PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon will pay for prepaid postage on mail-in ballots for next year’s general election under a law signed by Gov. Kate Brown Friday.
Senate Bill 861 is a bid to increase voter turnout in a state that already leads the nation in voter participation. Participation in the 2018 midterms topped 60%, according to the United States Elections Project, far higher than the 49% average nationwide.
“While Oregon is at the forefront of voter access, to maintain a strong democracy, we must take further actions to ensure voter accessibility,” Brown said.
States with vote-by-mail systems send registered voters their ballot at least two weeks before an election. Voters can return ballots by mail, at a ballot drop-box, or at their county clerk’s office.
