2020 Voter Resource Guide
Did you know that 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people aren't registered to vote? And that Black and Latinx people are less likely to be registered than whites? As a health-focused organization, we believe that our community's well-being depends not only on our physical and mental health, but also our "civic health": the ability to influence the policies that affect our health and healthcare. That's why CAP is urging all eligible voters to make sure they're registered to vote and cast their ballots in the November 3 election!
Oregon Election Resources
The following information was sourced from the OR Secretary of State’s Website. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding voting or voting registration, please contact the OR Secretary of State’s office or your County Elections Officials.
Voter Eligibility
To register to vote in Oregon, you must be:
A U.S. citizen
A resident of Oregon
At least 16 years old
*If you are not yet 18 years of age, you will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.
How To Register To Vote
To register to vote online you will need an Oregon driver's license, permit or ID card number issued by the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV).
If you do not have an Oregon driver's license, permit or ID card, you can still use the online voter registration application. The information you enter will display on a voter registration card (PDF document) that you will need to print, sign and deliver to your county elections office to complete your registration.
Voters With Disabilities
As a voter with a disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation or assistance to vote. The Office of the Secretary of State is committed to ensuring accessibility at voting centers, and that you have the opportunity to vote privately and independently. You can find additional information and resources for accommodations on the Voters with Disabilities page.
Registration Deadlines
The deadline to register to vote in Oregon for the Nov. 2020 election is October 13, 2020
Washington Election Resources
The following information was sourced from the WA Secretary of State’s Website. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding voting or voting registration, please contact the WA Secretary of State’s office or your County Elections Department.
Voter Eligibility
To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be:
A citizen of the United States
A legal resident of Washington state for at least 30 days prior to election day
At least 18 years old by election day
Not disqualified from voting due to a court order
Not under Department of Corrections supervision for a Washington felony conviction
How To Register To Vote
There are 3 ways to register to vote in Washington State.
By Mail - You can print and mail in a registration form or request a registration form to be mailed to you.
Online - You can quickly and easily register online
In Person
Voters With Disabilities
As a voter with a disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation or assistance to vote. The Office of the Secretary of State is committed to ensuring accessibility at voting centers, and that you have the opportunity to vote privately and independently. You can find additional information and resources for accommodations on the Voters with Disabilities page.
Registration Deadlines
The deadline to register to vote in Washington is dependent on your method of registering.
By Mail: Must be received at least 8 days before Election Day
Online: Must be registered at least 8 days before Election Day
In Person: You can register up to and on Election Day *
* Individuals may register to vote in their county auditor's office, the division of elections if in a separate city from the county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor in his or her county of residence no later than 8:00pm on the day of the primary, special election, or general election. The registration process and requirements for registering on Election Day are the same as for filling out a paper registration form or the online form.
General Voter Resources
If you are not an Oregonian or Washingtonian, we want to make sure you still have access to the voter information you need. To find the most up-to-date information for your state regarding voter registration, election deadlines, polling locations, vote by mail or absentee ballots, or to sign up for elections reminders please visit vote.org.
CAP's 2020 Endorsements
We proudly support the following ballot measures:
OR Measure 108: Yes for a Healthy Future
LGBTQ+ people smoke cigarettes at a higher rate than straight folks, in part because the tobacco industry specifically targets our community with rainbow-washed advertising. Measure 108 would fight back by raising Oregon’s tobacco tax, which is the lowest on the West Coast, and putting a tax on vaping products, which are known “gateway drugs” for youth smoking. The money raised—an estimated $331 million every two years—would protect the Oregon Health Plan from cuts and fund culturally specific quit-smoking programs for queer people and other marginalized communities. Please join us in voting YES for a healthy future.
A growing body of research—including one study of long-term HIV/AIDS survivors—suggests that psilocybin may be an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and addiction. Because CAP serves many people experiencing mental-health issues, we understand that we as a society need as many mental-health treatment options as possible—and the politically motivated, failed War on Drugs shouldn’t block providers and patients from accessing promising therapies. That’s why we’re endorsing Measure 109, which would direct the Oregon Health Authority to develop rules for providers to safely administer psilocybin therapy. A YES vote on 109 is a vote for sensible drug policy and more mental healthcare options.
OR Measure 110: More Treatment
Drug addiction is a huge driver of the HIV epidemic: Almost 1 in 5 people diagnosed with HIV in Oregon are infected through injection-drug use. Right now, though, instead of connecting people with drug addiction to the treatment they need, our state sends them to jail, where they’re saddled with a criminal record that makes it harder to obtain employment and housing. Measure 110 would interrupt this ineffective and cruel cycle by replacing criminal penalties for low-level drug possession with referrals to treatment, and increasing funding for those treatment services. Help CAP stop new HIV infections by voting YES on Measure 110.
WA Referendum 90: Safe & Healthy Youth Washington
The evidence is clear: Abstinence-only sex ed just doesn’t work. Worse, not teaching young people what they need to know to keep themselves healthy can lead to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Unfortunately, depending on where they live, some Washington State youth currently aren’t receiving comprehensive, LGBTQ+ inclusive sexual-health education. Referendum 90 would ensure that no matter what school they go to, K-12 public-school students will get sex ed that is evidence-based and effective. APPROVE Referendum 90 to help all Washington youth stay safe.
About Cascade AIDS Project
Founded in 1985 as a grassroots response to the AIDS crisis, Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) is now the oldest and largest HIV-services and LGBTQ+ health provider in Oregon and southwest Washington, with more than 100 employees working across four locations. Our organization seeks to prevents new HIV infections; support low-income people living with HIV; and provide safe, welcoming, and knowledgeable healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. Through our vital health, housing, and other social services, we help ensure the well-being of more than 15,000 people each year. More information can be found at www.capnw.org
