If you are a multiple home owner please be careful with your decision of primary residence for voter registration pursuant to ORS 247.035. Due to a flurry of emotional posts misadvising about this recently, I contacted our state representatives and state elections officials as to clarification on this issue.
The following two emails are an answer to the question of voter registration in Oregon for anyone who owns multiple houses.
Email #1
” From: Rep Gomberg <Rep.DavidGomberg@oregonlegislature.gov>
Date: August 15, 2022 at 10:02:51 AM PDT
To: Gerald Wineinger <gerald@wineinger.com>, Sen Armitage <Sen.RachelArmitage@oregonlegislature.gov>, Rep Weber <Rep.SuzanneWeber@oregonlegislature.gov>, mfbell@co.tillamook.or.us, dyamamoto@co.tillamook.or.us, Erin Skaar <eskaar@co.tillamook.or.us>
Cc: ROBERTS Bob * SOS <Bob.ROBERTS@oregon.gov>, elections.sos@sos.oregon.gov
Subject: RE: Voter Law Problem and Understanding in Manzanita
Thank you for your note, Gerald,
In simple, layman’s terms, the answer is “no”. Just because you are fortunate enough to own more than one property, you cannot change your voting “residence” without good reason. There is a principal place where you live. And that is where you vote.
ORS 247.035 states in part, “A person shall not be considered to have gained a residence (for voting purposes) in any location in this state into which the person comes for temporary purposes only, without the intention of making it the person’s home.” In determining voting residency, the statute states an election official may consider:
Where the person receives personal mail;
Where the person is licensed to drive;
Where the person registers motor vehicles for personal use;
Where any immediate family members of the person reside;
During a recent election in Lincoln County, the Clerk contacted people who had recently registered in Lincoln County but who asked to have ballots mailed outside the county. He asked for proof of local residency. Most subsequently asked to withdraw their registration change.
Ultimately, the County Clerk decides the validity of local electors.
I hope you find this helpful.
Warm Regards,
David “
Email #2
“From: ROBERTS Bob * SOS <Bob.ROBERTS@sos.oregon.gov>
Subject: RE: Voter Law Problem and Understanding in Manzanita
Date: August 15, 2022 at 9:34:42 AM PDT
To: Gerald Wineinger <gerald@wineinger.com>
Good morning Gerald,
Thank you for your emails regarding residency and voting. A person may register to vote using an address at which they have established residency. You correctly identify ORS 247.035 as the source for factors that an elections official may use to determine whether a person has established residency. Under ORS 247.035(1)(c) a person is not considered to have gained residency at a location where the person comes for temporary purposes only. Elections officials have the discretion to investigate such matters when the legitimacy of a voter’s residency is called into question.
Best regards,
Bob Roberts
Investigations and Legal Specialist
Oregon Secretary of State | Elections Division
255 Capitol Street NE, Suite 126 | Salem, OR 97310-1327
503.986.1518 Office | 503.373.7414 Facsimile”