Chapter 253 — Absent Electors

2011 EDITION

ABSENT ELECTORS

ELECTIONS

GENERAL PROVISIONS

253.005 Definitions

253.015 Becoming absent elector

253.030 Application for ballot; primary election; rules; continuing validity of application

253.045 Preparation and disposition of ballots

253.055 Form and content of ballot

253.065 Delivery of ballot; replacement ballots

253.070 Marking and returning ballot; procedure when ballot returned to wrong county clerk

253.080 Duties of clerk on receipt of ballot; manner of counting ballots

253.135 Special absent elector procedures

LONG TERM ABSENT ELECTORS

253.500 Construction of long term absent elector law

253.510 Definitions for ORS 253.500 to 253.640

253.515 Long term absent elector procedures to conform to absentee ballot procedures

253.530 Voting by spouse and dependents of long term absent elector

253.540 Application for ballot by long term absent elector

253.545 County clerk duties upon receipt of application; application as registration

253.550 Applications made under federal statutes

253.565 Application for special ballot by long term absent elector

253.575 County clerk duties upon receipt of application for special ballot; application as valid voter registration; replacement ballots

253.585 Receipt of long term absent elector ballots by Secretary of State

253.640 State officers to coordinate voting by long term absent electors with federal authorities

253.645 Electors called to active military duty

253.690 Casting ballot using facsimile machine or by electronic mail; waiver; rules

253.700 Duty to challenge absentee ballot; procedures

253.710 Alteration of application prohibited; exceptions

GENERAL PROVISIONS

253.005 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(1) “Clerk” means the county clerk.

(2) “County clerk” means the county clerk or the county official in charge of elections.

(3) “Elector” means an individual qualified to vote under section 2, Article II, Oregon Constitution.

(4) “Absent elector” means a person to whom the county clerk has issued a ballot prior to the date that ballots are mailed to electors as provided in ORS 254.470 (2)(a) or (b). [1979 c.190 §201; 1979 c.317 §10a; 1999 c.410 §27; 2007 c.154 §14]

253.007 [1999 c.410 §32; repealed by 2007 c.154 §67]

253.010 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §1; 1959 c.458 §1; 1969 c.676 §1; 1975 c.675 §28; 1977 c.352 §5; 1979 c.317 §10; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.015 Becoming absent elector. An elector may become an absent elector when the elector has reason to believe that the elector will be unable for any reason to vote at the election. [1979 c.190 §202]

253.020 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §2; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.030 Application for ballot; primary election; rules; continuing validity of application. (1) Before an election any elector may apply to the clerk for the absentee ballot of the election.

(2) An application for an absentee ballot must be received by the clerk not later than 8 p.m. the day of the election.

(3) If an applicant not affiliated with any political party desires to vote in any major political party primary election, the applicant may request and shall be sent a ballot for a major political party if that political party has provided under ORS 254.365 for a primary election that admits electors not affiliated with any political party.

(4) Application for an absentee ballot may be made in any manner designated by the Secretary of State by rule, including in writing, by electronic mail or by using a facsimile machine. As used in this subsection, “facsimile machine” means a machine that electronically transmits or receives facsimiles of documents through connection with a telephone network.

(5) If an elector desires, the elector’s application shall be valid for every subsequent election until the elector otherwise notifies the clerk or is no longer an elector of the county. [Amended by 1957 c.641 §3; 1959 c.458 §2; 1969 c.676 §2; 1975 c.675 §29; 1977 c.179 §3; 1979 c.190 §203; 1985 c.471 §8; 1987 c.719 §6; 1989 c.503 §36; 1991 c.107 §4; 1991 c.168 §1; 1993 c.493 §24; 1995 c.607 §78; 1995 c.712 §48; 1999 c.999 §42; 2007 c.155 §9; 2007 c.881 §9]

253.035 [1969 c.676 §5; 1977 c.352 §6; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.040 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §4; 1959 c.458 §3; 1975 c.675 §30; 1977 c.508 §10; 1979 c.190 §204; 1991 c.107 §6; repealed by 1999 c.410 §67]

253.045 Preparation and disposition of ballots. (1) The clerk shall print as many absentee ballots as may be necessary as soon as possible after receiving the information concerning candidates and measures to be voted on at an election, but not later than the 45th day before the election.

