You have 3 opportunities to appeal your property’s value.

#1 – Meet with the Assessor’s Office

The Coos County Assessor’s Office has a solid track record of working with citizens to adjust property real market values where appropriate.  The first step you should take is to talk directly with their office to see if you are able to reach an agreeable value.  You may reach them at:

Coos County Assessor

• 250 N. Baxter (upstairs in the Courthouse)
• Coquille, OR  97423
• Phone: (541) 396-7900

#2 – PVAB Board Hearing                                                                   

If you are not able to reach an agreement with the Assessor’s Office, then turn in your PVAB Petition to the Coos County Clerk’s Office by the filing deadline. The filing deadline is December 31st, unless it falls on a weekend or a holiday, then the filing deadline moves to the next business day, by 5:00 p.m.

You must submit your petition to:

Coos County Clerk

• Attn: PVAB 
• 250 N. Baxter
• Coquille, OR 97423
• Phone: (541) 396-7606

There is a $35.00 filing fee for each petition.

The Board convenes on or after the first Monday in February through April 15

#3 – Appealing to Magistrate

If you wish to appeal the decision of the Property Value Appeals Board, you may file an appeal with the Magistrate Division of the Oregon Tax Court.  You appeal by filing a written complaint with the Oregon Tax Court.  The complaint must be filed within 30 days after the order of PVAB is mailed or delivered to you.

The Property Value Appeals Board does not have the authority to grant an exemption.  A petition requesting an exemption or partial exemption will be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.  If the Assessor has disqualified the property from exempt status, the owner must appeal directly to the Magistrate Division.  Complaint forms and fees should be mailed to:

Clerk, Oregon Tax Court

• Magistrate Division
• 1163 State Street
• Salem OR 97301-2563

You must meet these requirements to purchase a marriage license:

• You are at least 18 years old.
• Your ceremony will take place in the State of Oregon.
• You are getting married within 60 days.
• You are not currently married.
• You are not first cousins or any nearer of kin.
• You are mentally competent to consent to a contract.

Required documents that you must bring with you at the time of the application:

• Valid photo ID
• $60.00 cash

• To register to vote in Oregon, you must be:
  • A Citizen of the United States of America
  • An Oregon resident
  • At least 16 years of age*
    • * You will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.

• Those who have been convicted of a felony have their voting rights restored once they are no longer incarcerated.
• To learn about voting while in the military or out of the country, please visit:
  • FVAP.gov Federal Voting Assistance Program; and
  • OregonVotes.gov/Military
• Those experience houselessness have a right to vote. To learn more, visit the Oregon Secretary of State's website.

• You can check to see if you’re registered to vote by going online to OregonVotes.gov/MyVote, or by calling the election office.
  • If you are under the age of 18, or have applied to have your residence be confidential, you will not be able to locate your registration on My Vote.

Yes. Please see the Oregon Secretary of State’s website on Accessible Voting for more information.

Oregon election days are:

• The second Tuesday in March
• The third Tuesday in May
• The fourth Tuesday in August
• Tuesday following the first Monday in November
• Special elections can be called by governing bodies
• Recall elections happen within 35 days of a qualifying petition

Please note, March and August elections are not guaranteed. November elections in odd-numbered years are not guaranteed. Please check the main elections page to see what upcoming elections are being held in Coos County. 

• Please see our Registration Totals, Precinct Map & Demographics page of the Coos County website.
• If you would like to make a public records request, forms can be found on the Public Records Request page of the Coos County website.
• If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
  • Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
  • Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
  • In Person:             250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

What’s that?

One of the best indicators of Real Market Value (RMV) for a property might be the sale of the property itself.  When determining if a sale is a good indicator of value, the Board will first determine if the sale was truly at “arm’s length”.  The Board may also ask the County for information about the sale.

A sale is considered at “arm’s length” if:

• Neither of the parties involved was under any undue duress.

This means the seller was not compelled to sell the property for financial reasons, and the buyer was not compelled to purchase the property within a time period that is considered unreasonable.

• Both parties were informed.

This means the sellers were familiar with the market value of properties similar to theirs, and the buyers had researched the market before making the offer to purchase.

• The property was marketed under “normal” marketing conditions.

Listing the property with a realtor is usually considered a normal marketing condition, but properties sold without the assistance of a realtor might also be considered normal if the property was exposed to the open market. The price of property received at an auction is generally not considered to represent real market value.

• The property was advertised/offered for sale on the open market for a period of time considered reasonable for the type of property.

The time to market property varies depending on the property type and location.

• The parties involved were not related or business partners.

A sale is not at “arm’s length” if:

• The transaction was a “short sale”.
• The property was a bank-owned property.
• Either party was in the middle of a bankruptcy.
• The property was sold as a foreclosure or to avoid a foreclosure.
• The property owner was under any kind of financial or undue duress.

No. A ballot has been cast, and cannot be withdrawn or changed, as soon as it is deposited in the mail, at a drop-site or at the counter of an election office.

No. You must be registered 21 days before the election in order to receive a ballot for that election.

• If registering on the Secretary of States website at OregonVotes.gov/Register:
  • A new registrant must submit their online registration by 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on the 21st calendar day before the date of an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
• If registering using a physical voter registration card:
  • A new registrant must have their voter registration card postmarked by or submitted to the election office not later than the 21st calendar day before the date of an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
• If entered into the automatic registration process with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):
  • This process can take up to 21 days from the date of the transaction to be effective. It is not instantaneous. If a voter is concerned about being registered to vote in time for an election, it is recommended that they visit the Election Office in the Coos County Courthouse in Coquille or register online at OregonVotes.gov/Register.

Yes. In Oregon, ballots are mailed to the majority of voters between 14 and 20 days before an election. After you have received your ballot, you are welcome to come to the election office to vote. Privacy booths are set up in the hallway, for each election, for this purpose.

Coos County Elections

250 N Baxter St

Coquille, OR 97423

Yes. You do not have to vote in alignment with your party. You can vote for any option on your ballot, and if the choice you want isn’t there, you can write them in.

No. The ballot counting process ensures the privacy of each vote. If you are interested in learning more about the process, please consider observing an election.

Yes. Whether or not someone cast a ballot during an election is public record.

Yes. The list of people who signed a completed petition is public record.

