Here's How Motor Voter Changes Oregon's Election Day—Or Maybe Doesn't

Most new voters didn't pick a party and, so far, haven't actually voted.

By Nigel Jaquiss

In 2015, Oregon lawmakers passed the first motor voter law in the nation, as originally proposed by then-Secretary of State Kate Brown. The new law automatically registers to vote any eligible Oregonian who gets a new or replacement driver's license or state identification card. Since the law went into effect Jan. 1, 2016, it has added about 250,000 voters to the rolls—10 percent of all Oregonians registered.

281,009 Oregonians who could have registered through motor voter.

247,501 Newly registered voters through motor voter.

9,292 Number of DMV-generated voter registration cards that could not be delivered.

24,216 Oregonians who opted out, choosing not to become registered.

10 Percentage of Oregon registered voters who are motor voters.

5 Percentage of motor voters who registered as Democrats.

39 Percentage of Oregon voters who are registered as Democrats.

4 Percentage of motor voters who registered as Republicans.

28 Percentage of Oregon voters who are registered as Republicans.

88 Percentage of motor voters who did not choose any party affiliation.

26 Percentage of Oregon registered voters who aren't affiliated with a party.

84 Average percentage of voter turnout for the past four presidential elections.

54 Percentage of registered Oregon voters who cast a May primary ballot.

19 Percentage of motor voters who cast a May primary ballot.

Source: Oregon Secretary of State

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