April 26, 2022 — An informed voter is not just familiar with the candidates and issues on their ballot; an informed voter also has a plan to ensure they return their ballots to Lane County Elections in time to be counted.

Part of being an informed voter is:

• Checking your registration

Voters should confirm their registration details at www.oregonvotes.gov before the April 26 voter registration deadline. Voters can update their address if they have moved since the last time they voted. Voters can also confirm or update their political party affiliation. The May 17 election is a closed primary. Only members of the Democratic or Republican political parties will receive ballots that include that party’s candidates for partisan offices.

• Knowing when your ballot will arrive

Ballots will be mailed on April 28 and should arrive in most homes by May 4. Voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail should confirm their registration details at www.oregonvotes.gov.

• Signing the return envelope

Voters must remember to sign their ballot return envelope. The signature is a security measure used to verify identity. County personnel who have received training in handwriting analysis compare it to signatures in the voter registration record. A ballot may only be counted if the signatures match.

• Understanding how and when to return your ballot

To return by mail, voters must mail their ballots with enough time for processing and postmarking by the post office. Ballots must be postmarked no later than May 17, 2022.

To return directly to Lane County Elections, choose one of 21 official drop boxes located throughout Lane County – including a new location in North Springfield – that will be available to voters until 8 p.m. on Election Day (May 17).

• Being ready to return your ballot early

Returning your ballot early ensures your vote is counted and helps make the election process in Lane County more efficient.

Assistance is available over the phone at 541-682-4234 (weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and via email at [email protected]

Learn more online at lanecounty.org/elections.