The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is under fire for its voter registration practices, which have reportedly allowed individuals of “unknown citizenship” status to register to vote. According to Republican state Rep. Ed Diehl, DMV employees are instructed to process voter registrations for individuals who self-attest to being U.S. citizens, even if their documentation doesn’t confirm citizenship.
This revelation comes after Democratic Governor Tina Kotek temporarily paused Oregon’s “motor voter” program amid an investigation into more than 1,500 potential noncitizens being improperly registered to vote. The controversy highlights a larger debate over voter registration protocols and the integrity of election systems.
Under the DMV’s current process, individuals presenting identification that neither proves nor disproves citizenship—such as foreign passports or immigration documents—are still offered the chance to register to vote. The applicant need only certify their eligibility, a step critics argue is insufficient to prevent voter fraud.
Rep. Diehl, who met with DMV officials in October, revealed that voter registration now relies exclusively on attestation. “Instead of being optional — a side track basically for voter registration — it’s right now the only way,” Diehl said.
Previously, the motor voter program, which automatically registered individuals to vote based on certain DMV transactions, theoretically required some level of documentary proof of citizenship. However, documents obtained by The Federalist show that the DMV has registered over 54,600 individuals of “unknown citizenship status” between June 2021 and October 2024 under the current system.
Gov. Kotek’s decision to pause the motor voter program followed initial reports of noncitizens being registered. However, the pause does not appear to have resolved concerns. The DMV’s alternative process still relies on self-certification of citizenship, sparking criticism from lawmakers like Diehl, who argue that it opens the door to abuse.
Kevin Glenn, the communications director for the Oregon Department of Transportation, defended the DMV’s approach, stating it complies with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates that motor vehicle agencies offer voter registration services.
“If, during a transaction with DMV, a person presents an identity document that does not prove they are a U.S. citizen, but also does not indicate they are not a U.S. citizen, we offer the person the opportunity to register to vote,” Glenn explained. “That requires the person certify they are a U.S. citizen.”
The Oregon voter registration form asks applicants to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number, a driver’s license number, or other acceptable identification, such as a utility bill or paycheck stub. However, none of these documents definitively prove citizenship, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the system.
Applicants must also check a box affirming that they are U.S. citizens. If they lie, they commit perjury, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and fines totaling $135,000. However, enforcement mechanisms for such cases remain unclear. Critics argue that the lack of proactive verification undermines the deterrence value of these penalties.
Internal DMV documents obtained by The Federalist confirm the agency’s practices. A document dated October 25, titled “Proof of Citizenship Accepted By DMV,” explicitly states that the agency offers “opt-in voter registration” to individuals with “unknown citizenship status.”
The document outlines that while individuals who present proof of non-citizenship are not offered voter registration, those who fall into the ambiguous category of “unknown citizenship” are still provided the opportunity to register, provided they self-certify their eligibility.
Critics like Diehl argue that these practices erode public confidence in election integrity. “Unless they demonstrate that they’re not a citizen, yeah, they’ll offer them to vote,” Diehl said, emphasizing the need for stricter safeguards.
Supporters of the DMV’s approach, however, point out that the agency is merely complying with federal law, which prioritizes making voter registration accessible. They argue that accusations of widespread fraud are largely unsubstantiated and that self-attestation strikes a balance between accessibility and accountability.
The controversy has broader implications for national debates over voter registration and election security. Opponents of Oregon’s practices see them as symptomatic of a larger issue: the potential for noncitizens to inadvertently or intentionally participate in elections.
As the external audit of Oregon’s motor voter program continues, the spotlight will remain on the state’s voter registration practices. Gov. Kotek and the DMV are likely to face increased scrutiny from both lawmakers and the public, with calls for reforms that prioritize both accessibility and security.
For now, the issue underscores a larger tension in American democracy: balancing the need for inclusive voter participation with the imperative to protect the integrity of elections. Whether Oregon’s current approach can achieve that balance remains to be seen.
