reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
OR Rev Stat § 254.415 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.415 - Challenging ballot of person offering to vote; statement of challenge.

(1) The county clerk, an elections official or any elector shall challenge the ballot of any person offering to vote whom the clerk, official or elector knows or suspects not to be qualified as an elector. (2) The clerk, official or elector challenging the ballot shall make, under oath or affirmation before a county clerk or other elections official, a written and numbered statement of challenge. The statement shall contain the name and residence address of the challenger, the name of the person challenged and a statement of the facts upon which the challenge is based. (3) A person’s ballot may be challenged at any time before the ballot is removed from its return envelope for processing. [Formerly 250.350; 1981 c.142 §4; 1985 c.808 §38; 1991 c.14 §1; 1995 c.607 §81; 1999 c.410 §55; 2007 c.154 §37]
OR Rev Stat § 254.420 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.420

[Amended by 1975 c.627 §2; 1977 c.487 §4; 1979 c.190 §138; renumbered 249.875]
OR Rev Stat § 254.426 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.426 - Procedure on challenged ballot.

(1) Whenever any person offers to vote a ballot challenged under ORS 254.415, the county clerk shall ensure that the ballot offered by the person includes the number of the written statement of challenge so that the ballot may be identified in any future contest of the election. (2) The county clerk shall examine the challenge and determine if the person is validly registered to vote and if the vote was properly cast. The ballot shall be counted only if the county clerk determines the person is validly registered. (3) The county clerk shall ensure that the information on the numbered written statement is treated as confidential so that in the event of a recount of votes it cannot be determined how any challenged person voted. (4) The county clerk shall mail to each person offering to vote a ballot challenged under ORS 254.415 a written statement that describes the nature of the challenge. If the person does not provide evidence sufficient to verify the person’s registration by the deadline described in subsection (5) of this section, the registration of the person shall be considered inactive until the person updates or verifies the registration, the registration is canceled or the county clerk determines that the person is validly registered. (5) The registration of each person offering to vote a ballot challenged under ORS 254.415 shall be verified not later than the 14th calendar day after the date of the election in order for the vote of the person to be counted. [1991 c.14 §3; 1993 c.713 §33; 1995 c.607 §82; 2009 c.511 §9; 2013 c.695 §1]
OR Rev Stat § 254.431 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.431 - Special procedure for ballots challenged due to failure to sign return envelope or nonmatching signature; public record limitation.

(1) If a ballot is challenged because it is returned in an unsigned return identification envelope or because the signature of an elector on a return identification envelope does not match the signature in the voter registration record for the elector, the county clerk shall mail to the elector a notice that describes the nature of the challenge. The Secretary of State shall design a standard form to be used in all notifications sent by county clerks under this subsection. (2)(a) In order for the vote of the elector to be counted, the elector must provide evidence sufficient to disprove the challenge not later than the 21st calendar day after the date of the election. In the case of an unsigned return identification envelope, providing sufficient evidence may include completing a certified statement on a form provided by the county clerk. The Secretary of State shall design a standard form to be used for certified statements made under this paragraph. (b) If the elector does not provide evidence sufficient to disprove a challenge alleging that the signature of the elector on a return identification envelope does not match the signature in the voter registration record for the elector by the 21st calendar day after the date of the election, the registration of the elector shall be considered inactive. (3)(a) The filing officer may not release as a public record any information that could be used to identify an elector whose ballot has been challenged under this section until the 15th calendar day after the date of an election. (b) Following the 14th calendar day after the date of an election, the filing officer may disclose as a public record under ORS 192.311 to 192.478 the following information about each elector whose ballot was challenged under this section: (A) The name of the elector; (B) The residence addresses of the elector; and (C) The reason the elector’s ballot is being challenged. (4) The provisions of ORS 247.281 apply to an elector whose registration becomes inactive under this section. (5) As used in this section, "filing officer" means: (a) The Secretary of State, for federal or statewide elections and for elections to the office of state Senator or Representative; or (b) The county clerk, for county, city or district elections. [2013 c.695 §3; 2014 c.67 §3; 2014 c.112 §3; 2015 c.169 §5; 2017 c.749 §49; 2021 c.233 §4; 2021 c.551 §16]
OR Rev Stat § 254.445 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.445 - Assistance in marking ballot; use of sample ballot as aid in voting.