No. Each voter has the choice of mailing their ballot, returning it to any Oregon county election office in person or utilizing any official drop-site location in Oregon. 

• No. Please sign your return envelope however you normally sign your name. If the election office is unable to match the signature to one in your voter registration, you will be contacted by mail and will have up to 21 days after the election to resolve the issue.
• If you are concerned that your signature has changed over time, submit a new physical voter registration card so that we have a new signature on file. Voter registration cards can be found at your local post office, library, city hall and the courthouse in Coquille.

No. You do not have to vote on everything. If you leave a contest blank, it is considered an under-vote. The contests where you did make a selection will still be counted.

You must provide proof…

Remember, the Board is only able to rule on Real Market Value (the value a likely buyer might pay for your property on the open market).  To do this, as the petitioner, you must provide proof that the Assessor’s Real Market Value of your property is incorrect.  PVAB Board Members must compare your evidence to that provided by the Assessor’s Office.  The burden of proof is on the petitioner as the party seeking relief.

Poor evidence does not work well…

Good evidence for Real Market Value comes from actual sales data or professional appraisals:

• Property listings only show what one person thinks – not what the market will pay.
• Online property forecasts do not show actual value, only projections via computer models.
• Real estate guides and marketing materials rarely reveal actual sales prices.

Try to avoid using property listings, online sales projections or marketing materials as your sole forms of value evidence.  You need to prove to the Board what actual property similar to yours sold for at or near your assessment date.

Proper evidence that RMV Exceeds Actual Market Value

For petitions to reduce Real Market Value, the petitioner must both:

• Present a preponderance of evidence that the value on the tax roll is incorrect.
• Convince the Board that the requested value is correct.

Here are examples of evidence that may convince the Board to order a change to the value on the roll:

• Documentation of an arm’s length sale of the subject property near the assessment date.
• A recent fee appraisal reflecting the real market value near the assessment date.
• Proof that the property has been listed for sale on the open market for a reasonable period of time at a price below the real market value on the tax roll.
• A comparison of properties that are similar to the subject in location, size, and quality that have sold within a period of time that is indicative of the assessment date under appeal.  If there are differences between the properties, the petitioner should account for the differences in the comparison of values.
• The cost of new construction that took place close to January 1 of the assessment year, and was performed by a professional contractor.
• Written estimates of the cost to repair the property under appeal.
• Information on leases, rents, occupancy, and expenses, or a comparable sales analysis for commercial property.
• Proof of an error in the Assessor’s records regarding the inventory or physical condition of the property.
• Farm production data.  This may be provided as support for a requested real market value for an individual property or a specially assessed value.  If given as evidence of specially assessed value, the farm production data must apply to an entire class of property.

The burden of proof is on the petitioner.  The Assessor’s Office submits information to the Board supporting the value the Assessor believes is correct.  When a petition is filed with the Board, the Assessor normally reviews the property and often determines that a change in the value is warranted.  If this happens, the Assessor will recommend the Board change the value, or the Assessor may reach an agreement with the petitioner and file a stipulation with the Board.  If the Assessor makes a recommendation, the Board is under no obligation to accept.  The petitioner may not agree with the Assessor’s recommendation, so it is important that the Board members review all of the evidence before making their decision.

All evidence submitted to the Board, including pictures and appraisals, becomes a public record (in most cases).  If the petitioner chooses not to submit evidence because it will not be returned, the Board cannot consider the evidence when making its decision.

To best present your perspective, please:

• Submit five (5) copies of any evidence you would like admitted.
• Have a seven to ten (7 - 10) minute presentation ready for your case before the Board.  Remember that the Assessor’s Office also has seven to ten (7 - 10) minutes and then the Board makes a decision.

• Automatically tabulated as an Over Vote because more than the allowed number of ovals were found to have been filled in.
• Manually adjudicated as an Under Vote.

• Automatically tabulated as an Over Vote because more than the allowed number of ovals were found to have been filled in.
• Manually adjudicated as a Vote for the option not crossed out.

• Automatically tabulated as an Under Vote because no ovals were found to have been filled in.
• Manually adjudicated as a Vote for the option with the mark.

• Automatically tabulated as a Vote for write-in because the corresponding oval was found to have been filled in.
• Manually adjudicated as an Under Vote.

• Automatically tabulated as an Under Vote because no ovals were found to have been filled in.
• Manually adjudicated as a Vote for write-in.

• The Oregon Secretary of State’s website has a Voting & Elections page full of information and resources including a site to register, update your registration, search for candidate and measure filings, look at historical results, data and more.
• Please also consider looking at the Election Division's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Voter registration updates are processed by Coos County staff every day and from a variety of sources.

• Voters submit physical and online voter registration cards.
• When voters submit a change of address with the post office, that information is then shared with the election office.
• When voters update their address with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), that information is then shared with the election office.
• The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) is a nonprofit, multi-state, collaborative that uses information from the DMV, other county and other state sources for data matching and analysis. This is one of the ways the election office might know if a voter registered or died in another state.
• The election offices will regularly send out non-forwardable pieces of mail. Every election, ballots are sent to the address on file, and if they can’t be delivered, they are returned with a yellow label explaining why. Anytime a voters’ registration is updated, a Voter Notification Card (VNC) is sent out. This is another non-forwardable piece of mail that would be returned if it couldn’t be delivered to the address provided.
• When a piece of non-forwardable mail is returned to us as undeliverable, without a new Coos County address on the yellow postal label, this office may inactivate the voter. When a voter is inactivated, a Voter Confirmation Card (VCC) is sent out. This is a forwardable piece of mail stating that a voter’s registration is inactive and explaining how to become active again. This mailing includes a pre-paid postcard that can be returned to re-activate the voters’ record.
• When a voter dies, we find out from a variety of sources as well. The election office reviews local obituaries and takes individual notices from family members. We also receive weekly lists of people who have died from our local vital records as well as monthly lists from the State of Oregon.

Oregon voter rolls can only be modified at the county level. The Oregon Secretary of States’ Office cannot make changes, including to add or remove voters. Information coming from the Oregon Secretary of States’ Office, and other programs, are processed individually by local county staff.

Please check out the Observation page of the Coos County website. You will find information on how to observe along with necessary forms.

