A recent audit uncovered that the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) mistakenly registered 1,259 noncitizens to vote over the past three years. The error has raised concerns about the integrity of the voter registration process, though officials say that noncitizen voting remains exceedingly rare in the state.
Steps Taken to Address the Error
Upon learning of the mistake, the DMV said it implemented several corrective measures aimed at preventing future errors:
- Verification of Birth Certificates: DMV staff must now enter both the state and country for all U.S. birth certificates presented during registration.
- Daily Document Verification: DMV managers are now required to ensure that the documents submitted for identification are cross-checked with entries in the department’s system by the end of each day.
These measures are designed to ensure that individuals are properly vetted before being added to the voter rolls.
Audit Results Surpass Earlier Estimates
The findings of the audit revealed a figure four times higher than the estimate released just earlier this month, indicating a more significant issue than initially thought.
Fox News reported that 10 of the noncitizens who were mistakenly registered went on to cast a ballot. However, at least one of these individuals became a U.S. citizen prior to voting, suggesting that the number of ineligible voters is likely very small:
The enrollment error was first unearthed earlier this month, with officials admitting to wrongly registering around 300 voters through an Oregon DMV program that registers legal citizens when they obtain a driver’s license or state ID.
But this week, the DMV and Secretary of State’s office said a complete review showed 1,259 people who didn’t provide proof of U.S. citizenship were added to Oregon’s voter rolls, a number four times the previously reported figure.
Elections officials stressed that the individuals will not receive a ballot for the 2024 election but will be given the chance to re-register in time for the election if they are eligible.
Context and Statements from Officials
Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade (D) addressed the issue following the review, reiterating that instances of noncitizen voting are rare both in Oregon and across the country. This reassurance comes amid concerns about the accuracy of the state’s voter registration system, particularly ahead of the upcoming 2024 Oregon Secretary of State election, scheduled for Nov. 5, 2024.
Democrat Tobias Read and Republican Dennis Linthicum are the candidates vying for the office. Griffin-Valade, who was appointed to the role, has announced that she will not seek a full term.
Key Takeaways
A total of 1,259 noncitizens were mistakenly registered due to DMV errors.
Oregon DMV has enacted stricter verification processes to prevent further issues.
Noncitizen voting remains exceedingly rare, according to Oregon officials.
The full audit underscores the need for continued diligence but also confirms that safeguards remain in place for maintaining the integrity of Oregon’s elections.
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