/ Student Engagement/Pioneer Voter and Civic Engagement Information

Pioneer Voter and Civic Engagement Information

The information below is provided by Student Engagement as a resource for Lewis & Clark student voters in:
• registering to vote in their home state (if you are not already registered to vote in Oregon)
• updating voter registration
• understanding voter registration deadlines in their home state, and
• how to get involved in voter advocacy
• providing a list of voter advocacy and education resources

As a part of a long standing tradition of exploring, learning, and working together, Lewis & Clark College values and protects the freedom of students, faculty, and staff to express political views, to exercise their right to vote, and to participate in the electoral process. At the same time, to retain its status as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Lewis & Clark must not participate or intervene in any political campaign, on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for political office, issue, or initiative.

Are you voting in Multnomah County? The county elections office has official 24-hour ballot drop sites throughout the metropolitan area. Click here to find a ballot drop site that works for you.

Don’t forget, as a Lewis & Clark student you have the option of voting in Oregon or your home state.

The Information for registering and voting in Multnomah County is included below.

If you are already registered in Multnomah county, check your registration here: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/showVoterSearch.do?lang=eng&source=SOS
If you would like to be registered in Multnomah county you can use your MSC number to register. You must register 21 days before election day, this year that date is October 19th. You can register online here: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/register.do?lang=eng&source=SOS
If you are at least 16 years old, a resident of Oregon, and a citizen of the United States. An Oregon driver’s license or state ID card issued by the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required to register online.
If you do not have an Oregon Drivers License, but would like to be a registered voter in Multnomah County, you must print and fill out a paper voter registration form, sign the form, and return it by mail or deliver it in person to the Board of Elections (21 days before election day). Voter registration card in English is here: https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL500.pdf
You can also get a paper registration form at your local U.S. Post Office or public library.

If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact Student Engagement. Voter information for all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and US Territories can be found below.

Voting

Vote-by-mail is the only way to vote in Multnomah County. If you are registered to vote in Multnomah County, your ballot will be sent to the address you listed on your registration. Once you fill out your ballot, place it in the return envelope provided to you, and make sure you sign the back! Then take your ballot to a post office or the mailroom. The return envelope provided to you already has the correct address and paid postage. Mail-in ballots must be sent on or before election day November 8th, OR you can deliver your ballot to a drop box.
Voters can use any drop box site in Multnomah county. Drop sites are open from October 20th to November 8th at 8 PM.
If you would prefer to vote in your home state, links to information from each state and territory are included below. Make sure you register before the deadline AND request an absentee ballot.

Voter registration, absentee voter, and election information for all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and US Territories.

Resource websites for voter advocacy and education, voter registration, candidate debates, special elections, primary elections, and the general election.