An absentee ballot may be applied for at any time, however please allow enough time for your ballot to be delivered to you by mail, voted, and returned in time to be counted.

See Absentee Ballot Request Form (civilian) form in the Related Documents section below.

If you are serving in the Armed Forces, the Merchant Marines, or live outside of the United States, you must fill out a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).  For more information, please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Programs’ website. 

See Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form in the Related Documents section below.

If you would like to cancel your voter registration in Coos County, fill out the Voter Registration Cancellation Request Form and submit it in one of the following ways.

• Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
• Fax:                       (541) 396-1013
• Mail/In Person:    250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

You may update your registration in the following ways:

• Online at OregonVotes.gov/MyVote
  • Unavailable for confidential voters and those under 18 years of age.
• With a physical Voter Registration Card found at your local post office, library, city hall and at the courthouse in Coquille
• By printing, completing and submitting this PDF version of the Oregon Voter Registration Card.
• If you or your spouse are in the military or currently out of the country, please use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

Email: elections@co.coos.or.us 

Phone: (541) 396-7610

Fax: (541) 396-1013

In Person/Mail: 250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

Coos County does not produce a voters’ pamphlet. The Oregon Secretary of State produces a voters’ pamphlet for primary and general elections.

• In Coos County, only county candidates are eligible to file for inclusion in the Oregon Secretary of State’s Voters' Pamphlet. Candidates file directly with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. For more information about the exact process, please see the State Voters’ Pamphlet Manual.
• For measure arguments, if a statewide measure, file directly with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. Please see the State Voters’ Pamphlet Manual for information on filing with the Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division. If a county measure, file with the County Clerk. For more information on filing with the County Clerk, contact us in one of the following ways.
  • Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
  • Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
  • In Person:             250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

• The initiative and referendum processes are methods of direct democracy that allow people to propose or amend local laws and charters or to adopt or reject an ordinance or other legislative enactment passed by a local governing body.
• If chief petitioners gather and file the required number of signatures, the initiative or referendum is placed on the ballot for voters to adopt or reject.
• Please note, some special districts do not allow for the initiative or referendum process. Check with your district to see if citizens of the district have the ability to enact legislation and exercise the power of initiative or referendum for that district.
• For more information about the exact process, along with filing forms, please see the County, City and District Initiative and Referendum Manual.

• Filing forms can be found on the Candidate filing forms page of the Coos County website, as well as on the Oregon Secretary of States website.
• For more information about the process, including timelines for filing, please see the County, City and District Candidate Manual.
• The County Clerk is the filing officer for county and special district offices, with the exception of the Coos Soil & Water Conservation District. The City Elections Officer is the filing officer for city offices. The Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division is the filing officer for state and federal offices.
• For information regarding a specific election, please refer to that election's page of the Coos County website or contact this office.
  • Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
  • Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
  • In Person:           250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

• A referral is a method a county, city or district governing body may use to place a local law on the ballot for voters of the jurisdiction to decide. For more information about the exact process, along with filing forms, please see the County, City, and District Referral Manual.
• If someone outside of a governing body wants to place a local law on the ballot, they can use the initiative or referendum process. For more information, see the FAQ “How do I file an initiative or referendum petition?”

In Person: We process requests immediately over the counter. Hours 9-12 and 1-4

Online - Pay online with a credit card @ https://records.co.coos.or.us/DigitalResearchRoomPublic/MarriageSearch  

By Mail - Certified Copy of Marriage License Order Form. 

• Oregon was the first state, in the United States of America, to conduct all of its elections using vote-by-mail, beginning in 1999. In 1998 voters passed a ballot measure expanding the existing vote-by-mail structure to include primary and general elections.
• With Oregon’s vote-by-mail system, your ballot is mailed to you. All eligible registered voters are mailed a ballot between 20 and 14 days before an election. Voters then have until election day to vote and return their ballot. There are no polling places. Voters may return their ballot by mail, at the office of an Oregon county clerk, or at any official drop-site in Oregon.

#DidYouKnow Oregon's county clerks perform post-election reviews after every election that includes a federal or statewide contest.

• To check if you’re registered to vote, see the FAQ “Am I registered to vote?”, see Voter Registration
  • Please note, you must be registered to vote at least 21 days before an election in order to receive a ballot for that election.
• To learn more about what might be on your ballot, see the FAQ “What’s going to be on my ballot?”, see About my Ballot.
• To learn more about how to fill out your ballot, see the FAQ “How do I fill out my ballot?”, see About my Ballot.
• To learn more about returning your ballot, see the FAQ “How do I return my ballot?”

You can check on the status of your ballot by going to OregonVotes.gov/MyVote. This website will say when ballots are mailed, and when they have been received by the election office. Please give 1 – 2 business days for changes to be reflected on My Vote.

• My Vote is unavailable for confidential voters

• The Oregon Constitution allows any non-federal public office holder, whether appointed or elected, to be recalled from office before the term has expired. A prospective recall petition may be filed only after the public office holder has actually served at least six months of their current term of office, except for an elected State Senator or State Representative. If a petition is submitted containing the required number of signatures, and the office holder does not resign, an election will be held for voters to decide whether the person should be recalled from office.
• For more information about the exact process, along with fling forms, please see the Recall Manual.
• Local public offices, where the County Clerk is the filing officer, include county and special district positions. Recalls for city offices are filed with the City Elections Official. Recalls for state offices are filed with the Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division.
• Recall elections are held at the expense of the district holding the election.

• You may register to vote using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).
• Ballots are mailed to military and out of country voters 45 days before an election, and these voters have additional options for voting and returning their ballot.
• To learn about voting while in the military or out of the country, please visit:
  • FVAP.gov Federal Voting Assistance Program; and
  • OregonVotes.gov/Military

You may register in the following ways:

• Online at OregonVotes.gov/Register
• With a physical Voter Registration Card found at your local post office, library, city hall and at the courthouse in Coquille
• By printing, completing and submitting this PDF version of the Oregon Voter Registration Card.
• If you or your spouse are in the military or currently out of the country, please use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

Oregon Secretary of State’s Office

Report an Election Law Violation Website

Federal Bureau of Investigation

You may update your registration in the following ways:

• Online at OregonVotes.gov/MyVote
  • Unavailable for confidential voters and those under 18 years of age.
• With a physical Voter Registration Card found at your local post office, library, city hall and at the courthouse in Coquille
• By printing, completing and submitting this PDF version of the Oregon Voter Registration Card.
• If you or your spouse are in the military or currently out of the country, please use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

Thank you for your interest in helping out in elections! Below are the regular jobs that we need help with. Please contact us using one of the options below to let us know what job you’re interested in. 

