Oregon sets rules for presidential electors and their ballots

Political parties must select candidates for presidential elector and submit their names and signed pledges to the Secretary of State. Each party selects as many elector candidates as Oregon has members of Congress. Candidates must be registered Oregon voters and generally affiliated with the selecting party. A candidate for elector must sign a pledge to vote for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates connected to the nominating party, when applicable. A candidate for an unaffiliated presidential ticket must be registered as unaffiliated. The party must certify the candidates and provide their signed pledges to the Secretary of State. The party must submit the certification and pledges no later than 70 days before the election of electors.

The Secretary of State must oversee the electors' meeting, review their ballots, reject invalid ballots, and help fill resulting vacancies. Oregon's presidential electors meet at the State Capitol. A vacancy may result from death, refusal, failure to attend, or an invalid ballot. Electors must vote for the connected presidential and vice-presidential candidates, subject to the stated replacement rule if a candidate dies or withdraws before the meeting. An unmarked ballot or a ballot that breaks the elector's pledge is invalid and cannot be counted. Remaining electors fill vacancies by a voice vote, and a replacement must sign the required pledge and take an oath. The Governor and Secretary of State must issue or amend certificates of ascertainment as required by the section. Electors meet on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December following their election. The certificate of ascertainment is due no later than six days before that meeting.

The state must pay mileage expenses to eligible presidential electors. The payment covers an elector who attends at the appointed time and place, votes for President and Vice President, and has no ballot declared invalid. The mileage rate is the rate allowed for members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. An elector whose ballot is declared invalid does not meet this payment condition. The provision applies when an elector attends the scheduled meeting and casts ballots that are not declared invalid.