Oregon DMV resumes sending records for automatic voter registration after pause due to data errors

Oregon – Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services resumed sending records to the Oregon Secretary of State for automatic voter registration under the Oregon Motor Voter Act.

The act makes voter registration automatic with an opt-out process for Oregonians 16 and older who apply for or renew a state-issued driver’s license, permit, or ID card and provide documentation proving U.S. citizenship.

Governor Kotek ordered a temporary pause on these transfers in October 2024 after discovering clerical and policy errors that mistakenly registered more than 1,600 people to vote. Although most of those mistakenly registered did not vote, the governor emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence in the electoral system.

To prevent future errors, DMV implemented new safeguards, including hiring a Voter Registration Integrity Analyst, adding a third review process for file accuracy, and updating the user interface to separate foreign and U.S. citizenship documents on different screens.

Governor Kotek stated that Oregon’s electoral system remains one of the most secure and effective in the nation. With new controls in place and consistent data accuracy, the Oregon Motor Voter program has now resumed.