This office keeps a list of people who have volunteered, and we call to schedule workers approximately 3 months before an election.

• Board Workers work in teams of two to prepare ballots for tabulation. One person separates the ballot from the return envelope while the second person opens and flattens the ballot. Involves counting to 25, repetitive motions and sitting for prolonged periods of time. On-call position for approximately three weeks surrounding the election. May work upwards of midnight on election days.
• Extra Help work individually to receive, process and signature verify incoming ballots. Involves bending, carrying weight of up to 25 pounds, using a computer, repetitive motions and sitting for prolonged periods of time. On-call position for approximately three weeks surrounding the election. May work upwards of midnight on election days.
• Couriers work in teams of two to collect ballots from official drop-sites across Coos County. Involves bending, stooping, carrying weight upwards of 50 pounds and operating a motor vehicle. Scheduled position for approximately two weeks leading up to the election. Will work until approximately 9PM on election nights.
• Election Day Couriers work in teams of two to collect ballots and close official drop-site locations across Coos County at 8:00PM on Election Day. Involves bending, stooping, carrying weight upwards of 50 pounds and operating a motor vehicle. Scheduled position for election day only. Will work from approximately 6:30PM - 9PM on election days.

In Person/Mail: Coos County Elections, 250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

Email: elections@co.coos.or.us 

Phone: (541) 396-7610

Fax: (541) 396-1013

• The machines that tabulate votes are tested before and after every election to ensure they are working correctly. One instance of this testing is known as Public Certification and is open to the public before every election.
• Two full-time staff members, of different political parties, review the tabulated votes in a process called “adjudication.” To learn more about that process, see the explanation and examples on the Observation page of the Coos County website.
• After every statewide and federal election, county clerk’s perform post-election reviews. In Coos County, we hand count a portion of the ballots with bi-partisan teams to ensure they match the records produced by the tabulation machines.

Interested in seeing one of these processes? Want to see a different part of the election process? Consider signing up to observe! Check out the Observation page of the Coos County website to learn more.

• Oregon was the first state, in the United States of America, to conduct all of its elections using vote-by-mail, beginning in 1999. In 1998 voters passed a ballot measure expanding the existing vote-by-mail structure to include primary and general elections.
• With Oregon’s vote-by-mail system, your ballot is mailed to you. All eligible registered voters are mailed a ballot between 20 and 14 days before an election. Voters then have until election day to vote and return their ballot. There are no polling places. Voters may return their ballot by mail, at the office of an Oregon county clerk, or at any official drop-site in Oregon.

#DidYouKnow Oregon's county clerks perform post-election reviews after every election that includes a federal or statewide contest.

• To check if you’re registered to vote, see the FAQ “Am I registered to vote?”, see Voter Registration.
  • Please note, you must be registered to vote at least 21 days before an election in order to receive a ballot for that election.
• To learn more about what might be on your ballot, see the FAQ “What’s going to be on my ballot?”, see About my Ballot.
• To learn more about how to fill out your ballot, see the FAQ “How do I fill out my ballot?”, see About my Ballot.
• To learn more about returning your ballot, see the FAQ “How do I return my ballot?”, see About my Ballot.

Please check out the Registration Totals, Precinct Map & Demographics page of the Coos County website.

• Oregon has closed primaries. This means that only registered voters of a major political party can vote for candidates of the same party. At the primary election, voters who are not registered in one of the major political parties would receive a ballot containing nonpartisan contests, such as judicial elections, which all registered voters may vote on.
• At the general election, voters will receive a ballot containing both partisan and nonpartisan offices and can vote for any candidate even if they are not of the same party.
• It is fairly common for people, even in the same household, to receive different ballots during a primary election, because they are registered with different political parties.
• If you still have questions, please give us, in the election office, a call at (541) 396-7610.

The Oregon Secretary of State is responsible for providing apostille seals. They will not accept County-issued copies of marriage records. Instead, you must provide a copy from the State of Oregon Vital office. You can find additional information on their website:

http://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/apostille.aspx

If you have special circumstances and need to request a waiver of the 3-day waiting period, please email the County Clerk @ coosclerk@co.coos.or.us  

There is an additional $25.00 fee for a waiver.  

Effective 4/1/2020 Per Coos County Board of Commissioners Order #20-03-012-L

• It is extremely common for a voter to receive more than one ballot packet. If you look at the return envelope, one likely says “original” while another says “reissued” or “replacement.” Additionally, there should be a notice inside of all “reissued” and “replacement” ballot packets, explaining why an additional ballot packet was sent.
• Ballots are originally prepared more than a month ahead of an election. For every voter that makes an address change after that, a new “reissued” ballot is prepared. When this happens, the first “original” ballot is de-activated. If the original ballot is voted, an alarm goes up in our system, alerting staff that the ballot is not active.
• If a voter returns the wrong ballot packet, the election office will hold it until after the last day to receive ballots. As long the voter didn’t return more than the one ballot, it can still be accepted.
• If a voter returns multiple ballots, only one ballot can be accepted. All other returned ballots are rejected, the voter is sent a letter explaining that voting multiple time is an election law violation, and the instance is referred to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division.
• In no circumstances is more than one ballot accepted for a single voter.
• Please remember, it is against Oregon law to vote more than once during an election.
• If you are ever confused about getting more than one ballot, or don’t know which ballot packet you’re supposed to vote, contact your county election office.
  • Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
  • Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
  • In Person:             250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

I want to change my name. What are my options?

Each party must pick the name they will take after the marriage ceremony. However, the State of Oregon limits your name change options through the marriage process. If your desired name is not listed when applying you will need to do a legal name change through State Courts. 541-396-8372 ext. 25005

Changing your name after marriage

I’ve taken my spouse’s name after our marriage. What do I do now? Where do I go?

After the marriage ceremony you will need to take a certified copy of your marriage license to the DMV and Social Security to legally change your name.

