Oregon DMV Resumes Automatic Voter Registration After Review
Salem, Oregon — The Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) division announced today the reinstatement of automatic voter registration for residents obtaining or renewing their driver’s licenses, permits, or state ID cards. This decision comes following an October directive by Governor Tina Kotek to pause the program after the DMV mistakenly registered over 1,600 individuals who lacked proof of U.S. citizenship, a requirement to vote in Oregon.
Since the suspension, state officials have implemented comprehensive reviews of DMV processes, including third-party evaluation by Deloitte. Investigations revealed that 17 of the improperly registered individuals voted, with some identified as citizens later. Consequently, the Oregon Department of Justice has initiated criminal investigations into three individuals who allegedly voted inappropriately.
Governor Kotek expressed confidence in the DMV’s updated processes, stating, “Oregon’s electoral system is one of the most secure, effective, and accessible in the nation.” She emphasized the importance of correcting any errors that could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
In anticipation of the program’s relaunch, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read disclosed new safeguards: daily checks to match DMV files with the Elections Division, regular random sampling for accuracy, and an annual review by election officials and IT experts. “These new protections will help us catch and fix government data entry errors faster,” Read assured, while asserting that ensuring the integrity of Oregon’s elections remains the top priority.
This measure marks a significant step in improving voter registration processes in Oregon and restoring public trust in the electoral system.
This article was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering rural Oregon issues.
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