Vote by Mail

Note: You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view some files.

Vote By Mail Manual which is updated regularly and contains the rules and procedures that county clerks follow in administering a vote by mail election.

Multnomah County Elections has a video detailing the entire vote by mail process.

Ballot Measure 60, requiring statewide vote by mail elections, passed 1998. Includes ballot title, text, explanatory statement, and arguments in favor and in opposition.

Studies

"Five Years Later: A Re-assessment of Oregon's Vote by Mail Electoral Process"
Dr. Priscilla Southwell, Department of Political Science, University of Oregon, 2003

"Ballot Integrity and Voting by Mail: The Oregon Experience"
The Early Voting Information Center at Reed College for the Carter Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform, 2005

Voter Information

Voting in Oregon interactive guide

Guía para Votar en Oregon

Audio Voting Guide

Elections Questions and Answers

How to Assist Voters with Disabilities

Contact information for Oregon County Elections Offices

Press

The Washington Post
January 1, 2005

"How Your Vote is Counted"
Portland Tribune, Nov 2, 2004

Vote by Mail Outside Oregon

State by State information from the Vote By Mail Project

Early and Absentee Voting Rules from Electionline.org

- California -

"Counties Push for Mail Only Vote"
San Francisco Chronicle, January 12, 2006

"Voting by Mail"
San Diego Union Tribune Editorial, May 2, 2005

- Colorado -

"Postal Service Working to Stamp Out Late Arriving Ballots "
Rocky Mountain News, May 13, 2006

- Hawaii -
HB 1746 and SB 433 (establishes pilot program, 2005 legislative session)

SB 642 and SB 1184 (requires Vote by Mail elections, 2005 legislative session)

"Legislators Promote Voting by Mail Only"
Honolulu Star Bulletin, Feb 1, 2005

- Idaho -
"Consider Greater Use of Mail-In Ballots"
Idaho Statesman, Jun 23, 2006

- Iowa -
HF 40 (allows low population cities to Vote by Mail, 2005 legislative session)

- Nebraska -
LB 401 (allows low population counties to vote by mail, 2005 legislative session)

"Bill Would Let Rural Areas Vote by Mail"
Omaha World-Herald, Jan 13, 2005

- North Carolina -
SB 33 and HB 30 (allows trial of Vote by Mail, 2005 legislative session)

- Ohio -
"Absentee Vote Plan May Ease Balloting"
Akron Beacon Journal, Oct 11, 2005

"Issue 2 Would Allow Early Vote by Mail or In Person"
Clintonville News, Sept 29, 2005

- Washington -
SB 5744 and HB 1754 (allows counties to choose Vote by Mail, 2005 legislative session, passed)

"All Mail Voting Likely Next Year in King County"
Seattle Times, May 24, 2006

"The Ballot's in the Mail, for All of King County"
Seattle P.I., May 23, 2006

King County Report on Moving to Vote by Mail
Feb 8, 2006

"County Readies for First Full Vote by Mail Election"
Bellingham Herald, Aug 28, 2005

"To the Mailbox, Voters"
Seattle Times Editorial, July 15, 2005

"Casting Ballots by Mail"
Seattle P.I. Editorial, April 26, 2005

"Mail-in Ballot Bill Goes to Governor"
Seattle P.I., April 21, 2005

Press Release
Secretary of State Sam Reed, March 15, 2005

"Elections May Go Postal"
Skagit Valley Herald, Feb 9, 2005

"Vote by Mail Test is Proposed"
Seattle Times, Feb 1, 2005

"County Now Votes by Mail"
Bellingham Western Front, Jan 25, 2005

"Fix is In the Mail"
Seattle P.I. Editorial, Nov 21, 2004

- Wisconsin -
"Vote By Mail Has Been Proven Winner"
Appleton Post Crescent, June 17, 2006

- National -
Election Officials' Mailing Resources from the United States Postal Service

"The New Ballot Box"
The American Prospect Special Report, May 1, 2006

"Stamp of Approval: Western States are Closing Down Their Polling Stations. Should They?"
The Economist, Mar 16, 2006

"Mail-in Voting a Winner, Except Among Politicians"
Congressional Quarterly, Feb 9, 2006

"Vote by Mail: The Time Has Come"
The Nation, Nov 13, 2004

"Millions to Vote Before Election Day"
Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug 29, 2004

"Voters May Have Their Say Before Election Day"
Washington Post, Aug 26, 2004

"Absentee Voting: Parties See New Promise When Ballot is in the Mail"
New York Times, Aug 22, 2004

"More Voters Seen Opting for Early Decision"
Boston Globe, Aug 14, 2004

"Experts Predict Big Rise in Early and Absentee Voting with Liberalized Rules"
Newhouse News Service, June 22, 2004

- Canada -
Canada Post Vote by Mail FAQ

- Great Britain -
Postal Voting from the UK Electoral Commission

"How Safe is Your Postal Vote"
BBC News, April 15, 2005