Voters must remember to sign their ballot return envelopes before mailing or returning their completed ballot back to Lane County Elections.

The signature is a security measure used to verify identity. County personnel who have received training in handwriting analysis compare it to signatures in the voter registration record. A ballot may only be counted if the signatures match.

“If your signature does not match or the return envelope is unsigned, someone from Lane County Elections will notify you and you will have until 14 days after the election to address the issue or the ballot will not be processed,” said Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart. “One of the most common reasons a signature does not match is an injury or medical condition that has affected a person’s motor skills.” 

Due to COVID-19, the Lane County Elections Office will be open to the public only on Friday, October 30; Monday, November 2; and Tuesday, November 3, Election Day. Check our web page at www.lanecountyor.gov for additional updates concerning office hours. When open, visitors will be required to observe physical distancing guidelines; masks are required. The Elections Office has a small quantity of masks available for visitors that do not have their own.

On all other dates, the Lane County Elections Office is closed to walk-ins. Assistance is available over the phone at 541-682-4234 (weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and via email at elections@lanecountyor.gov. Voters with issues that cannot be resolved via phone or email will be able to make an appointment to visit the Elections Office.

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