Examples of agencies to change your name with and documents to update are: 

• Driver’s License
• Social Security
• Military
• Bank
• Passport
• Credit Cards
• Insurance
• Employer
• Mortgage Company
• Immigration
• Landlord
• Vehicle Registration 

Most of these examples require a certified copy, we will mail you one certified copy after your marriage license has been returned to for processing. 

Certified copies may be purchased by using this link https://records.co.coos.or.us/DigitalResearchRoomPublic/MarriageSearch  

PVAB Season: Begins the day tax statements are mailed and ends the next April 15th

1st date to file: The day tax statements are mailed

Last date to file: December 31st, unless it falls on a weekend or a holiday, then the due date moves to the next business day.

Hearing notices: You will receive a notice of your hearing date and time at least five (5) days before the hearing

Hearings: Begin on or after the first Monday of February

Session adjourns: April 15th

Important: Your evidence must reflect the value of the property as it existed on January 1 of the assessment year 

Appeals can be filed after receipt of tax bills but no later than December 31st, unless it falls on a weekend or a holiday, then the due date moves to the next business day.

Only the property owner and certain authorized people may sign a petition to the Board. Please review the instructions included with the petition form. You must file your appeal with the Coos County Clerk.

You need to have convincing evidence to support your opinion of your property's value.

One mistake many taxpayers make when they file a petition is to present the Board with a study of the difference between their property tax and their neighbor's property tax. If you want the Board to reduce the market value of your property, you should provide evidence of your property's Value, not the tax you pay.

Another mistake petitioners make when appealing to the Board is to compare the value of their property on the tax roll with their neighbor's value on the tax roll. This study may be interesting but does not provide proof of the Market Value of your property.

Generally, to be successful in your appeal, you must provide evidence of the Market Value of your property on January 1st, the date the assessor used to establish the real market value of your property.  Below are examples of the types of evidence you might use to convince the Board the value of your property should be reduced to the value you are requesting:

• Documentation of a recent arm's length sale of the property.
• A fee appraisal of your property dated close to January 1 of the assessment year.
• Proof that the property has been listed for sale on the open market for a reasonable period of time at a price below the real market value on the tax roll.
• A comparison of properties similar to yours in location, size and quality that sold near the valuation date of January 1 of the assessment year and are adjusted for differences.
• Cost of new construction that occurred close to January 1 and was performed by a professional contractor.
• Cost to repair your property. You should provide written estimates of the cost of the repairs.
• For business property, provide documentation of income and expense information, cost of the asset and/or a comparison of similar properties that sold near the valuation date of January 1.

The Board will consider your appeal between February and April 15th.

You may appear before the Board and you may bring expert testimony or even have someone represent you, but you do not have to appear before the Board. If you indicate you want to be present, you will get at least five days’ written notice of the hearing date and time. Evidence submitted to the Board Clerk or provided at the hearing will not be returned. Evidence considered by the Board must be retained by the Board Clerk.

The Board will consider the evidence from you and the Assessor’s Office.  The Board will notify you in writing of its decision.

You have the right to appeal the Board's decision to the Magistrate Division of the Oregon Tax Court.

Complaints must be filed within 30 days (not one month), of the date that the Board's order is mailed or delivered to you.

Phone: 541-396-7600

Email: recording@co.coos.or.us

Property Value Appeals Board Forms (Filing Deadline December 31st. If December 31st falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date moves to the following business day)

The forms listed below are replicas of the Oregon Department of Revenue's official forms.  They may be printed and filled out and must be filed with the appropriate County Clerk's office.  Note: most petition forms are updated annually.  Do not use antiquated forms.

Instructions & Information:

• PVAB Filing Information – Brief description of the process by the Oregon Department of Revenue.
• Real Property Petition (and instructions) - Use this form to appeal the value of your real property land and buildings, manufactured structures, or industrial machinery and equipment.
• Business Personal Property Petition (and instructions) - Use this form to appeal the value of your business personal property or your floating property.
• Petition for Waiver of Late Filing Penalty (Business Personal Property Return) - Use this form to appeal the penalty assessed for the late filing of a real or personal property return.

Conflicts of Interest:

It is the policy of the Coos County Property Value Appeals Board that its members declare any potential or actual conflicts of interest, pursuant to ORS Chapter 244 before the consideration of any issue before the Board.

Hearing Schedules:

Hearings are meetings during which the PVAB Board hears and reviews evidence regarding Real Property, Personal Property or waiver of late filing petitions filed with the Property Value Appeals Board.

It is the policy of the Coos County Property Value Appeals Board that hearings scheduled for a specific date and time will be heard only at the date and time scheduled.

Rescheduling is not allowed.  The petitioner may submit any additional evidence up to the date and time of the hearing.  The petitioner may also have an Authorized Representative present evidence.  It is the responsibility of the petitioner to notify the Board of any Authorized Representatives coming before the Board. 

Evidence Reminder:

• All evidence submitted to the Board, including pictures and appraisals, becomes a public record.  If the petitioner chooses not to submit evidence because it will not be returned, the Board cannot consider the evidence when making its decision.
• Submit five (5) copies of any evidence you would like admitted.

(If you need the County Clerk to make copies, they cost $0.25 per page)

Hearing Procedures:

Hearings before the Board will last up to twenty to thirty (20 to 30) minutes in duration (depending on the schedule outlined by the Board).  The PVAB Chair may extend the presentation period if the Chair feels the Board will benefit from the extension, and if the schedule allows.

• 7 to 10 minutes - for the property owner (and any witnesses)
• 7 to 10 minutes - for the Assessor’s Office
• 6 to 10 minutes - for the Board to deliberate and rule on the petition

Decorum and Security:

All participants are expected to observe respectful behavior and decorum during all Coos County Property Value Appeals Board hearings.  Anyone acting in a disruptive, disorderly or threatening manner, or using profanity, will be asked to voluntarily leave the meeting, and the hearing may be concluded, rescheduled, or postponed at the Board’s discretion.

If an individual continues to behave in a disorderly or disruptive manner, and refuses to voluntarily leave the meeting, the Chair may request a law enforcement officer to escort the individual from the hearing. 

Please be courteous, respectful, and remain focused on the topic of property valuation. 