2022 Election Central – This website is not sponsored by any candidate, PAC or any other election-related entity. That said, objectivity is always in the eye of the beholder but please don’t take any story or lack of story as an endorsement or censoring of a specific candidate or campaign.
American Council on Education (ACE) Memorandum on Political campaign-related activities of and at colleges and universities – We summarize here the “dos” and “don’ts” of potential entanglements of colleges and universities and their personnel, in campaigns for public office. The summary is not exhaustive and omits legal citations. It is based on judicial and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rulings under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; IRS guidance; and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, as well as Federal Election Commission regulations that apply to colleges and universities. This memorandum was prepared by the Washington, DC law firm Hogan Lovells US LLP (March 2016)
Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon – The Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon – APANO was founded in 1996 with significant support from the Immigrant Refugee Community Organization in Multnomah County under the principle that we are stronger together, and that our communities would benefit from more coordinated leadership particularly in areas of public policy advocacy
Ballotpedia - Find your current representatives with Ballotpedia’s Who Represents Me tool. This page lists officials who are currently sworn into office. If an election recently occurred and the winners of the election have not been sworn into office yet, they will not be listed. In addition to all federal and state-level offices, Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population.
Basic Rights Oregon – Basic Rights Oregon will ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories. Basic Rights Oregon is a member of the Equality Federation.
Best Colleges.com Student Voting Guide — BestColleges.com has created a comprehensive voter’s guide replete with everything you need to know about voting in the 2016 election. Their state-by-state directory explores voter eligibility criteria, residency requirements, registration deadlines, and other voting guidelines in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Their key issues guide takes a bipartisan look at the major talking points of this election, and reviews each candidate’s stance. Their voting rights manual outlines the registration process for college students in all circumstances. Finally, their voting resources list includes links to campus organizations, registration portals, and other sites geared toward college voters.
Campus Election Engagement Project – The Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) is a national nonpartisan project that helps America’s colleges and universities motivate their 20 million students to register, volunteer in campaigns, educate themselves, and turn out at the polls.
Commission on Presidential Debates – The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) corporation that was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners.
Democracy Works – Democracy Works in a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the idea that voting should fit the way we live.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon – Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is a statewide association of Christian denominations, congregations, ecumenical organizations and interfaith partners working together to improve the lives of Oregonians through community ministry programs, ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, environmental ministry, and public policy advocacy.
Election Center – Nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and improving democracy. Its members are government employees whose profession is to serve in voter registration and elections administration.
Elections Assistance Commission – The United States Elections Assistance Commission (EAC), an independent bipartisan agency, is authorized by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to serve as “…a national clearinghouse and resource for the comparison of information” on various matters involving the administration of Federal Elections.
Fair Elections Legal Network – The Fair Elections Legal Network (FELN) is a national, nonpartisan voting rights, legal support and election reform organization whose mission is to remove barriers to registration and voting for traditionally underrepresented constituencies.
Federal Election Commission – Administers and enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA).
Federal Voting Assistance Program – Voting help for uniformed service members, their families and citizens living outside the U.S.
Jewish Federation of Greater Portland – The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is the support system for your Jewish journey. Since 1920, the Jewish Federation has helped nourish your Jewish life, enrich our community, and keep Jewish culture strong in Portland and around the world.
Institute for Democracy & Higher Education – The Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE), part of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, serves as a leading venue for research, resources, and advocacy on college student political learning and engagement in democratic practice. Through research, resource development, and convening,we strive to inform and shift college and university priorities, practices, and culture to strengthen democracy and advance social and political equity. One of IDHE’s signature programs is the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) offers colleges and universities an opportunity to learn their student registration and voting rates and, for interested campuses, a closer examination of their campus climate for political learning and engagement and correlations between specific student learning experiences and voting. Click here to review Lewis & Clark’s NSLVE reports for 2012, 2014, and 2016.
League of Minority Voters - The League of Minority Voters was founded in 2007 by a multi-racial group of Oregonians who believe that what affects one community affects all of us, and that the challenges that impact minority voters must be met with consistent advocacy from all people of conscience. The League of Minority Voters seeks to empower the grassroots, both within the League and minority communities through education and training. We promote respect for all individuals and the value of diversity in all communities at all levels. We are committed to empowering communities in the process of collective decision-making and deliberation for the common good.