(2) The clerk is responsible for the safekeeping and disposition of the ballots, and shall destroy all unused ballots as soon as practicable after the election. [1979 c.190 §205; 1981 c.173 §30; 1989 c.923 §1; 1991 c.71 §7; 1991 c.107 §7; 1993 c.713 §56; 1999 c.410 §28; 2007 c.154 §15]

253.050 [Repealed by 1957 c.641 §23]

253.055 Form and content of ballot. (1) Absentee ballots may be the regular ballots used at the election or special ballots and, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, shall be in substantially the same form as the regular ballots used at the election.

(2) In counties in which voting machines are used, paper ballots may be used as absentee ballots.

(3) The ballot delivered to each absent elector shall contain the names and other information concerning all candidates and the information concerning all measures for which the absent elector is entitled to vote. In lieu of the names and other information concerning candidates for precinct committeeperson, blank spaces shall be provided on the ballot, in which the absent elector may write the name of a candidate for that office. [1979 c.190 §206; 1991 c.107 §8; 2007 c.154 §16]

253.060 [Repealed by 1957 c.641 §23]

253.065 Delivery of ballot; replacement ballots. (1) For electors with mailing addresses outside this state, the county clerk shall deliver an absentee ballot:

(a) Not later than the 45th day before the election to each long term absent elector; and

(b) Not sooner than the 29th day before the election to each elector with a mailing address outside this state who is not a long term absent elector.

(2) For electors with mailing addresses in this state, except if requested by the elector, absentee ballots delivered by mail shall be delivered:

(a) For primary elections and general elections, or any statewide special election for which a voters’ pamphlet is prepared, not sooner than the date the Secretary of State first mails the voters’ pamphlet under ORS 251.175; or

(b) In the case of an election for which a statewide voters’ pamphlet is not required to be prepared, not sooner than the 20th day before the date of the election.

(3) The ballot may be delivered to the absent elector in the office of the clerk, by postage prepaid mail or by any other appropriate means.

(4) The clerk shall deliver with the ballot instructions for marking and returning the ballot, a return identification envelope and a secrecy envelope. The back of the envelope shall include a statement to be signed by the absent elector, stating that the elector:

(a) Is qualified to vote;

(b) Unless prevented by physical disability, has personally marked the ballot; and

(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, if the county clerk receives an application for an absentee ballot after the fifth day before an election, the county clerk need not mail the ballot for that election but may deliver the ballot by making it available in the office of the clerk.

(6) An elector may obtain a replacement ballot if the ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost or not received by the elector. The county clerk shall keep a record of each replacement ballot provided under this subsection.

(7) A replacement ballot may be mailed or shall be made available in the office of the county clerk.

(8) If the county clerk determines that an elector to whom a replacement ballot has been issued at the request of the elector has voted more than once, the county clerk shall not count any ballot cast by the elector. If the county clerk is required to reissue ballots due to a change on the ballot for any reason, that ballot shall be counted in lieu of any previous ballot issued unless:

(a) Only the original ballot was voted and returned; or

(b) The county clerk issued a supplemental ballot that is not a complete replacement of the original ballot. [1979 c.190 §207; 1981 c.485 §1; 1989 c.923 §22; 1991 c.719 §50; 1995 c.607 §34; 1999 c.318 §33; 1999 c.1002 §7; 2011 c.607 §4]

253.070 Marking and returning ballot; procedure when ballot returned to wrong county clerk. Upon receipt of a ballot the absent elector shall mark it and comply with the instructions provided with the ballot. The absent elector may return the marked ballot to the office of the clerk, by any appropriate means. The ballot must be received by a county clerk not later than 8 p.m. of the day of the election. If a county clerk receives a ballot for an elector who does not reside in the clerk’s county, the ballot shall be forwarded to the county clerk of the county in which the elector resides not later than the eighth day after the election. [Amended by 1957 c.641 §5; 1969 c.676 §3; 1979 c.190 §208; 1995 c.742 §13]