(1) If an elector is within the county and, because of a physical disability or an inability to read or write, is unable to mark the ballot, the elector may request and shall receive the assistance of two persons of different parties provided by the clerk or of some other person chosen by the elector in marking the ballot. The persons assisting the elector shall ascertain the wishes of the elector and assist the elector in voting the ballot accordingly, and thereafter may give no information regarding the vote. (2) A person may not assist an elector under subsection (1) of this section if the person: (a) Is an employer of the elector or an agent of the employer; or (b) Is an officer or agent of the union of which the elector is a member. (3) In preparing the ballot, an elector may use or copy a sample ballot, which may be marked in advance to assist the elector in marking the official ballot. [Formerly 250.690; 1985 c.471 §11; 1999 c.410 §56; 2007 c.154 §38]
OR Rev Stat § 254.450 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.450

[Amended by 1979 c.190 §137; renumbered 249.870]
OR Rev Stat § 254.458 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.458 - Alternatives to return identification envelope procedures.

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of ORS 254.470: (a) A county clerk may apply to the Secretary of State for approval of any procedure to be used in lieu of the return identification envelope procedures described in ORS 254.470; and (b) Upon receiving an application under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the secretary may approve a procedure to be used in lieu of the return identification envelope procedures described in ORS 254.470 if the secretary determines that the procedure will provide substantially the same degree of secrecy as ORS 254.470. (2) A procedure approved by the secretary under this section must comply with the prohibitions set forth in ORS 254.470 (13). [1995 c.607 §84; 2007 c.154 §39; 2019 c.508 §5; 2021 c.551 §14]
OR Rev Stat § 254.460 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.460

[Amended by 1979 c.190 §139; renumbered 249.880]
OR Rev Stat § 254.465 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.465 - Elections to be conducted by mail; rules.

(1) County clerks shall conduct all elections in this state by mail. (2) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to: (a) Provide for uniformity in the conduct of state elections by mail; and (b) Govern the procedures for conducting elections by mail. [1981 c.805 §1; 1983 c.199 §1; 1985 c.575 §1; 1987 c.267 §80; 1987 c.357 §2; 1991 c.719 §12; 1993 c.493 §§41,42; 1995 c.712 §64; 1999 c.3 §1; 1999 c.999 §53; 2007 c.154 §1]
OR Rev Stat § 254.471 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.471 - Extension of deadline for returning ballots in case of emergency.

(1) Notwithstanding ORS 171.185, 203.085, 221.230, 221.621, 254.056, 254.470, 254.655, 255.335, 255.345, 258.075, 545.135 and 568.520, the Governor by written proclamation may extend the deadline for returning ballots in any state, county, city or district election if the Governor receives a written request for the extension from the Secretary of State. The secretary may request the Governor to extend the deadline for returning ballots under this section if, after consultation with affected county clerks, the secretary determines that it would be impossible or impracticable for electors to return ballots or for elections officials to tally ballots due to an emergency as defined in ORS 401.025. (2) The Governor may not extend the deadline for returning ballots in any state, county, city or district election under subsection (1) of this section for more than seven calendar days after the date of the election. (3) The written proclamation required under subsection (1) of this section shall state: (a) The determination of the Governor; (b) The reason the deadline for returning ballots was extended; and (c) The date and time by which ballots must be returned in the election. (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the Governor extends the deadline for returning ballots under subsection (1) of this section, a county clerk in any county in this state may not order a tally report from any vote tally machine in the election until the date and time set by the Governor by which ballots must be returned in the election. [2007 c.183 §2; 2009 c.718 §18]
OR Rev Stat § 254.472 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.472 - Compartments for marking ballots.

The county clerk shall provide, at any location where ballots are issued, at least three suitable compartments, shelves or tables at which electors may mark their ballots. The arrangement of the compartments, shelves or tables shall ensure that the elector may conveniently mark the ballot with absolute secrecy. The compartments, shelves or tables shall be available during the entire time that ballots may be issued. [1999 c.410 §42]
OR Rev Stat § 254.473 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.473 - State payment for return of ballots by mail.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, for each election held in this state, electors shall be provided with a return identification envelope that may be returned by business reply mail. The state shall bear the cost of complying with this subsection. (2) The Secretary of State may require that the return identification envelopes provided to electors be returned by mail by using a method other than business reply mail if the secretary determines that an alternative method is more cost effective or efficient. The state shall bear the cost of returning ballots by mail under any method adopted by the secretary under this subsection. (3) As used in this section, "business reply mail" means a mailing service allowing a preaddressed return identification envelope to be mailed by an elector without charge, with the state paying the mailing fee for a return identification envelope that is returned by United States mail but not for a return identification envelope that is not returned by United States mail. [2019 c.638 §2]
OR Rev Stat § 254.474 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.474 - Voting booths for primary and general elections.