During the hearing:

• Each petitioner will have up to seven or ten (7 or 10) minutes to present information to show that the Assessor’s value is incorrect and show why the value the petitioner is requesting is correct.
• The Assessor’s Representative will have up to seven or ten (7 or 10) minutes to respond.
• The Board will have six to ten (6 to 10) minutes to question the petitioner and the Assessor’s Representative and reach a decision on the case.
• All materials or exhibits presented by the petitioner must be left with the Board.
• All decisions are final.  It is the Board’s policy that after the Board has voted, the hearing is concluded.  No further discussion of the petition will be permitted.

Clerical Errors:

It is the policy of the Coos County Board of Property of Tax Appeals to authorize the Board Clerk to make corrections to orders for the purpose of correcting clerical errors.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page or contact the office directly.

• Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
• Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
• In person:             Coos County Elections, 250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

If you notice a mistake on your license before the ceremony, contact our office at 541-396-7600 so we can assist you in correcting the mistake.

If the license has already been received by our office, there may be a $25.00 (cash only) amendment fee charged to correct the information. Please contact us so we can assist you.

To avoid these errors, review and verify your information before submitting the marriage license application. 

Tip #1 – You must provide proof

The Board considers the petitioner’s evidence and information provided by the Assessor’s Office.  The Board must always keep in mind that the burden of proof is on the petitioner as the party seeking relief.

(please see the “evidence” flyer)

Tip #2 – Property value vs. taxes

Please remember that the process helps property owners appeal the Real Market Value assigned to their property.  It is not a tool for challenging taxes.

Tip #3 – Learn the important acronyms (RMV, MAV and AV)

RMV – Real Market Value

• The amount a typical seller would accept or what a typical buyer would offer to pay.
• If the property has no immediate market value, its real market value is the amount of money that would justly compensate the owner for loss of the property.

MAV – Maximum Assessed Value

• MAV is a term created by Measure 50 in 1997.  MAV is the greater of 103% of the prior year’s Assessed Value or 100% of the prior year’s MAV—plus the MAV of any exception value.

AV – Assessed Value

• Assessed value is the lesser of the property’s Real Market Value or Maximum Assessed Value.

Tip #4 – PVAB Board members

The PVAB Board is a volunteer citizens’ group.  Please note they are not employees of the County but simply community members like you who are reimbursed only $25 per 1/2 day or $50 for full day of training or hearings – not paid hourly.

Tip #5 – Arm’s length sales

One of the best indicators of Real Market Value can be the sale of the property itself – but it needs to be an “arm’s length” sale.  The sale was at “arm’s length” if:

• Neither of the parties involved was under any undue duress.
• Both parties were informed.
• The property was marketed under “normal” marketing conditions.
• The property was advertised for sale on the open market for a reasonable period.
• The parties involved were not related or business partners.

(please see the “Arm’s length” flyer)

Tip #6 – Assessment date

The PVAB Board considers the value of your property on the Assessment date: January 1 of the assessment year.  All evidence should be based on or near that date and what was available on that date – not after.

You need two witnesses who are 18 years or older to make a ceremony valid in Oregon. Neither the minister or partners involved can act as a witness. Your officiant will print the names of the witness on the license. The witnesses will only sign the commemorative Marriage Certificate.

When ballots are scanned into Clear Ballot, the software looks at each oval, for each contest and, depending on the percentage the oval is filled in, a contest is automatically tabulated into one of three categories:

• Vote
  • Meaning the vote was attributed to a specific candidate or option
• Under Vote
  • Meaning the contest was not voted
• Over Vote
  • Meaning more options were voted than is allowed for the contest

The process of adjudication is used to verify that Clear Ballot accurately tabulated votes to reflect voter intent. Manual adjudication is used when the automatic tabulation is found to not reflect voter intent. Two full-time staff, following the Vote by Mail Manual, will manually change the vote to reflect voter intent.

The Election Office is tasked with administering and conducting all federal, state, county, city and special district elections in Coos County. This office oversees election filings, forms and voter registration. The Election Office is a division of the Office of the County Clerk in Coos County. Julie A Brecke is the County Clerk, and is the head election official for the county.

A list of current and upcoming elections is on our main elections page. If currently in an election cycle, there will be a link for that specific election’s webpage to learn more.

 $35 for each petition filed (make checks payable to Coos County Clerk)

The officiant will complete the required information and sign the marriage license. Once complete, the officiant is responsible for returning the license to Coos County within five days of the ceremony.  The marriage license packet will include an envelope for returning the license to us, which can be delivered to our office or returned by mail.

Instructions for Officiants

You must have received documentation of your ordination. We will not ask for the proof of your ordination. Also, you do not need to register your ordination with Coos County before the ceremony.

Two persons age 18 or older need to witness the solemnization of the marriage.

Following the marriage ceremony, complete the Ceremony section on the marriage license. You must fill in the following information:

1. Date of marriage
2. Location of marriage
3. County of marriage
4. Your signature
5. Your title (minister, priest, etc.)
6. Your name, personal address and phone number (PO BOX is acceptable.)
7. The name of the organization that gave you the authority to perform marriages.
8. The printed names of the witnesses.

You are responsible for returning the license within five days of the ceremony either by mail or in person.

A marriage license that is not completed will cause a delay in processing. The parties involved will not be able to get certified copies until the errors are corrected. We include  Instructions for Officiants with the marriage license packet.

See Notice of Officiant in the Related Documents section.

• You are not required to vote. Your voter registration will not be inactivated if you choose not to vote, regardless of the length of time.
• To check on your registration go to the Oregon Secretary of State’s My Vote website. You may also contact your county election office.
  • My Vote is unavailable for confidential voters and those under 18 years of age.

The election office will mail you a notice and explain how you can correct the issue. Voters have up to 21 days after an election to resolve ballot challenges such as forgetting to sign the return envelope.

• In Coos County, ballots are mailed 20 days before an election. If your ballot does not arrive by the 13th day before an election, please contact your county election office.
  • Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
  • Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
  • In Person:             250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423
• To check if you’re registered to vote, see the FAQ “Am I registered to vote?”, see Voter Registration.
  • Please note, you must be registered to vote at least 21 days before an election in order to receive a ballot for that election.

#DidYouKnow Oregonians have safely and securely voted by mail since 1998? Voters passed a ballot measure that year expanding Vote-By-Mail to primary and general elections.

