ORS 260.695
Prohibitions relating to voting


(1)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

If a person prints or circulates an imitation of the ballot or sample ballot:

(A)

The imitation ballot or sample ballot and the back of any return envelope enclosed with the ballot or sample ballot shall state the following: “THIS IS NOT A REAL BALLOT. DO NOT USE TO VOTE.” The statement on the imitation ballot or sample ballot shall be in bold print that is at least two times as large as the majority of the text on the ballot or sample ballot or 20-point type, whichever is larger. The statement on the back of a return envelope shall be in bold print that is at least 36-point type.

(B)

The word “UNOFFICIAL” must be superimposed on the imitation ballot or sample ballot so that the word extends diagonally across the ballot from one margin of the text to the other. The superimposed word may be printed in lighter ink than other text on the ballot or sample ballot.

(b)

For purposes of this subsection, an imitation of the ballot or sample ballot includes an imitation of a portion of the ballot or sample ballot.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

As used in this subsection, “imitation voters’ pamphlet” means a document that imitates the physical characteristics or appearance of a voters’ pamphlet or a portion of a voters’ pamphlet published by the Secretary of State or county clerk, as defined in ORS 251.005 (Definitions), under ORS chapter 251 and likely misleads or confuses a reasonable person as to whether the document is an official voters’ pamphlet or a portion of an official voters’ pamphlet in the absence of the required statement.

(b)

If a person prints or circulates an imitation voters’ pamphlet, including by electronic means:

(A)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.
(i)
The imitation voters’ pamphlet shall state the following: “THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL VOTERS’ PAMPHLET.” Except as provided in sub-subparagraph (ii) of this subparagraph, the statement on the imitation voters’ pamphlet shall be in bold print that is at least 36-point type.
(ii)
For an imitation voters’ pamphlet that is circulated electronically, the statement described in sub-subparagraph (i) of this subparagraph shall be in bold print in a typeface of contrasting color and in a font size that is at least three times as large as the font size used for the majority of the text in the imitation voters’ pamphlet.

(B)

The word “UNOFFICIAL” must be superimposed on each page of the imitation voters’ pamphlet so that the word extends diagonally across the imitation voters’ pamphlet from one margin of text to the other. The superimposed word may be printed or displayed in lighter ink than other text on the imitation voters’ pamphlet.

(3)

A person may not do any electioneering, including circulating any cards or handbills, or soliciting of signatures to any petition, within any building in which any state or local government elections office designated for the deposit of ballots under ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) is located, or within 100 feet measured radially from any entrance to the building. A person may not do any electioneering by public address system located more than 100 feet from an entrance to the building if the person is capable of being understood within 100 feet of the building. The electioneering need not relate to the election being conducted. This subsection applies during the business hours of the building or, if the building is a county elections office, during the hours the office is open to the public, during the period beginning on the date that ballots are mailed to electors as provided in ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) and ending on election day at 8 p.m. or when all persons waiting in line at the building who began the act of voting as described in ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) (12) by 8 p.m. have finished voting.

(4)

A person may not obstruct an entrance of a building in which ballots are issued or a place designated for the deposit of ballots under ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) or any voting booth maintained under ORS 254.474 (Voting booths for primary and general elections) is located. This subsection applies during the period beginning on the date that ballots are mailed to electors as provided in ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) and ending on election day at 8 p.m. or when all persons waiting in line at the building or location who began the act of voting as described in ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) (12) by 8 p.m. have finished voting.

(5)

A person may not vote or offer to vote in any election knowing the person is not entitled to vote.

(6)

A person may not make a false statement about the person’s inability to mark a ballot.

(7)

A person, except an elections official in performance of duties or another person providing assistance to an elector as described in ORS 254.445 (Assistance in marking ballot), may not ask a person at any place designated for the deposit of ballots under ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) or at any location described in ORS 254.472 (Compartments for marking ballots) or 254.474 (Voting booths for primary and general elections) for whom that person intends to vote, or examine or attempt to examine the person’s ballot.

(8)

An elections official, other than in the performance of duties, may not disclose to any person any information by which it can be ascertained for whom any elector has voted.

(9)

A person, except an elections official in performance of duties, may not do anything to a ballot to permit identification of the person who voted.

(10)

An elector may not willfully leave at any place designated for the deposit of ballots under ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) or at any location described in ORS 254.472 (Compartments for marking ballots) or 254.474 (Voting booths for primary and general elections) anything that will show how the elector’s ballot was marked.

(11)

A person, except an elections official in performance of duties, may not remove a ballot from any place designated for the deposit of ballots under ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) or any location described in ORS 254.472 (Compartments for marking ballots) or 254.474 (Voting booths for primary and general elections).

(12)

A person, except an elections official in performance of duties or a person authorized by that official, may not willfully deface, remove, alter or destroy a posted election notice.

(13)

A person, except an elections official in performance of duties, may not willfully remove, alter or destroy election equipment or supplies, or break the seal or open any sealed package containing election supplies.

(14)

A person, except an elections official in performance of duties, may not provide elections advice or attempt to collect voted ballots within any building in which any state or local government elections office designated for the deposit of ballots under ORS 254.470 (Procedures for conducting election by mail) is located, or within 100 feet measured radially from any entrance to the building.