(1) At each primary election and general election, the county clerk shall maintain voting booths in the county as follows: (a) In each county with 35,000 or more electors in the county, the county clerk shall maintain a number of voting booths equal to at least one voting booth for every 20,000 electors in the county; and (b) In each county with fewer than 35,000 electors in the county, the county clerk shall maintain at least one voting booth. (2) The county clerk may determine the location of the voting booths required under this section. [1999 c.1002 §4; 1999 c.999 §54b; 2007 c.154 §41]
OR Rev Stat § 254.475 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.475

[Formerly 250.225; 1987 c.267 §51; 1993 c.713 §35; 1995 c.607 §44; renumbered 254.483 in 1999]
OR Rev Stat § 254.476 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.476 - Personnel for counting ballots.

The county clerk may employ personnel as necessary to open envelopes, prepare ballots for counting and count ballots. The personnel may not all be members of the same political party. A candidate on the ballot at an election, other than an incumbent candidate for county clerk, or a person who is the spouse, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sibling, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, stepparent or stepchild of any candidate on the ballot may not be employed and may not serve as a volunteer in the capacity described in this section. [1999 c.410 §41; 2009 c.511 §10]
OR Rev Stat § 254.478 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.478 - Preparation for counting ballots; scanning ballots into vote tally system.

(1) Subject to ORS 260.705, upon receipt of ballots, the county clerk may: (a) Begin opening return identification envelopes of ballots and any used secrecy envelopes of ballots; and (b) In accordance with a security plan approved by the Secretary of State under ORS 254.074, begin scanning ballots into a vote tally system. (2) The county clerk may take any other actions that are necessary to count ballots. [1999 c.1002 §2; 2001 c.965 §15; 2009 c.592 §1; 2021 c.473 §15; 2021 c.551 §22]
OR Rev Stat § 254.480 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.480 - Replacement ballots.

(1) An elector may obtain a replacement ballot described in ORS 254.470. To vote a replacement ballot, the elector must complete and sign a replacement ballot request form. The request for a replacement ballot may be made electronically, by telephone, in writing, in person or by other means designated by the Secretary of State by rule. (2) The replacement ballot request form shall be mailed or made available to the elector along with the replacement ballot. (3) Upon receiving a request for a replacement ballot, the county clerk shall: (a) Verify the registration of the elector and ensure that another ballot has not been returned by the elector; (b) Note in the list of electors that the elector has requested a replacement ballot; (c) Mark the return identification envelope clearly so that it may be readily identified as a replacement ballot; and (d) Issue the replacement ballot by mail or other means. (4) The completed and signed replacement ballot request form and the voted replacement ballot must be received at the office of the county clerk, a place of deposit designated by the county clerk or any location described in ORS 254.472 or 254.474 not later than the end of the period determined under ORS 254.470 (1) on the date of the election. (5) Upon receiving a voted replacement ballot, the county clerk shall verify that a completed and signed replacement ballot request form has been received by the county clerk or is included with the voted replacement ballot. If a request form has been completed and signed by the elector and received by the county clerk, the county clerk shall process the ballot. If the request form is not completed or signed by the elector or received by the county clerk, the county clerk may not process the ballot. [2001 c.965 §27; 2007 c.154 §42; 2008 c.53 §6; 2009 c.511 §25]
OR Rev Stat § 254.482 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.482 - Persons authorized to watch receiving and counting of votes.

After the date that ballots are mailed as provided in ORS 254.470, the county clerk, if requested, shall permit authorized persons to be at the office of the county clerk to watch the receiving and counting of votes. The authorization shall be in writing, shall be signed by an officer or its county affiliate of a political party, a candidate or the county clerk and shall be filed with the county clerk. The county clerk shall permit only so many persons as watchers under this section as will not interfere with an orderly procedure at the office of the county clerk. [2001 c.805 §3; 2005 c.797 §56]
OR Rev Stat § 254.483 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.483 - Ballot security; destruction of unused ballots.