253.080 Duties of clerk on receipt of ballot; manner of counting ballots. (1) Upon receipt of an envelope containing a marked absentee ballot, the clerk shall keep it safely in the office and, before delivering the ballot for counting, shall compare the signature of the absent elector which appears on the back of the absentee ballot envelope with that upon the applicant’s registration card. If the signatures appear to be the same, the envelope shall be marked in order to indicate that the ballot may be counted.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the absentee ballots shall be counted and returns shall be made, as nearly as possible, in the same manner as for other ballots cast at the election. [Amended by 1957 c.641 §6; 1961 c.92 §1; 1979 c.190 §209; 1991 c.107 §9; 1999 c.410 §30]

253.082 [1999 c.410 §33; repealed by 2007 c.154 §67]

253.085 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §8; 1961 c.163 §1; 1979 c.190 §210; 1999 c.410 §34; repealed by 2007 c.154 §67]

253.090 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §9; 1961 c.92 §2; 1979 c.190 §211; 1993 c.493 §25; repealed by 2007 c.154 §67]

253.095 [1979 c.190 §212; repealed by 2007 c.154 §67]

253.100 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §10; 1979 c.190 §213; repealed by 2007 c.154 §67]

253.110 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §11; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.120 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §12; 1979 c.190 §214; 1991 c.107 §10; repealed by 2007 c.154 §67]

253.130 [Repealed by 1955 c.332 §20]

253.135 Special absent elector procedures. (1) An elector who, on the day of an election, will be absent from the county in which the elector is registered may vote at the elections office of any county clerk.

(2) An elector voting under this section shall complete and sign a voter registration card.

(3) A ballot cast under this section shall be forwarded to the county clerk of the county in which the elector resides not later than the eighth day after the election. The ballot shall be counted in the county in which the elector resides if the elector is qualified to vote in that county. A vote shall be counted only if the elector is qualified to vote for the particular office or on the measure.

(4) This section does not apply to persons registered under ORS 247.410 and 247.420. [1979 c.190 §215; 1993 c.713 §30; 1995 c.742 §14; 1999 c.410 §35; 2007 c.154 §17]

253.140 [Repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.150 [Repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.160 [1969 c.261 §3; 1979 c.519 §25; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.210 [Amended by 1957 c.641 §13; 1961 c.114 §14; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.300 [1971 c.27 §2; 1979 c.190 §56; renumbered 247.435]

253.310 [1971 c.27 §3; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.320 [1971 c.27 §4; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.330 [1971 c.27 §5; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

LONG TERM ABSENT ELECTORS

253.500 Construction of long term absent elector law. ORS 253.500 to 253.640 shall be liberally construed so that all long term absent electors may be given an opportunity to fully exercise their voting rights. [Formerly 253.670]

253.510 Definitions for ORS 253.500 to 253.640. As used in ORS 253.500 to 253.640, “long term absent elector” means a resident of this state absent from the place of residence and:

(1) Serving in the Armed Forces of the United States or who has been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States for not more than 30 days;

(2) Serving in the Merchant Marine of the United States or who has been discharged from the Merchant Marine of the United States for not more than 30 days; or

(3) Temporarily living outside the territorial limits of the United States and the District of Columbia. [1955 c.332 §1; 1957 c.641 §14; 1969 c.261 §1; 1979 c.190 §217; 1993 c.493 §26]

253.515 Long term absent elector procedures to conform to absentee ballot procedures. Except as otherwise provided in ORS 253.500 to 253.640, procedures relating to long term absent electors’ ballots and special absentee ballots shall be as nearly as possible the same as for other absentee ballots. [1979 c.190 §218; 1985 c.720 §4]

253.520 [1955 c.332 §3; 1969 c.261 §4; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.530 Voting by spouse and dependents of long term absent elector. (1) A spouse or dependent of a long term absent elector, temporarily living outside the county or city in which is situated the last home residence in this state of the spouse or dependent, may vote in the same manner as a long term absent elector.

