Months after suspending its automatic voter registration program due to errors, Oregon has resumed the practice, insisting new safeguards will prevent noncitizens from being registered.
The state halted the program in late 2024 following an audit that uncovered nearly 1,600 cases where individuals, some without proof of U.S. citizenship, had been added to the voter rolls. The registration errors stemmed from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, which automatically enrolls individuals when they apply for identification unless they opt out.
Gov Kotek has reinstated Oregon’s Motor Voter Program following the implementation of new “protections.” We appreciate acknowledgement of previous data issues, but these actions fail to address the broader concerns surrounding election security in Oregon.https://t.co/6VDFSCeN81
— Oregon GOP (@Oregon_GOP) February 28, 2025
Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a temporary pause, citing concerns over election security. The DMV has since made several changes, including hiring a voter registration integrity analyst and adding new verification procedures to flag potential mistakes. Additionally, the agency has modified its data entry system to reduce human error.
They just approved doing automatic voter registration after last years dmfraud…Oregon is begging for a full Audit in every agency
— Honeybear1776 (@honeybear1776) March 1, 2025
Republican lawmakers have questioned the decision to restart the program, warning that the fixes may not be enough. State Sen. Daniel Bonham argued that “a patchwork of fixes won’t be enough to fully restore confidence.” Critics also argue that the system was reinstated without proper legislative oversight.
Another dubious achievement by OMVP not achieving anything except almost (48th) last in voter registration integrity.
— B Wilson-my 2 cents (@BWilson49269368) February 28, 2025
The controversy intensified after officials confirmed that 17 of the individuals wrongly registered had already voted. While most of these cases have been resolved, three remain under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice.
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read has attempted to reassure voters, stating that the new safeguards will ensure only eligible residents are registered. However, as election security remains a heated issue, Oregon’s voter registration system will likely continue to face scrutiny.
