Opinion ID: 774366
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Oregon law.

Text: 12 Oregon law provides that electionsshall be held the first Tuesday after the first Monday for federal and other offices. 12 But citizens do not necessarily vote on that day. Oregon has adopted a novel procedure of allowing all voters to vote by mail for a substantial period before election day. Oregon law now provides that the regular biennial elections shall be conducted by mail. 13 The statute establishes an extended period, rather than a single day, during which citizens may vote. County clerks must mail the blank official ballots to all registered voters between 14 and 20 days preceding the election. 14 Voters can mail the ballots back or deposit them at any time between when they receive them and election day. 15 Mailed ballots are counted only if they are received no later than election day, 16 so the scheme contemplates that they will be mailed prior to election day. Voting by mail does not require any certification that the voter will be out of the district on voting day or will be otherwise inconvenienced or unable to vote in person. 17 13 A vestige of traditional voting days remains. Voters may vote the traditional way, by casting their ballots in person at a central location on voting day if they choose. 18 The Secretary of State must designate places of deposit  for ballots, which must be kept open on voting day for at least eight hours and at least until 8:00 P.M. 19 Voters have the right to deposit their ballots at that place instead of mailing them in. 20 In addition to depositing a ballot at a place of deposit, any voter may obtain a replacement ballot and cast it at the county clerk's office or one central location in the electoral district if the ballot mailed to them is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or never received. 21 14