(2) A spouse or dependent of a long term absent elector, not previously a resident of this state who intends to reside in this state, shall be considered a resident of this state for voting purposes, and may vote in the same manner as a long term absent elector. The spouse or dependent shall be considered to have resided for more than 30 days at the last residence of the long term absent elector in this state. [1955 c.332 §16; 1957 c.641 §15; 1965 c.153 §1; 1977 c.508 §11; 1979 c.190 §219]

253.540 Application for ballot by long term absent elector. (1) Any long term absent elector may secure an absentee ballot by submitting an application as specified in subsection (2) of this section to the clerk of the county of the long term absent elector’s residence, or to the Secretary of State. If the application is addressed to the Secretary of State, the secretary shall forward it to the appropriate county clerk.

(2) An application for an absentee ballot by a long term absent elector shall be made in the form of a written request. The application shall be valid for every subsequent election until the elector otherwise notifies the clerk or is no longer an elector of the county. The application shall be signed by the applicant and contain:

(a) The name and current mailing address of the applicant;

(b) A statement that the applicant is a citizen of the United States;

(d) A statement that for more than 20 days preceding the election the applicant’s home residence has been in this state, and giving the address of the last home residence;

(e) A statement of the facts that qualify the applicant as a long term absent elector or as the spouse or a dependent of a long term absent elector;

(f) A statement that the applicant is not requesting a ballot from any other state and is not voting in any other manner in the election except by the requested absentee ballot; and

(g) If the applicant desires to vote in a primary election, a designation of the applicant’s political party affiliation or a statement that the applicant is not affiliated with any political party. An applicant not affiliated with any political party may request a ballot for a major political party. The applicant shall be sent the ballot for the political party that the applicant requested if that political party has provided under ORS 254.365 for a primary election that admits electors not affiliated with any political party. [1955 c.332 §§7,8; 1957 c.641 §16; 1973 c.827 §25; 1975 c.675 §31; 1979 c.190 §220; 1979 c.519 §26; 1987 c.719 §7; 1991 c.168 §2; 1995 c.712 §49; 1999 c.999 §43]

253.545 County clerk duties upon receipt of application; application as registration. (1) Upon receipt of an application made under ORS 253.540 the county clerk, without regard to whether the applicant is an elector of the county, shall mail the materials prescribed in ORS 253.065 to the applicant.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of ORS chapter 247, the completed and signed application submitted under ORS 253.540 shall constitute a valid registration for the applicant.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, if the county clerk receives an application from a long term absent elector after the fifth day before an election, the county clerk need not mail the ballot for that election but may deliver the ballot by making it available in the office of the clerk. [1979 c.190 §221; 1981 c.485 §2; 1993 c.493 §27]

253.550 Applications made under federal statutes. Whenever provision is made for absentee voting by a statute of the United States, including the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff (Public Law 99-410), an application for an absentee ballot made under that law may be given the same effect as an application for an absentee ballot made under ORS 253.500 to 253.640. [1955 c.332 §2; 1979 c.190 §222; 1991 c.71 §12]

253.560 [1955 c.332 §9; 1957 c.641 §17; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.565 Application for special ballot by long term absent elector. (1) Any long term absent elector may secure a special absentee ballot for a primary election or general election by making an application under this section if the elector believes that:

(a) The elector will be residing, stationed or working outside the territorial limits of the United States and the District of Columbia; and

(b) The elector will be unable to vote and return a regular absentee ballot by normal mail delivery within the period provided for regular absentee ballots.

