Assistance for Voters with Special Needs

Assistance in Voting:

ORS 254.445 and Oregon Vote-by-Mail (pg 50):

Upon request, an elector is entitled to receive the assistance of two persons of different parties or by some other person chosen by the elector.

A person may not assist an elector if the person is:

• an employee of the elector or an agent of the employee; or
• an officer or agent of the union of which the elector is a member.

Elector must be able to convey their choices to the person(s) assisting.

Upon request from an elector, there are various locations where the elector may be provided assistance; such as the elector’s home, elections office, community service center, senior center or assisted living facility, or as agreed upon between elections staff and the elector.

What is extremely important is to call Lane County Elections as soon as possible to provide the elections office adequate time to arrange the necessary staff for such assistance. The closer to Election Day, there are more staffing conflicts due to the demands of the election.

Difficulty in Signing Ballot

If an elector has difficulty signing their ballot, either due to a temporary or permanent basis, there is the option of completing an updated voter registration card and a Signature Attestation Form. This allows a signature stamp or other indicator used by the voter to represent the voter’s signature on any election document.

The signature stamp or other indicator used by the voter to represent the voter’s signature shall be the same stamp or other indictor used by the voter to represent the voter’s signature on the attestation form and the voter’s registration form.

Any changes require completion of a new attestation form and voter registration form to show the new representation of the voter’s signature.

Oregon Law does not permit a spouse, caretaker, or someone with a power of attorney to sign or vote on behalf of a voter. The voter has to be able to convey their choices to the person(s) assisting and the voter has to make their own signature mark.

Any questions are to be directed to Lane County Elections 541-682-4234.

Additional resources are available from www.oradvocacy.org/

 

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