Republican lawmakers in Oregon are asking Democratic Governor Tina Kotek to ensure the integrity of the state’s voter rolls following reports that around 300 noncitizens have been mistakenly registered as voters since 2021. This error occurred due to Oregon’s policy of allowing noncitizens to obtain driver’s licenses since 2019, resulting in automatic voter registration for most individuals when obtaining a license or ID. Of the 306 noncitizens registered, two had voted in elections since 2021, in violation of state and federal laws prohibiting noncitizens from voting.
Oregon Senate Republican Minority Leader Daniel Bonham sent a letter to Governor Kotek’s office, urging her to implement measures similar to those outlined in an executive order issued by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. These measures include certifying the accuracy of voter lists by removing individuals who have moved, passed away, or are unable to verify their U.S. citizenship. This is aimed at enhancing public trust in the electoral process and ensuring fair, transparent, and secure elections.
The Oregon Department of Transportation, which oversees the DMV, is conducting a thorough check for additional errors and is likely to find more cases of noncitizens being mistakenly registered to vote. Counties such as Lane County, Clackamas County, Multnomah County, and Washington County have reported similar cases of noncitizens being registered as eligible voters. These individuals have been removed from the voter rolls and will no longer receive ballots unless they can confirm their U.S. citizenship.
DMV Administrator Amy Joyce clarified that the finding of noncitizens on voter rolls does not necessarily mean they were not U.S. citizens at the time they voted, but rather failed to provide proof of citizenship to the DMV. Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade stated that the 306 individuals involved will be notified by mail that they will not receive a ballot unless they can demonstrate eligibility to vote. Despite the regrettable error, Griffin-Valade emphasized the benefits of automatic voter registration and that only a tiny fraction of potential voters were affected.
More than 3 million people are currently registered to vote in Oregon, making the 300 mistakenly registered noncitizens a small percentage of the total voter population. The Secretary of State’s office and the Elections Division reiterate their commitment to automatic voter registration while working to rectify the error. The DMV’s lapses in registering noncitizens were initially reported by Willamette Week, prompting further investigation to ensure the accuracy and integrity of Oregon’s voter rolls. Governor Kotek’s response to these developments has yet to be provided.
