Oregon AG issues election guidance to law enforcement agencies and urges voters who did not receive a ballot to contact the secretary’s office

Oregon Emergency Management offers election information, resources for fighting hate and bias crimes

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – As Election Day approaches, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is urging all registered Oregon voters who have not yet received their ballot to contact respective district election commission. At this time, all ballots have been mailed and voters must have their ballots.

“If you’re registered to vote but haven’t received your ballot, it’s not too late to get one and vote! Voting is both a sacred duty and an irreplaceable right of citizenship, and I want to make sure that the voice of every registered voter is heard,” said AG Rosenblum.

Oregon ballots can be returned by mail as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than seven days after the election. If you wait until Election Day to mail your ballot, it is safest to take it directly to the nearest US post office to ensure a timely postmark.

Ballots can also be returned in the county clerk’s officeor in any of the safe, official boxes available statewide. Ballots will be sent to the district in which the voter is registered to vote.

An important resource for Oregonians is Voter Protection Hotline, which was launched earlier this month. The hotline is operated by the Oregon Department of Justice and will remain open until after the election. Its purpose is to help Oregon voters with non-emergency questions and any concerns they may have about the voting process. Messages to the hotline (971-673-4111) are checked regularly and calls are returned within 24 hours on weekdays and Mondays after weekends.

AG Rosenblum says voters should also call the hotline if they suspect or experience something that comes close to voter intimidation at the mailbox, ballot box or elsewhere.

In addition to providing information to the public about their rights as voters, ODOJ provides pre-election guidance for Oregon law enforcement.

“Interference with the voter’s right to vote – in any case – is a crime and violators will be prosecuted. Our law enforcement partners are an integral part of ensuring safe and fair elections,” added Rosenblum.

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Election notification process and resources to combat hate and bias crimes
Oregon Department of Emergency Management – 01.11.24 16:51

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to maintaining security and preparedness during and after the election. OEM emphasizes the importance of combating hate and bias crimes that affect our communities.

Understanding hate crimes:

A hate crime is defined as a crime motivated in part or in whole by prejudice against an actual or perceived protected class of another person, including race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Examples of hate crimes:

• Racist or discriminatory graffiti.
• Theft or destruction of symbols such as Pride flags.
• Threats containing obscene or offensive language.
• Physical attack on someone’s person.

Reporting hate crimes:

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate crime, it is extremely important to report the incident. Oregonians have access to the following reporting resources:

Non-Extraordinary Bias Hotline
phone: 1-844-924-BIAS (1-844-924-2427)
In stock: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm Pacific Time

Details: Traumatologists are ready to help. Interpretation services are available in more than 240 languages. If you call outside of business hours, leave a message and someone will call you back.

Online reporting:

Bias crimes and incidents can also be reported via the Oregon Department of Justice’s Bias Crime Reporting website.

support:

An important resource for Oregonians is Voter protection hotlineadministered by the Oregon Department of Justice. It hotlinelaunched earlier this month, will remain active until after the election to help voters resolve non-emergency questions and concerns about the voting process. The hotline number is 971-673-4111 and messages are reviewed regularly and calls are returned within 24 hours on weekdays and Mondays after weekends. Voters should call the hotline if they suspect or have experienced any type of voter intimidation, at the ballot box or elsewhere.

Trauma-informed support is key when dealing with hate crime. Being “trauma informed” means understanding how trauma affects people. This means knowing how trauma can change a person’s feelings, actions, and overall well-being. Being trauma informed means we create a safe and supportive space to help people heal without making things worse. It’s about compassion, knowing what the victim needs, and providing the right help and support.

To learn more about how to be aware of and report incidents of election bias, visit State Secretary and Websites of the Ministry of Justice.

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The mission of the Oregon Emergency Management Agency is to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during disasters. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times of crisis. The agency leads a statewide collaborative effort, including all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure emergency response capability and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more OEM information, visit the website oregon.gov/oem.