The Oregon DMV admitted on Friday to wrongfully registering at least 306 noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections.
The DMV says the wrongful registrations have occurred since 2021 and were the result of a program that automatically registered anyone who obtained a driver’s license or state ID. State officials say they expect to find more wrongful registrations ahead of Election Day.
Oregon has allowed noncitizens to obtain diver’s licenses since 2019. Of the 306 people identified, just two have cast ballots in an election since 2021.
Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade says the 306 people “will be notified by mail that they will not receive a ballot unless they demonstrate that they are eligible to vote.”
Griffin-Valade defended the state’s automatic voter registration program despite the lapse. Gov. Tina Kotek also argued the discovery will “not impact” the 2024 election.
“While this error is regrettable, the secretary and the Elections Division stand by automatic voter registration and its many benefits,” Griffin-Valade said.
“The error in data entry which may have affected the voter eligibility of some Oregonian’s voter registration was discovered because the Oregon DMV and the secretary of state were doing their due diligence ahead of the 2024 election,” Kotek said in another statement. “My office will continue to closely monitor the situation. This situation will not impact the 2024 election in any way.”