League of Women Voters – The League of Women Voters (LWV), a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact policies through citizen education and advocacy. The Portland League of Women Voters is a multi-issue organization whose mission is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy.
Long Distance Voter – Launched in 2008, Long Distance Voter, the absentee ballot experts, makes voting easier, wherever you are. 3 million voters and counting.
Multnomah County Elections Division – You probably have a lot of questions and the Multnomah County Elections Division is one of the best places to find the answers you’re looking for. Are you registered to vote in Multnomah County? Do you want to get registered to vote in Multnomah County? What’s going to be on the ballot? What are my voting options? Who’s in office now?
Muslim Educational Trust – The Muslim Educational Trust (MET) was established in response to the community’s needs in the Portland area. These needs for education about Islam were generated by the Muslim community as well as the Non-Muslim community.
My Time To Vote – My Time To Vote (MYTIME2VOTE) is a comprehensive one stop empowerment organization with the goal to both instill in American citizens the importance of their participation in the democratic process of our great nation and to give them the tools and information to do it.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
National Voter Registration Day – In 2008, 6 million Americans didn’t vote because they missed a registration deadline or didn’t know how to register. In 2018, we want to make sure no one is left out. Join volunteers, celebrities, and organizations from all over the country “hit the streets” for National Voter Registration Day. This single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts will create pervasive awareness of voter registration opportunities–allowing us to reach tens of thousands of voters who we could no reach otherwise.
Next Up Oregon - For over eighteen years, Next Up (our 501(c)3) has amplified the voice and leadership of young people to achieve a more just and equitable state. Next Up Action Fund (our 501(c)4 branch) engages the next generation of Oregon’s leaders to build political power and fight for a more just and equitable Oregon. We do this by achieving systems change, developing bold leaders, and mobilizing young voters. We are based out of Portland, Oregon.
Nonprofit VOTE – Nonprofit VOTE partners with America’s nonprofits to help people they serve participate and vote. We are the largest source of nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services.
Oregon Money Watch - Here you’ll find daily updated information on fundraising and spending for House, Senate and statewide elections. The data is uploaded from the Oregon Secretary of State website and can be sorted by candidate, race, donor, and more.
Oregon Online Voters’ Pamphlet - This includes information for the Voters’ Pamphlet in Oregon provided by the Oregon Secretary of State.
Oregon Secretary of State - Elections Division – The Secretary of State is Oregon’s Chief Election Officer. The Elections Division uniformly interprets and applies the election laws that allow our democracy to function.
Partners in Diversity – Partners in Diversity (PiD) operates as an affiliate of the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and seeks to address employers’ critical needs for achieving and empowering a workforce that reflects the rapidly changing demographics of the Pacific Northwest.
Portland Office of the City Auditor – City Elections assists the public with election issues, such as running for City office or preparing an initiative petition. This office makes available campaign rules and forms, as well as past election results.
Project Vote Smart – Vote Smart (PVS) is a citizens’ organization dedicated to serving all Americans with accurate, unbiased information for electoral decision making.
Rock the Vote – Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build political power for young people in our country. Rock the Vote is the largest nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in the United States driving the youth vote to the polls. Fusing pop culture, politics, and technology, Rock the Vote works to mobilize the millennial voting bloc and the youth vote, protect voting rights, and advocate for an electoral process and voting system that works for the 21st century electorate.
TurboVote – TurboVote is an application that makes voting easy. When you sign up (won’t you sign up?), TurboVote keeps track of your elections, local and national. And if you need to get registered, update your voter registration, or request an absentee ballot, they’ll get you all the forms and information you need, when you need them.https://turbovote.org/
Voto Latino – Voto Latino is a nonpartisan organization that empowers Latino Millennials to claim a better future for themselves and their community. United by the belief that Latino issues are American issues and American issues are Latino issues, Voto Latino is dedicated to bringing new and diverse voices to develop leaders by engaging youth, media, technology and celebrities to promote positive change.
Your Vote, Your Voice — Voter education and registration activities historically have been important undertakings of the nation’s colleges and universities. To support and enhance these civic engagement activities among students, the Washington Higher Education Secretariat launched the National Campus Voter Registration Project and Your Vote, Your Voice in 1996. These efforts gained heightened importance in 1998 when Congress mandated that all colleges and universities make a good-faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to all degree- or certificate-seeking students attending class on campus. Your Vote, Your Voice is the cooperative effort of nearly 50 Washington, D.C.-based national higher education organizations.

Do you know of any voter advocacy and education resources that you’d like to see listed on this site? Send the site’s name and address to studentengagement@lclark.edu and we’ll add it to the list!