No Trump statement in voters pamphlet now reaching households

As Oregon’s voter registration deadline approaches and ballots go out in the mail for the May 21 primary, voters may notice an omission in their voters pamphlets now in the mail.

There is no candidate statement from Donald Trump, the former president who is the sole candidate listed on the Republican primary ballot. (President Joe Biden and Marianne Williamson are the only candidates on the Democratic primary ballot.)

The online voters guide says no statement was filed on behalf of Trump.

Candidate statements are optional in the official state voters pamphlet and voters guide. The Oregon Elections Division charges fees for their inclusion. For presidential and vice presidential candidates, the fee is $3,500 — the most expensive among the candidates — and an individual statement is limited to 325 words. Candidates can submit a petition with 500 voter signatures in lieu of a fee.

Statements for the primary voters pamphlet and guide were due March 14, two days after the filing deadline for the primary.

April 30 is the deadline for first-time voters to register for the May 21 primary.

It is also the deadline for affiliation with either the Democratic or Republican parties. Since Oregon began primary elections to choose major-party nominees back in 1910, they have been closed, meaning that only registered Democrats can vote for Democratic candidates and registered Republicans for Republican candidates. The parties have opened primary participation to nonaffiliated voters in the past, but not in this election.

All voters, even those with no party affiliation, may vote on ballot measures and candidates for nonpartisan offices — usually judgeships and city and county governments. Some counties, though not the three Portland metro counties, still nominate by political party for commissioner positions. All other county offices are nonpartisan.

The deadline is 11:59 p.m. April 30. Postmarks must be by April 30.

Ballots will start going out in the mail May 1. They are due back by May 21. Voters may drop off ballots at officially designated drop sites by 8 p.m. May 21. If voters choose to mail ballots, the envelopes must be postmarked by May 21, and received by elections offices no later than seven days afterward.

To check your registration status: oregonvotes.gov.