General Voting Questions

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A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding general voting questions. While this page includes FAQs, they are not legal advice. For exact language and legal requirements, view Portland City Code and City Charter.


How many registered voters are in the City of Portland?

In Oregon, voter registration is handled by County Elections Offices.

The City Elections Office calculates this figure at every election. At the May 16, 2023 Special Election, there were 453,225registered City of Portlandvoters. 

The majority of Portland is located in Multnomah County, with a small number of voters in Clackamas & Washington Counties.  For more recent voter registration numbers than the above contact the County Elections Offices within Portland.

How do I contact my elected officials?

Follow the links below for contact information for City, County, State & Federal elected officials:

City Elected Officials

Federal, State & Other Local Elected Officials

How do I request an absentee ballot?

Absentee ballots are available 45 days before an election.  Any registered voter who wishes to have their ballot mailed to an address other than their residence may use the Secretary of State’s Oregon Absentee Ballot Request Form (fillable PDF) and return it to their County Elections Office, update online at My Vote, or request an absentee ballot from their County Elections Office:

How does Vote at Home work?

Your County Elections Office will mail you information on how to vote. For more general information regarding the vote at home process, read the Secretary of State's Vote By Mail Guide and Voting in Oregon web page. In addition, Multnomah County Elections has educational resources for the vote by mail process. 

Questions about your ballot (where to get a ballot, how to get a replacement ballot, where to drop off your ballot, what to do if you forget to sign your ballot, or change your address etc.) are best answered by your County Elections Office:

Am I eligible to register to vote?

You can register to vote if you can answer yes to each of the following questions:

→ Are you a resident of Oregon?

→ Are you a US citizen?

→ Are you at least 16 years old?

How do I register to vote?  

You may register to vote online or by downloading the registration form and sending it to your County Elections Office. You may also register at in person at your County Elections Office, the office of the Secretary of State, or any Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office. 

For more information on how to register to vote, please visit the State of Oregon's website for Elections Questions and Answers.  

When are the next regularly scheduled election dates?

Primary Election: May 2024 (Note: no Portland City candidates will appear on the primary election ballot)

General Election: November 5, 2024


Have additional questions? Please contact the City Elections Office at elections@portlandoregon.gov or 503-865-6503.