(2) A long term absent elector shall make the application for a special absentee ballot in the form of a written request. The elector shall submit the application before the date of the applicable election to the clerk of the county of the long term absent elector’s residence or to the Secretary of State. If the application is addressed to the Secretary of State, the secretary shall forward it to the appropriate county clerk. The application shall be signed by the applicant and contain:

(a) The name and current mailing address of the applicant;

(b) A designation of the election for which the applicant requests a special absentee ballot;

(d) A statement that the applicant will be 18 years of age or older on the date of the election;

(e) A statement that for more than 20 days preceding the election the applicant’s home residence has been in this state, and giving the address of the last home residence;

(f) A statement of the facts that qualify the applicant as a long term absent elector or as the spouse or a dependent of a long term absent elector;

(g) A statement of the facts that qualify the applicant to vote by means of a special absentee ballot;

(h) A statement that the applicant is not requesting a ballot from any other state and is not voting in any other manner in the election except by the requested special absentee ballot; and

(i) If the applicant requests a ballot for a primary election, a designation of the applicant’s political party affiliation or a statement that the applicant is not affiliated with any political party. An applicant not affiliated with any political party may request a ballot for a major political party. The applicant shall be sent the ballot for the political party that the applicant requested if that political party has provided under ORS 254.365 for a primary election that admits electors not affiliated with any political party.

(3) An application for a special absentee ballot shall be valid only for the election specified in the application.

(4) The county clerk shall list on the special absentee ballot the offices and measures scheduled to appear on the regular ballot, if known when the ballot is prepared, and provide space in which the elector may write in the elector’s preference.

(5) The elector may write in the name of any eligible candidate for each office to be filled or for which nominations will be made at the election, and may vote on any measure submitted at the election. [1985 c.720 §2; 1987 c.719 §§8,25; 1989 c.503 §§38,39; 1995 c.712 §50; 1999 c.999 §44]

253.570 [1955 c.332 §11; 1957 c.641 §18; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.575 County clerk duties upon receipt of application for special ballot; application as valid voter registration; replacement ballots. (1) Upon receipt of an application made under ORS 253.565, if the applicant’s residence is in the county, the county clerk, without regard to whether the applicant is an elector of the county, shall mail to the applicant a special absentee ballot, instructions for filling in and returning the ballot and an envelope to use for the return. The name, official title and office address of the clerk shall appear on the front of the envelope. On the back shall appear a statement to be signed by the absent elector, stating that the elector:

(a) Is qualified to vote;

(b) Unless prevented by physical disability, has personally marked the ballot; and

(2) The completed and signed application submitted under ORS 253.565 shall constitute a valid registration for the applicant.

(3) If the county clerk receives an application for a special absentee ballot on or after the 45th day before the election specified in the application, the county clerk shall treat the application as an application made under ORS 253.540.

(4) A long term absent elector may obtain a replacement ballot if the ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost or not received by the elector. The county clerk shall keep a record of each replacement ballot provided under this subsection.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section, a replacement ballot may be mailed or shall be made available in the office of the county clerk.

(6) If the county clerk determines that a long term absent elector to whom a replacement ballot has been issued at the request of the elector has voted more than once, the county clerk shall not count any ballot cast by the elector. If the county clerk is required to reissue ballots due to a change on the ballot for any reason, that ballot shall be counted in lieu of any previous ballot issued unless:

(a) Only the original ballot was voted and returned; or

(b) The county clerk issued a supplemental ballot that is not a complete replacement of the original ballot. [1985 c.720 §3; 1989 c.923 §2; 1991 c.719 §51; 1993 c.713 §61; 1995 c.607 §37; 1999 c.318 §34; 1999 c.410 §36]

253.580 [1955 c.332 §14; 1957 c.641 §19; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.585 Receipt of long term absent elector ballots by Secretary of State. (1) The Secretary of State may receive ballots from long term absent electors.

(2) If the Secretary of State receives a ballot cast by a long term absent elector, the Secretary of State shall deliver the ballot to the county clerk or elections officer of the county in which the elector who cast the ballot is registered.

