SALEM, Ore. — Oregon’s new “motor voter” program is fueling a surge in newly registered voters in the state under a new law that automatically registers anyone who gets or renews a driver’s license.
The Oregon Secretary of State’s office said Tuesday nearly 300,000 people have registered in the past 12 months and more than 75 percent of them those did so under the new law that took effect in January.
The increase represents a 14 percent uptick in registered voters in the state since this time last year.
Like more than 25 percent of all registered voters in Oregon, most newcomers did not choose a political party.
Oregon was the first state to put such a law into effect and others are now following suit.
