The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) acknowledged on Friday that it mistakenly registered at least 306 non-citizens to vote in U.S. elections.

The error resulted from the Democrat-led state’s automatic voter registration program, which has been in place since 2021, and though officials confirmed that the problem is being addressed, further investigations are underway to identify additional mistakes ahead of Election Day, as Fox News reports.

The error reportedly occurred due to a system that automatically registers individuals who obtain a driver’s license or state identification card.

Since 2019, Oregon has permitted non-citizens to acquire driver's licenses, and the automatic voter registration program inadvertently included some of these individuals in the voter rolls. So far, of the 306 non-citizens registered, only two have actually cast a ballot in elections held since 2021.

State Officials Take Action Ahead of Elections

Upon discovering the error, the Oregon DMV began notifying the affected individuals. Each of the 306 individuals will receive a letter informing them that they will not be sent a ballot unless they provide proof that they are eligible to vote. This precautionary step is part of an effort to prevent any potential issues during the 2024 election cycle.

Both Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade and Gov. Tina Kotek have reassured voters that the discovery will not affect the upcoming 2024 elections.

Griffin-Valade explained that the state remains committed to automatic voter registration despite the mishap, citing its many benefits. “While this error is regrettable, the secretary and the Elections Division stand by automatic voter registration and its many benefits,” Griffin-Valade said.

Investigations Uncover More Potential Mistakes

The error, according to state officials, began occurring in 2021 when the automatic voter registration program mistakenly registered non-citizens who had obtained driver's licenses.

Since Oregon allows non-citizens to acquire driver's licenses, the program’s failure to differentiate between citizens and non-citizens caused this issue. State officials are now conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether there are additional errors in the voter registration process.

Kotek acknowledged the gravity of the situation but reassured the public that steps are being taken to rectify it. "The error in data entry which may have affected the voter eligibility of some Oregonian’s voter registration was discovered because the Oregon DMV and the secretary of state were doing their due diligence ahead of the 2024 election,” Kotek said.

Ohio Official Cites Similar Concerns

Meanwhile, the discovery in Oregon has prompted concerns from other states with similar voter registration programs. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose weighed in on the issue, highlighting his state’s decision to avoid automatic voter registration. LaRose said, "This is why we have resisted so-called automatic voter registration in Ohio. We have multiple really convenient ways to register in Ohio, but there are people who should not be registered, like non-citizens, and there are people who simply don't want to be registered."

LaRose also pointed out the verification challenges faced by states that use automatic voter registration systems. According to him, such programs may not have the necessary safeguards in place to prevent errors, particularly when it comes to identifying non-citizens. "I don't usually assume people's intentions, but it would seem they don't want us to use that information to identify non-citizens,” LaRose said.

State Aims to Prevent Future Errors

Oregon officials are committed to correcting the mistake and ensuring that the upcoming election proceeds without disruption. Although the discovery has raised concerns about the efficacy of automatic voter registration, state leaders maintain that the program's benefits outweigh the issues.

Griffin-Valade stressed that notifying the individuals affected by the error and ensuring they do not receive ballots unless eligible will help prevent any unlawful voting. As investigations continue, the state remains focused on resolving any remaining discrepancies before Election Day.

Kotek reiterated the state’s diligence in handling the situation, stating, "My office will continue to closely monitor the situation. This situation will not impact the 2024 election in any way." Despite the setback, the state’s election officials are confident that the issue will be fully addressed in time for the next election cycle.

Conclusion

The Oregon DMV's acknowledgment of mistakenly registering non-citizens to vote has raised concerns ahead of the 2024 election. With automatic voter registration identified as the root cause, state officials have initiated investigations to uncover any additional errors.

While only two non-citizens have cast ballots since 2021, officials are notifying the 306 individuals involved and taking measures to prevent further issues. Both Secretary of State Griffin-Valade and Gov. Kotek have assured voters that the mistake will not affect the 2024 election.

Other states, such as Ohio, have cited similar concerns about automatic voter registration systems, but Oregon remains committed to the program. The state will continue its efforts to ensure that only eligible voters participate in the upcoming elections.