ENTERPRISE — Although Oregon has discovered numerous cases of noncitizens registered to vote, Wallowa County appears to be an exception to that rule, county Clerk Sandy Lathrop said.

She said the state has found some 1,800 noncitizens who have illegally or inadvertently registered to vote.

“Wallowa County hasn’t received any,” Lathrop said.

She’s aware some have been found in Umatilla and Morrow counties — areas where there are more foreign-born farmworkers. Oregon allows people to get driver’s licenses without proof of citizenship under the Motor Voter Program.

Although hundreds were registered, only 17 actually voted, according to a press release Lathrop shared.

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation website, to get a REAL ID in Oregon, you need to visit a Driver & Motor Vehicle Services office in person and provide documents proving your identity, date of birth, Social Security number and two separate proofs of address. You also need to show proof of lawful status in the United States.

Such proofs would ensure voters comply with President Donald Trump’s recent executive order and push for Congress to pass a measure to codify voting requirements through the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.

Lathrop said when she registers people to vote, she regularly goes through the entire process of ensuring would-be voters “check all the boxes” and provide proof of citizenship before registering.

“We’re really lucky, here,” she said, adding she’s never had any noncitizens attempt to register to vote.

Otherwise, she has to rely on the information the DMV collects, which has proven problematic in the past.

According to the DMV’s website, the Elections Division will only send Motor Voter Cards to people who have provided documentation they are U.S. citizens. Oregon voters also are required to attest to their qualifications — including citizenship — at the time they submit their ballot.

In early April, members of the Oregon House of Representatives pushed for the Motor Voter Program to be housed under the Secretary of State’s Office rather than the state transportation department’s DMV. Lathrop said she is aware a measure on that is moving through the Legislature.

She said the Secretary of State’s Office put a pause on automatic voter registration without proof of citizenship in October, but it’s too late for those already registered.

“They’re finding out there’s no way to find those until they come back to get a Real ID. You can’t cancel them once they’re in the system,” Lathrop said. “But you can deactivate them so they don’t get a ballot.”

The DMV on April 29 resumed sending records to the Secretary of State for automatic registration after clerical errors discovered by DMV staff were rectified.