SALEM, OR -- Voters’ pamphlets for Oregon’s May primary are starting to arrive in mailboxes. State Elections Division Director Molly Woon says her office is getting a lot of calls from people wondering why former President Donald Trump - the only Republican Presidential candidate - does not appear in the pamphlet. 

"Candidate Trump did not submit a voters’ pamphlet statement for the May primary. And, just to make very clear, our office does not have any say in which statements appear in the pamphlet." Woon says, "It doesn’t affect whose name is on the ballot, so his name will clearly be on the ballot, but he is not in the pamphlet." She told reporters this week the Secretary of State's Office only prints what candidates submit, exactly how the statement is submitted. "We did reach out to the Trump campaign about how to submit the statement; we sent them multiple reminders. But, ultimately, we can’t force anyone to participate in the voters’ pamphlet process. But we do hope they'll consider submitting one in the general election in November."

For Democrats, campaigns are underway in several states to encourage voters to choose "uncommitted" instead of President Joe Biden, to protest Biden's Middle East policies. But, "There is no ‘uncommitted’ box on an Oregon ballot," says Woon. Write-in is always an option, but there are very few reasons those are counted. Woon says write-in candidates are considered if no one filed for that race, "The other reason that write-ins would be counted is if the cumulative number of write-in votes is greater than the top vote-getter."

The deadline to register for the May election, update your registration or change your party affiliation is April 30. Woon says, "For folks who make that change, that do a party change or you’re registering for the first time, updating your address close to the deadline of next Tuesday, it is possible they will receive two ballots." She adds, "This is totally normal." That’s because some counties pre-print ballots, so they’re ready to be mailed May first. "For a voter who receives two ballots, the most important thing is for them to know they cannot vote twice. They can only vote once. That second ballot that reflects their change is the ballot they should use. And if they have any questions or they’re not sure which ballot to vote, they should contact their county clerk."