Portland, Oregon Public Records

Residents register to vote online through the Oregon Secretary of State's website at https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/pages/registration.aspx, by mail using a printable registration form, or through the state DMV when obtaining or renewing a driver's license. Oregon's Motor Voter law automatically registers eligible citizens unless they opt out, with a registration deadline of 21 days before any election. The state does not require voter ID for registration or voting; instead, the system verifies identity through DMV records or the last four digits of Social Security numbers. Municipal elections in the city are conducted on a nonpartisan basis. Portland is transitioning to a new form of government: starting with the 2024 elections, the city moved to a 12-member City Council elected from four geographic districts (three members per district) using ranked-choice voting, plus a separately elected Mayor. The next mayoral election is in 2028 under this new system, with City Council members serving four-year terms. Local ballot measures addressing city issues, bond measures, and tax levies appear regularly on ballots. Because Oregon votes entirely by mail, there are no traditional polling places. Registered voters automatically receive ballots mailed to their registered address approximately 18-20 days before Election Day. Voters can return completed ballots by mail (no postage required) or deposit them in official ballot drop boxes located throughout Multnomah County, with multiple locations across the city including the elections office, libraries, and community centers. Drop box locations can be found at https://multco.us/elections/multnomah-county-drop-site-locations. Ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Oregon's public records laws make extensive election information publicly accessible: voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes, campaign finance reports are searchable through the Oregon Secretary of State ORESTAR system at https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/, candidate filings and statements are public, and detailed precinct-level election results are published after each election at https://multco.us/elections/election-results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Multnomah County recorded approximately 74% voter turnout with roughly 440,000 ballots cast out of approximately 595,000 registered voters, reflecting strong engagement typical of the area's politically active electorate. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in Multnomah County will decide several significant races: Oregon's gubernatorial election (Governor serves four-year terms with elections in midterm years), state legislative seats including multiple Oregon House and Senate districts covering the city, Multnomah County Chair and Commissioner positions, and potentially local ballot measures addressing city and county issues. Oregon's U.S. Senate seats are not up in 2026 (Senator Merkley's seat is up in 2026, Senator Wyden's in 2028). Voters will also decide on state legislative referrals and citizen initiatives if any qualify for the ballot. Oregon law (ORS Chapter 254) requires all county elections offices to maintain voter registration records, provide accessible voting materials, accept military and overseas ballots, and ensure ballot security and chain of custody protocols.