September 16, 2024
The Honorable Tina Kotek
Office of the Governor
900 Court Street NE, Suite 254
Salem, Oregon 97301
Dear Governor Kotek,
I write to you to strongly urge you to take swift and meaningful steps to ensure the integrity of Oregon’s voter rolls ahead of the upcoming November election. As stewards of a government accountable to its citizens, it is critical that our election system not only operates fairly but that it also upholds the public’s confidence in its accuracy and security.
Recently, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 35, outlining a comprehensive approach to election security. The order prioritizes the maintenance of accurate voter rolls and ensures that only legal votes are counted. This initiative includes purging outdated registrations, removing deceased voters from the rolls, and addressing any duplications. These measures are vital to enhancing public trust in the electoral process and ensuring that elections are fair, transparent, and secure.
Most concerning, however, is the recent revelation that the Oregon DMV mistakenly registered more than 300 non-citizens to vote. This is a deeply troubling development, and I fear it could be just the tip of the iceberg. If such errors are occurring, it calls into question the accuracy of our voter rolls and the security of our elections. The integrity of the entire system could be at risk if we fail to act now to prevent further issues.
I believe Oregon can and should take similar steps to enhance the integrity of our voter rolls. While our state has long been a pioneer in promoting voter participation, it is equally important to guarantee that our voter registration lists are accurate and up to date. There have been longstanding concerns about inactive voters, potential double registrations, and the failure to remove deceased individuals from voter lists. Addressing these issues would enhance public confidence and safeguard the credibility of our elections.
I respectfully request that your office consider implementing measures like those outlined in Governor Youngkin’s executive order. By focusing on maintaining accurate voter rolls, you would be sending a strong message that Oregon is committed to secure and fair elections. Taking this action would not only protect the integrity of our electoral system but also reassure voters that their ballots are counted accurately and without compromise.
With an election less than 50 days away, I look forward to your response to this request and stand
ready to assist in any way necessary to ensure the security of Oregon’s elections.
Respectfully,
Daniel Bonham
Senate Republican Leader
cc: LaVonne Griffin-Valade, Oregon Secretary of State