(15)

A person, except an elections official in performance of duties, may not establish a location to collect ballots voted by electors unless:

(a)

The person prominently displays at the location a sign stating: “NOT AN OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP SITE”; and

(b)

The sign is printed in all capital letters in bold 50-point type. [1979 c.190 §390; 1993 c.713 §37; 1999 c.318 §44; 2001 c.805 §5; 2001 c.965 §16; 2007 c.154 §55; 2007 c.881 §10; 2010 c.35 §1; 2014 c.67 §6; 2014 c.112 §6; 2021 c.291 §5; 2021 c.551 §12]

Source: Section 260.695 — Prohibitions relating to voting, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors260.­html.

Notes of Decisions

In general

Prohibition against wearing of political buttons, badges or insignia within polling place is unconstitutional infringement of elector’s right to free speech. Picray v. Secretary of State, 140 Or App 592, 916 P2d 324 (1996), aff’d 325 Or 279, 936 P2d 974 (1997)

Attorney General Opinions

Under former similar statute (ORS 260.650)

Application of prohibition against electioneering to circulation of initiative petitions, (1972) Vol 35, p 1233; poll book or public record relating to election as subject to public inspection, (1977) Vol 38, p 1318

260.005
Definitions
260.007
Exclusions from definitions of “contribution” and “expenditure.”
260.011
Prohibition on using cryptocurrency to make contribution
260.035
Treasurer and statement of organization for political committees and candidates
260.037
Liability of candidate or treasurer for default or violation of treasurer obligations
260.038
Treasurer of more than one candidate or committee
260.039
Content of statement of organization of candidate or principal campaign committee
260.041
Principal campaign committee
260.042
Content of statement of organization of political committee
260.043
Exemptions for candidate who expects neither contributions nor expenditures to exceed $750 or $3,500
260.044
Statement of independent expenditures
260.046
Discontinuance of statement of organization
260.049
Reports to be filed by certain corporations
260.052
Political committee identification number
260.054
Political committee campaign account
260.055
Accounts of contributions and expenditures
260.056
Written loan agreements
260.057
Electronic campaign finance filing system
260.064
In-kind contribution from candidate, political committee or petition committee
260.076
Statements of contributions received during session of Legislative Assembly
260.078
Reporting contributions and expenditures not previously reported
260.083
Contents of statements
260.085
Listing of occupation of contributor
260.095
Reporting expenditures that are both in-kind contributions and expenditures
260.112
Filing of certificate by candidate or treasurer of political committee or petition committee who expects neither contributions nor expenditures to exceed $3,500
260.118
Treasurer and statement of organization of petition committee
260.156
Rules for reporting expenditures and contributions
260.163
County or city campaign finance provisions
260.200
Secretary of State rules for accounts, forms, material to be retained and material not subject to disclosure
260.205
Inspection of statements
260.215
Periodic examination and investigation of statements
260.218
Subpoena authority
260.225
Court proceedings to compel filing of correct statements
260.232
Civil penalty for failure to file statement or to include required information
260.234
Notice of civil penalty
260.241
Removal from general election ballot for failure to file statement
260.245
Withholding certificate of election or certificate of nomination for failure to file statement
260.255
Preservation of filed statements by filing officers
260.262
Accounts of chief petitioners
260.266
Statement of persons who paid for communication in support of or in opposition to clearly identified candidate
260.275
Definitions for ORS 260.275 to 260.285
260.281
Donor identification lists
260.285
Civil penalty for failure to file donor identification list or to include required information
260.315
Distribution of copies of law
260.345
Complaints or other information regarding violations
260.351
Court proceedings for election law violations, generally
260.355
Deprivation of nomination or office for deliberate and material election violation
260.365
Election or appointment after deprivation of nomination or office for violation
260.368
Investigations of violations of prohibition on payment based on number of signatures obtained on petition
260.402
Contributions in false name
260.407
Use of contributed amounts for certain purposes
260.409
Expenditures for professional services rendered by candidate
260.413
Prohibition on committee providing consideration in connection with nondisclosure agreement relating to workplace harassment
260.422
Acceptance of employment where compensation to be contributed
260.432
Solicitation of public employees
260.532
False publication relating to candidate or measure
260.537
False publication intended to mislead electors
260.550
Use of term “incumbent.”
260.555
Prohibitions relating to circulation, filing or certification of initiative, referendum or recall petition
260.556
Secretary of State prohibited from counting petition signatures obtained by certain persons
260.558
Payment for signing or not signing initiative, referendum or recall petition
260.561
Liability of certain chief petitioners for violations committed by persons obtaining signatures on petition
260.563
Liability of contractor obtaining signatures on petition for violations committed by subcontractor
260.567
Alteration of information on petition signature sheet
260.569
Payment based on signatures obtained on nominating petition or voter registration card
260.575
Use of threats and intimidation for purpose of extorting money
260.635
Bets and wagers on election results
260.645
Illegal acts relating to voting machines or vote tally systems
260.665
Undue influence to affect registration, voting, candidacy, signing petitions
260.675
Prohibited distribution of ballots
260.685
Elections official compliance with directives of Secretary of State
260.695
Prohibitions relating to voting
260.705
Premature release of vote tally
260.715
Prohibited conduct
260.993
Criminal penalties
260.995
Civil penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date