Bend, OR – Oregon’s Attorney General Dan Rayfield confirmed on Friday that a criminal investigation has been launched into three individuals who may have voted illegally after being mistakenly registered by state officials. The investigation follows a referral from Oregon elections officials earlier this month, who flagged the cases for further review.
While these instances are rare, Rayfield stressed the importance of thoroughly examining the cases to maintain the integrity of Oregon’s elections. “It is our responsibility to investigate thoroughly and ensure that all voting is conducted in accordance with the law,” Rayfield said in a statement. “Ensuring the integrity of Oregon’s elections is a priority for our office. We will take appropriate action based on the facts and evidence we find as the result of our investigation.”
The details surrounding the potential illegal votes remain unclear, with state officials yet to specify which elections were involved or the exact nationalities of those who may have voted. However, officials have suggested that the individuals did not intentionally register to vote.
The confusion stems from errors made by the state’s Driver and Motor Vehicles division, which oversees voter registration under Oregon’s Motor Voter law, implemented in 2016. This law automatically registers individuals to vote when they obtain or renew a state ID, as long as they provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
However, in September, DMV officials revealed that staff errors had led to more than 1,600 people being mistakenly registered to vote, including individuals who had provided foreign passports or birth certificates that did not confirm U.S. citizenship. Additionally, some individuals born in American Samoa—who are not automatically U.S. citizens—were also erroneously added to the voter rolls.
It is illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in Oregon, and those who do so knowingly face potential penalties, including up to a year in jail. The investigation into these three cases comes as state officials continue to review the broader scope of mistakes and address potential impacts on past elections.
Oregon, with a population of over 3 million registered voters, has long prided itself on voter accessibility, with the Motor Voter law being a cornerstone of its efforts. However, this error serves as a reminder of the complexities in ensuring voter eligibility is accurately verified. The state’s elections office has committed to rectifying the issue and preventing similar mistakes in the future, while continuing to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