(3) A ballot received by the Secretary of State under this section not later than 8 p.m. of the day of the election shall be considered to have been received by the 8 p.m. deadline specified in ORS 253.070. [2003 c.64 §5]

253.590 [1955 c.332 §12; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.600 [1955 c.332 §13; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.610 [1955 c.332 §6; 1957 c.641 §20; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.620 [1955 c.332 §15; 1957 c.641 §21; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.630 [1955 c.332 §10; repealed by 1957 c.641 §23]

253.640 State officers to coordinate voting by long term absent electors with federal authorities. All public officers having duties under ORS 253.500 to 253.640 shall coordinate their efforts with any federal authority to facilitate voting by long term absent electors, so that these electors may cast their ballots with the least possible interference with the performance of their duties. [1955 c.332 §4; 1979 c.190 §223]

253.645 Electors called to active military duty. In the event of a national emergency, the Secretary of State shall assure that any elector called to active military duty is not unnecessarily denied the opportunity to vote simply because of military duty. [1991 c.71 §14]

253.650 [1955 c.332 §17; 1957 c.641 §22; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.660 [1955 c.332 §5; repealed by 1957 c.641 §23]

253.670 [1955 c.332 §19; 1979 c.190 §216; renumbered 253.500]

253.690 Casting ballot using facsimile machine or by electronic mail; waiver; rules. (1) A long term absent elector described in ORS 253.510 may cast a ballot using a facsimile machine or by electronic mail as provided in this section. Notwithstanding ORS 254.470 (8), a ballot cast under this section shall be counted only if the ballot:

(a) Is received in the office of the county clerk not later than 8 p.m. on the day of the election;

(b) Is accompanied by a return identification envelope containing the signature of the elector and a signed waiver described in subsection (2) of this section; and

(2) Each elector who casts a ballot under this section shall complete and submit a waiver described in this subsection. The elector shall attest to the information supplied on the waiver by signing the completed waiver. The Secretary of State by rule shall design the form of the waiver, which shall include all of the following:

(a) Space for the elector to provide the elector’s full name, residence or mailing address, an electronic mail address, phone or facsimile number where the elector may be contacted and any other necessary information.

(b) A waiver in substantially the following form:

______________________________________________________________________________

I, _____________, acknowledge that by casting my voted ballot using a facsimile machine or by electronic mail I have waived my right to a secret ballot.

______________________________________________________________________________

(c) A statement to notify the elector that the elector’s ballot will not be counted unless the elector has complied with the provisions of this section.

(d) Space for the elector to provide the elector’s signature to attest to the information supplied.

(3)(a) If a ballot is cast under this section using a facsimile machine, the return identification envelope and waiver shall also be submitted using a facsimile machine.

(b) If a ballot is cast under this section by electronic mail, the return identification envelope and waiver shall also be submitted by electronic mail.

(4) The county clerk shall verify the signature of each elector on the return identification envelope transmitted by facsimile machine or electronic mail under this section with the signature on the elector’s registration card, according to the procedure provided by rules adopted by the Secretary of State.

(5) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to administer this section and to ensure the secrecy of ballots cast using a facsimile machine or by electronic mail to the greatest extent possible. [2009 c.619 §2; 2010 c.9 §5; 2011 c.294 §1]

253.700 Duty to challenge absentee ballot; procedures. (1) The county clerk, an elections official or any elector shall challenge the absentee ballot of any person offering to vote as an absent elector whom the clerk, official or elector knows or suspects not to be qualified as an elector. The person’s ballot may be challenged at any time before the ballot is removed from its return envelope for processing.

(2) A challenge to an absentee ballot of a person offering to vote shall be made under oath or affirmation before the clerk and shall be in writing on a numbered challenge form. The statement shall contain the name and residence address of the challenger, the name of the person challenged and a statement of the facts upon which the challenge is based. Any elections official may administer the oath or affirmation required under this subsection. [1985 c.808 §32; 1999 c.410 §37; 2007 c.154 §18]

253.710 Alteration of application prohibited; exceptions. No person shall alter any information supplied on an application for an absentee ballot except:

(1) An elections officer in the performance of official duties.

(2) The applicant. [1985 c.808 §33]

253.990 [Subsection (2) enacted as 1955 c.332 §18; repealed by 1979 c.190 §431]

253.995 [1985 c.808 §34; repealed by 1999 c.318 §55]

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