(1) Each county clerk is responsible for the safekeeping, disposition and security of all ballots. (2) As soon as practicable after the final day permitted for a contest of the election or for filing a demand for a recount, the county clerk shall destroy all unused ballots. [Formerly 254.475; 2007 c.154 §43; 2013 c.679 §2]
OR Rev Stat § 254.485 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.485 - Tally of ballots; test of vote tally system; rules.

(1) Ballots may be tallied by a vote tally system or by a counting board. A counting board may tally ballots at the precinct or in the office of the county clerk. In any event, the ballots shall be tallied and returned by precinct. (2) If a vote tally system is used, the county clerk shall repeat the public certification test described under ORS 254.235 (1). The test shall be conducted immediately prior to scanning any ballots. The test may be observed by persons described in ORS 254.235 (2). The county clerk shall certify the results of the test. (3) If a counting board has been appointed, the tally of ballots may begin on the date of the election. (4)(a) If ballots are tallied by a counting board, after the tally has begun it shall continue until completed. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a counting board shall tally without adjournment and in the presence of the clerks and persons authorized to attend. (b) A counting board may be relieved by another board if the tally is not completed after 12 hours. (5) A counting board shall audibly announce the tally as it proceeds. The board shall use only pen and ink to tally. (6) For ballots cast using a voting machine, the county clerk shall: (a) Enter the ballots cast using the machine into the vote tally system; and (b) In the event of a recount, provide the paper record copy recorded by the machine to the counting board. (7) A person other than the county clerk, a member of a counting board or any other elections official designated by the county clerk may not tally ballots under this chapter. (8) The Secretary of State shall by rule establish a procedure for announcing the status of the tally of the ballots received after the date of the election. Rules adopted under this subsection must: (a) Consider the number of ballots being released in relation to the size of the district; (b) Prioritize voter anonymity; and (c) After prioritizing voter anonymity under paragraph (b) of this subsection, prioritize the importance of timely reporting election results. [1979 c.190 §270; 1995 c.607 §45; 1999 c.318 §37; 1999 c.410 §58; 2001 c.965 §23; 2005 c.731 §5; 2005 c.797 §68; 2007 c.154 §44; 2009 c.592 §3; 2021 c.551 §4]
OR Rev Stat § 254.495 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.495 - Tally and return sheets; counting and tallying ballots.

(1) To tally ballots by hand, the counting board shall use the tally sheets and two copies of the return sheet. (2) The completed tally and return sheets shall contain: (a) The offices on the ballot; (b) The number and name of each candidate who received a vote; (c) The total number of votes cast for each candidate and each measure voted upon; and (d) The total number of votes cast for and against the measure. (3) The tally and return sheets, when completed, shall be certified correct by the counting board that kept them. [Formerly 250.471; 2007 c.154 §45]
OR Rev Stat § 254.500 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.500 - Tally of write-in votes.

(1) This section governs the tally of votes cast for persons whose names were not printed on the ballot but are written in by electors. All such write-in votes for each office on the ballot shall be tallied together, except as follows: (a) If the total number of write-in votes for candidates for the same nomination or office equals or exceeds the number of votes cast for any candidate for the same nomination or office on the ballot who appears to have been nominated or elected, the county clerk shall tally all write-in votes cast for the office to show the total number of votes cast for each write-in candidate. (b) If no names of candidates are printed on the ballot for an office, the county clerk shall tally the votes cast for each candidate for the office who received a vote. (2) No person other than the county clerk, a member of a counting board or any other elections official designated by the county clerk may tally write-in votes. [1985 c.508 §2; 1993 c.493 §45; 1995 c.607 §46; 1999 c.318 §38]
OR Rev Stat § 254.505 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections|Chapter 254 - Conduct of Elections|Section 254.505 - Ballots to be counted; void ballots; partially void ballots.

(1) Only official ballots may be counted. Any vote from which it is impossible to determine the elector’s choice for the office or measure may not be counted. An elector may not place on the ballot a sticker bearing the name of a person or use any other method or device, except writing or using a voting machine, to vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot. Any ballot that has a sticker or other device is void and may not be counted. Counting board clerks shall disregard misspelling or abbreviations of the names of candidates if it can be ascertained from the ballot for whom the vote was intended. (2) When ballots are counted by counting boards, the board chairperson, using ink, immediately shall initial the back of the wholly or partially void ballot and write on it "Not counted for ______" (stating the office or measure). The counting board shall seal the wholly void ballots in an envelope. [Formerly 250.510; 1999 c.410 §59; 2007 c.154 §46]