Latest Advocacy News

OHCA members are kept up to date on the latest long term care regulatory and policy issues through regular member communications, including the OHCA News Bulletin and OHCA Legislative Alerts.

If you are an OHCA member and are not receiving these member communications, please contact Maggie Walter.

If you are not a member and you’d like to sign up for membership, email Rosie Ward.

Members may also view the latest Legislative Report, which highlights recent legislative accomplishments.

Voting Resources – Long Term Care

Exercising the right to vote is central to a healthy democracy. It is also a protected right for individuals receiving long term services and supports under federal regulations as well as Oregon’s Resident’s Bill of Rights. These rights apply whether an individual lives in a community-based care setting or a nursing facility. No matter where they live or what type of care they receive, facilities should be prepared to support and facilitate residents’ right to vote privately and independently.

By law, any Oregon voter can ask for help to register or vote. A voter can ask for help from a friend, family member, care provider, or caregiver. A congregate living facility may form a Facility Assistance Team to assist voters living in their facility. Teams must be made up of two registered voters that are not of the same political party.

OHCA encourages members to share voter registration information and resources with residents, clients, families, and staff who wish to participate in any local or federal election.

PROVIDER DO’S AND DON’TS:

For specific questions about how to vote or if a resident needs additional support, accommodations, or a replacement ballot, contact the appropriate County Elections Office.

Do:

  • Do provide residents with nonpartisan resources about how to vote, including voter registration deadlines, information, and more.
  • Do support residents in checking to see if their voter registration is up to date. Oregon voters can register for the first time or update their registration online or via hard copy.
  • Do make the official Oregon Voter’s Pamphlet available to residents upon request or in common spaces. You can access accessible electronic versions in 19 languages on the Secretary of State’s website.
  • Do engage with the Resident Council, if one exists at the community, about voting resources and FAQs to support their right to vote.
  • Do reach out and ask residents about voting and help any resident who expresses a desire to vote.
  • Do stay on top of voting deadlines, found here https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/pages/current-election.aspx.
  • Do help determine if residents are registered to vote, and their voter registration is up to date.
  • Support a resident’s transportation to your facility’s county elections ballot drop box if it is too late to mail their ballot.

Don’t:

  • Do not have facility staff make their own determinations about who is eligible to vote.
  • Do not summarize, edit, or make comments that are meant to coerce or persuade the resident when reading voting materials to them.
  • Do not try to influence the resident you are assisting to choose or not choose a particular political party.
  • Do not try to influence the resident you are assisting to vote their ballot in a particular way.
  • Do not display things in the facility that suggest a political preference or party allegiance.
  • Do not wear anything that would reasonably be understood to be associated with a past, present or future political party or political preference.

SERVICES FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES

Voting Assistance

Any Oregon voter can request and receive help registering to vote, marking their ballot, or returning their ballot.

You can also get help from a care provider, family member or someone else you choose following the instructions below.

If for any reason you need help, please call the Oregon Votes toll free information line at 866-673-8683 / TTY 800-735-2900 for the hearing impaired or your county elections office.

Instructions

Oregon voters with a disability can use a screen reader or other assistive technology to access their ballot at home using Oregon’s online ballot-marking tool. This option requires printing, signing and returning the ballot using the return envelope mailed by your county elections office approximately two weeks before an election.

You can request and receive help from any trusted person, friend, or family member with registering to vote or voting in your home or any other place you choose such as a care center, library, or local senior center, etc.

Under Oregon law you cannot receive help from your employer, an agent of the employer, or a union officer or agent of a union of which you are a member.

Contact your county elections office and ask for assistance.

Accommodations for Voters with Disabilities include:

  • Large Print Ballot
  • Alternate Format Ballot: If you can use your own computer to read and fill out forms, you can access the Alternate Format Ballot at oregonvotes.gov. You must still print it and return it on time, in a signed envelope.
  • Tablet and Alternate Format Ballot: Every county elections office has a tablet computer and printer.

You can use it to read, fill out, and print the Alternate Format Ballot. You can make the text bigger, use a screen reader, and use the touch screen or easy buttons to mark your choices. You can do this at the elections office. Or they can bring it to your home.

  • Voter Assistance Team: Your county elections office can assist you to register, vote, or return your ballot.
  • Someone you choose: You can ask anyone you want to help you vote. Your employer, your union, or an agent of your employer or union cannot help you. Anyone who helps you must mark the ballot the way you want. They should not try to influence you.
  • Signature Stamp Attestation: You can use a stamp or other mark as your signature if you aren’t able to sign your name. You must fill out a form first. Contact your county elections office.

Voting Resources – General

Who Can Vote

Oregonians can register to vote if they are:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • An Oregon resident
  • At least 18 years old

How to Register

To register online, individuals will need:

  • An Oregon driver license, permit, or ID card number, or
  • The last four digits of their Social Security number and a signature.

If individuals do not have those items, they can still use Oregon’s online registration system and will be prompted to print, sign, and mail voter registration forms to their county elections office.

Individuals may also complete a Voter Registration Form and return it directly to their county elections office.

View the resources below to ensure that you, members of your organization, and your residents are registered and prepared to vote before November 3.

Voting Resources

The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office has compiled various resources, infographics, and other guides in preparation for the upcoming election. View their voting toolkit here. 

Additional resources from the Secretary of State’s Office include:

Ways to Get Involved with OHCA Advocacy Efforts

OHCA encourages members to get involved in advocating for long term care. Members can advocate for quality care by:

  • Finding Your Legislator. Click here to find your state representative, state senator, and representation in Washington, D.C.
  • Writing a Letter. Legislators need to hear from their constituents. Well-thought-out emails and letters let lawmakers know what matters to people in their districts. Please contact OHCA for assistance writing a letter to your representative.
  • Making a Call. There’s a good chance you can have a conversation with your legislator or their staff about issues concerning you. Please contact OHCA for guidance.
  • Inviting your Legislator for a Facility Tour. Hosting a tour with a legislator is a great way to share the wonderful care being provided in your community. Please contact OHCA if you’d like to host a legislator in your community.
  • Contributing to OHCA PAC. Learn more about OHCA PAC and start contributing today.

Long term care professionals and members who want to get involved should start by calling or emailing info@ohca.com, or OHCA’s main line (503) 726-5260.