How the Primary Election works in Oregon

The ballots have been mailed for the Primary Election and are due back by 8:00 p.m. on May 15th. 

The Primary Election is held in May of every even-numbered year.  It is also known as the Nominating election, because the parties are nominating the winning candidates in the Primary Election to the General Election ballot in November. 

Every registered voter will receive a ballot for the May 15 election.

Voters not affiliated with a political party, and those affiliated with a minor party (Constitution, Green, Libertarian, Progressive, Working Families) will be able to vote on non-partisan contests like judges, state Bureau of Labor & Industries Commissioner, and local offices.

Voters affiliated with the Democratic, Independent, or Republican parties will be able to vote on the above non-partisan contests as well as select the party nominee for partisan offices like US Congress, Governor, and state legislature. The deadline to change your political party for this election, was April 24th.