Oregon's general election is November 4, 2008.
Last day to register to vote is October 14, 2008. Register here.
Alternate Format Ballot
If you are not able to use a standard ballot independently, now there is a new tool that may help. The Alternate Format Ballot, or AFB, allows a voter to mark her ballot using a computer. The AFB is e-mailed directly to the voter. Alternatively, the AFB is mailed to the voter on a computer disc. The voter, using her own computer and, if necessary, assistive technology, opens the AFB, marks it, prints it and returns it in the ballot envelopes (the secrecy envelope and the signature envelope), the same as a standard ballot. The AFB allows many voters with disabilities to do what all Oregon voters without disabilities have the option of doing: vote from the privacy and comfort of their home. Many people with disabilities already have computers with accessibility features that they use on a daily basis to access a variety of information.
For those voters who do not have access to the required technology, each county election office will have at least one computer and printer dedicated as an accessible voting station. These computers will be equipped with accessibility features, including screen readers, switches, puff/sip capabilities, scanners, etc., that will allow voters with disabilities to have access. Finally, each county will have at least one laptop computer, also equipped with accessibility features, for use by county elections staff to provide assistance in a voter’s home (if the voter is homebound because of a disability) or in a community setting (e.g., senior center, nursing home, Independent Living Center).
For more information, watch the video found here. Contact your county elections office to request an AFB.
Trainings
Julie Anderson, a Disability Rights Oregon attorney, is available to provide trainings to voters with disabilities on voter rights, the types of assistance that are available to voters with disabilities (including the new Alternate Format Ballot), and voting materials that can help voters to be more informed.
Please call Julie at 1-800-880-1931 to request a training in your area.
Voter Toolkit
- Oregon Voters’ Bill of Rights: (pdf) or (doc)
- Value Sheet: (pdf) or (doc). Not sure which candidate to choose? Use this sheet to identify what’s important to you. If you care about something that is not listed here, then add it to your list. Then, find out what the candidates think (see the Voter Information page) and find who matches your values.
- Register to Vote
- Voter Information
Disability Rights Oregon
620 SW 5th Avenue, 5th Floor
Portland, Oregon, 97204-1428
503-243-2081 (Voice)
1-800-452-1694 (Voice)
503-323-9161 (TTY)
1-800-556-5351 (TTY)
