions of these leaders impact our lives and communities. We see and experience the effects of displacement in cities across Oregon, rising costs of housing, low educational outcomes for students of color, and healthcare that is still unaffordable to the 383,000 Oregonians who remain uninsured. These among other things, affect our lives daily. We know that our leaders have the power to pass policies, create or defund public programs, and engage with our communities to come up with solutions. That is why elections are important.

APANO believes that ongoing civic engagement is an integral part of increasing power for our communities. Registering to vote is the first step. The last day to register to vote for Oregon Primaries is April 26th. The Primaries matter because there are 3 major party races that voters can participate in: Democratic Primary, Republican Primary, and the Independent Party of Oregon Primary. Oregon is a “Closed Primary” state, which means only voters who are enrolled in a party can vote in that primary election. If you are a non-affiliated voter, you will still receive a ballot with local measures and non-partisan races.

How to Vote in the May Primary:

1. Get registered by April 26th: Official Voter registration link
2. You must be enrolled in a political party to vote in that party’s primary election. First time voters can choose the party when they register to vote.
3. Voters can expect ballots in the mail as early as April 27th.
4. Last day to turn in your ballot is May 17th (election day).

For official information about Voting in the Primaries, check out the Secretary of State’s new online resource guide for voters. For Oregon’s political parties, click here.