The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating three individuals who may have unlawfully voted as noncitizens, a statement from Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s office confirmed. The cases were referred for review by state election officials two weeks prior, stemming from registration errors made by the Driver and Motor Vehicles Division (DMV) staff. According to a KGW report, Rayfield indicated the rarity of these incidents but emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation to “ensure that all voting is conducted in accordance with the law."
Rayfield's statement highlighted the mandate of the DOJ to maintain election integrity, assuring, "We will take appropriate action based on the facts and evidence we find as the result of our investigation," noted in coverage by the Oregon DOJ's website.
Last September, state officials disclosed that an estimated 1,600 inappropriate registrations occurred at the Oregon DMV over three years. Missteps by DMV employees, including selecting "U.S. passport" for individuals who had presented a foreign passport, contributed to the errors. Oregon now boasts over 3 million registered voters, as reported by OPB. Noncitizen voting within the state carries potential penalties including up to a year in jail.
