Oregon DMV errors lead to 300 non-citizens registered to vote since 2021

Oregon officials have confirmed that over 300 non-citizens were mistakenly registered to vote since 2021 due to a data entry error at the DMV. This issue arose when individuals applied for driver’s licenses, as the DMV automatically registers applicants to vote. The error was partly facilitated by the state’s policy allowing non-citizens to obtain driver’s licenses since 2019. DMV staff may have incorrectly coded applicants as having U.S. citizenship based on their documentation. The Oregon Department of Transportation conducted an initial analysis revealing that 306 non-citizens were registered, with two having voted in elections since 2021. State and federal laws prohibit non-citizens from participating in elections, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process. DMV Administrator Amy Joyce indicated that further checks are underway to identify additional errors in voter registration. Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade announced that the individuals affected will be notified by mail, clarifying that they will not receive ballots unless they prove their eligibility to vote. Despite the regrettable nature of this error, she emphasized the benefits of automatic voter registration, which has been implemented to streamline the process for eligible voters. Governor Tina Kotek reassured the public that this situation will not affect the upcoming 2024 election. With over 3 million registered voters in Oregon, the number of mistakenly registered non-citizens represents a small fraction of the electorate, but the incident highlights the importance of accurate data entry and verification processes in maintaining electoral integrity.