• If you filled in an oval you didn’t intend, or you changed your mind, it can be corrected. The important thing is to make your choice obvious, so election officials can ensure it is counted correctly.
• This office recommends you draw a line through the entire choice you do not want, and then fill in the oval next to the choice that you do want.
• If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.
  • Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
  • Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
  • In Person:             250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

• If your ballot was lost or damaged, you can be issued a replacement ballot by contacting your county election office.
  • Email:                      elections@co.coos.or.us
  • Phone:                   (541) 396-7610
  • In Person:             250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

• If you made a mistake when filling out your ballot, you can correct it. Please see the FAQ “What if I made a mistake on my ballot?”, see About My Ballot page.

If a ballot was delivered to a deceased individual, do not open it. Write “Deceased” on the outside of the envelope and put it back in the mail. The ballot will be returned to the election office where the voters’ record will be updated accordingly.

#DidYouKnow If a person tries to cast a ballot for a deceased voter, they could face felony charges. It is a felony offense to vote for someone else.

• If a ballot was delivered to the wrong address, or if the person does not live there, do not open it. Write “Not at this address” on the outside of the envelope and put it back in the mail. The ballot will be returned to the election office where the voters’ record will be updated accordingly.

#DidYouKnow Elections officials regularly update voter registration lists. State, local and national information sharing allows Oregon to maintain accurate data for elections. The Oregon Elections Division regularly updates voter registration lists to remove people who are no longer eligible to vote or who are deceased.

If you are going to be away from your home during an election, you can apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to where you will be. You can find the absentee ballot request form on the Forms page of the Coos County website. Ballots are never forwarded by the post office. If a ballot cannot be delivered, it is returned to the local election office.

• The election office will mail you a notice and explain how you can correct the issue. Voters have up to 21 days after an election to resolve ballot challenges such as the signature on a return envelope not matching those in their voter registration.
• If you are concerned that your signature has changed over time, submit a new physical voter registration card so that we have a new signature on file. Voter registration cards can be found at your local post office, library, city hall and the courthouse in Coquille.

What if our officiant got ordained online?

As long as the online ordination meets the requirements from the State of Oregon, it is just as official as a traditional religious ordination. 

Ordination Requirements

To be considered a valid ordination, the State of Oregon requires:

• An organization must be active (i.e. conducting business or holding services).

If the organization has closed or does not have a physical address, then you must get another ordination. We cannot process a license that fails to meet either of these requirements.

Misinformation - Information that is false, but not created or shared with the intention of causing harm.

Malinformation - Information that is based on fact, but used out of context to mislead, harm, or manipulate a person, organization, or country.

Disinformation - False information that is deliberately created to mislead, harm, or manipulate a person, social group, organization, or country.

- Definitions from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

PVAB is the Property Value Appeals Board

Who (The Board) - The PVAB (Property Value Appeals Board ) is a board of community members.  All members of the PVAB Board are appointed by the Coos County Board of Commissioners and may consist of residents of the county who are not employees or members of a governing body of the county or of any taxing district within the county.

Who (You) - Those who own (or have an interest in) property within Coos County may appeal their Real Market Value (RMV) as assessed on their property tax statement to the PVAB Board.

What - The Board considers the petitioner’s evidence of a lower RMV, and information provided by the Assessor’s Office.  The burden of proof of a lower RMV is on the petitioner - the party seeking relief.

Where - If you are interested in filing a petition, serving on the Board, or attending a hearing, all PVAB activity in Coos County occurs at the Coos County Clerk’s Office:    

• Coos County Clerk
• 250 N. Baxter
• Coquille, OR 97423

Why - Voters approved Ballot Measure 50 in May 1997.  Measure 50 decreased many tax bills and made future taxes more predictable. It also preserved some provisions of Measure 47 (passed in November 1996).

Another component of Measure 50 was the creation of the Property Value Appeals Board – a citizen committee in each county given the power to adjudicate Real Market Values if a property owner does not agree with their assessed value.

When   

Assessment date (when value is measured): January 1st

Tax statements mailed out: October

File PVAB appeal petition: December 31st unless it falls on a weekend or a holiday, then the due date moves to the next business day

Board hearings: On or after the first Monday in February through April 15

This packet is designed to help petitioners have a successful PVAB appeal.  It recaps the three different chances people have to appeal their property value, a page full of tips for a successful process, information from the Department of Revenue, a description of what good evidence is for you to present to the PVAB Board, a description of what an “arm’s length” transaction is, how to appeal the decision of your local PVAB Board and a recap of the Board’s hearing and security policy.

• To see what local measures and candidates have filed, check out the current election’s specific page. To see statewide candidates and measures, check out the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division website.
• Coos County does not produce a voters’ pamphlet. The Oregon Secretary of State produces a voters’ pamphlet for primary and general elections, that is sent one per household, regardless of voter registration, approximately 20 days before the election.
  • A digital version of the state voters’ pamphlet is available on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website approximately 20 days before the election.
  • It is the candidates’ choice, whether or not they want, to appear in the state voters’ pamphlet for a fee.

Please note, only those contests that you are eligible to vote on will appear on your ballot. For example, if you are not registered within city limits, you will not see city contests such as mayor on your ballot. During primary elections, if you are not registered with a major political party, you will not see that’s party’s candidate nominations on your ballot. If you have questions, please contact your county election office.

• Email:                    elections@co.coos.or.us
• Phone:                  (541) 396-7610
• In Person:             250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423

• To find out how you are currently registered you can go online to OregonVotes.gov/MyVote, or call the election office.
• If you are under the age of 18, or have applied to have your residence be confidential, you will not be able to locate your registration on My Vote.
• If you would like to update your registration, please see the FAQ “How do I update my political party?”, see Voter Registration.
  • Please note, the deadline to change your political party before a primary election is 21 days before the election.

• The Election Office is now sporting hot pink vests! When an Election Courier is picking up ballots from an official drop-site location, they will be wearing hot pink vests that say “Elections” across the back. Hot pink was chosen to coordinate with the pink return envelopes already used by Coos County.
• Secrecy envelopes are no longer included in ballot packets in Coos County. This additional envelope has always been optional for voters, but now it’s no longer needed. The outer return envelope (where voters sign) now has a security weave printed directly on the inside. Voter privacy and the secrecy of your vote has always been, and continues to be, protected throughout the ballot counting process. This decision has been formally approved by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office and saves on money and staff time. If you are interested in seeing how the ballot counting process protects voter privacy, consider signing up to observe an election.

• Uniformed & Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986 (UOCAVA): 45 days prior to election
• Voter receiving mail out-of-state: 29 days prior to election
• Voters receiving mail in-state (mass): 20 days prior to election

*unofficial document, subject to change with resignations/appointments

Assessor, Commissioners and Surveyor (ORS 249.088)

• All candidates, regardless of number filed, are printed on the Primary Election ballot
  • If a candidate receives a majority of votes cast for the office, that candidate is elected at the Primary Election
  • If no candidate receives a majority of votes cast for the office, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes are nominated and their names will be printed on the General Election ballot.

Clerk, Sheriff and Treasurer (ORS 249.091)

• Candidates may or may not be printed on the Primary Election ballot
  • If 1 or 2 candidates file for office, they are considered nominated. Their name(s) will not appear on the Primary election ballot and will instead only be printed on the General Election ballot
  • If 3 or more candidates file for office, their names are printed on the Primary election ballot
    • If one candidate receives a majority of votes cast for the office, that candidate is solely nominated and their name only will appear on the General Election ballot.
    • If no candidate receives a majority of votes cast for the office, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes are nominated and their names will be printed on the General Election ballot

• Ensure your return envelope is signed, the same way you normally sign your name, and make a plan to return your ballot.
• If using an official drop-site location, or coming into an Oregon county election office, your ballot must be deposited no later than 8:00pm on election day.
• If mailing, your ballot must have been received and postmarked by the United States Postal Service (USPS) no later than election day and be received in the election office no later than seven days after the election.
  • Please note, only ballots mailed through USPS can be accepted after election day

If there are 6 days or less before an election, please consider utilizing one of our official drop-site locations.

Lunch Hour: 

• Noon – 1:00pm every weekday

Holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr’s Day
• President’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran’s Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas

Other: Any other closures are displayed on the main elections page before the event.

• Monday – Friday: 9:00am – Noon & 1:00pm – 4:00pm
• Election Days: 7:00am – 8:00pm

• The first results will be posted at approximately 8:00pm on election day. A schedule for the release of all election results can be found on each election’s webpage at least 30 days before the election. For statewide results, please go to the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.
• Elections are certified, at the county level, no later than 27 days after an election.

Write-in results are not released until the election is certified, no later than 27 days after the election.

Please note, write-ins are only tallied in the following situations:

• An elector filed to have their write-in votes counted
• A contest, that doesn’t require an elector to request their write-in votes be counted, had no candidates file
• The write-in line had the most votes for that contest

Please refer to the Drop-Site Locations page of the Coos County website for the addresses of our drop-sites as well as links to directions and photos of the boxes.

Please check out the Archives page of the Coos County website for recent elections. Older election records can be viewed on microfilm in the Coos County Clerk & Recording Office, see County Clerk page.

The size and placement of political signs is not covered under Oregon election law. The jurisdiction where the sign is placed will determine who to contact regarding regulations.

• Coos County Elections
• 250 N Baxter St
• Coquille, OR 97423

We’re located on the first floor. When you enter the courthouse, take a left at the stairs and we’re at the very end of the hallway past the County Clerk & Recorder’s Office.

• Coos County does not produce a voters’ pamphlet. The Oregon Secretary of State produces a voters’ pamphlet for primary and general elections.
• When the Oregon Secretary of State produces a voters’ pamphlet, they are sent out one per household, regardless of voter registration approximately 20 days before the election.
  • A digital version of the state voters’ pamphlet is available on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website approximately 20 days before the election.
  • It is the candidates’ choice, whether or not they want, to appear in the state voters’ pamphlet for a fee.
• Information regarding candidates and measures appearing on the ballot are posted on the election-specific page of the Coos County website, with state and federal candidate information appearing on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website. For more information, voters are encouraged to reach out to candidates and districts submitting measures directly.

• Coos County does not produce a voters’ pamphlet. The Oregon Secretary of State produces a voters’ pamphlet for primary and general elections.
• Information regarding candidates and measures appearing on the ballot are posted on the election-specific page of the Coos County website. For more information, voters are encouraged to reach out to candidates and districts submitting measures directly.

Wedding Officials

Judges

Every election, the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division completes a random ordering of the letters of the alphabet. This random alphabet is then used to order candidates within a contest. This is done pursuant to ORS 254.155. The random alphabet is generated no later than the 69th day before each election, and provided to the County Clerks no later than the 68th day before each election.

• In January of 2016, Oregon’s voter registration law, Oregon Motor Voter, took effect.
• During a qualifying interaction with the DMV, you can be entered into the automatic voter registration process. At the beginning of this process, a letter is sent, explaining automatic voter registration and giving you an opportunity to either choose a political party, or opt out of being automatically registered. If you choose not to respond, you are automatically registered to vote as nonaffiliated.
• Please visit the Oregon Secretary of States’ website for more information.

• If you are interested in special districts, such as your local school or hospital district, these positions are on the ballot in May of odd numbered years.
• If you are interested in city offices, such as city councilor or mayor, these positions are on the ballot in November of even numbered years.
• If you are interested in county, state or federal offices, these positions appear on the ballot in May and/or November of even numbered years.
• Please note, not all positions will be on the ballot every relevant election. Positions such as district board member, County Commissioner, Governor and President have four-year terms, and therefore, only appear every four years.
  • If you are curious about a specific county position, please see the FAQ “When is a county office next on the ballot?”, see When & Which Election.
  • For special districts, please reach out to the Coos County Election Office.
  • For cities, please reach out to the relevant city.
  • For state and federal positions, please reach out to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division.

• Oregon has closed primaries. This means that only registered voters of a major political party can vote for candidates of the same party. At the primary election, voters who are not registered in one of the major political parties would receive a ballot containing nonpartisan contests, such as judicial elections, which all registered voters may vote on.
• At the general election, voters will receive a ballot containing both partisan and nonpartisan offices and can vote for any candidate even if they are not of the same party.
• It is fairly common for people, even in the same household, to receive different ballots during a primary election because they are registered with different political parties.
• If you still have questions, please give us, in the election office, a call at (541) 396-7610.