Oregon’s election laws are really more suggestions

As the 2022 general election cycle comes to an end, we’re seeing a variety of complaints, lawsuits, and judgments concerning violations of Oregon election laws. These cases are often included in campaign coverage as just a normal part of the business of elections. But these violations and their outcomes can have an outsized impact on… Continue reading Oregon’s election laws are really more suggestions

What’s next in the Portland City Charter Review Process

The City of Portland convened a charter review commission to update the city charter in 2020. The charter is the document empowers city officials to do their work and outlines what that work should be. On June 14, the charter review commission voted to send a single ballot measure to voters that includes three major changes to local government:… Continue reading What’s next in the Portland City Charter Review Process

Early summer election nuts and bolts

Early summer can seem like a quiet time for political campaigns. The primary season is over and campaigns for the general election are only just getting started. But while there may be fewer visible campaign activities going on right now, there’s a lot happening on the procedural level — steps that must be completed as… Continue reading Early summer election nuts and bolts

Digest: Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Surprise snow: the details On Monday night, snow fell on Portland — more snow than has ever fallen on the city in April, according to the National Weather Service. Exactly how much fell depended on location, but many folks shared social media updates noting two to three inches of snow, with up to five inches in some… Continue reading Digest: Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Digest: Friday, February 18, 2022

Nicholas Kristof officially out of the governor’s race The Oregon Supreme Court released their ruling on Nicholas Kristof’s eligibility to run for governor of Oregon yesterday: Kristof is ineligible because he has not been a resident of the state for the minimum three years required by the state constitution. One of the key factors in… Continue reading Digest: Friday, February 18, 2022

Digest: Friday, February 11, 2022

Campaign finance reform proposals disqualified from ballot Shemia Fagan, the Secretary of State of Oregon, may have ended this year’s push to put campaign finance reform on the ballot. She disqualified all three proposals (Initiatives 43, 44, and 45) sponsored by Honest Elections Oregon due to a technicality — they don’t include the full text… Continue reading Digest: Friday, February 11, 2022

Public election finance, political contributions, and other money mechanics in the state of Oregon

Money matters in elections. Even if a candidate has significant community support, they need a serious amount of money to run a successful campaign. But the amount of money necessary to participate in Oregon’s political processes is unusually high — and rising. The 2018 gubernatorial race between Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Knute Buehler set… Continue reading Public election finance, political contributions, and other money mechanics in the state of Oregon

Election Mixtape: December 13, 2021

Governor Kate Brown called a special session of the Oregon legislature with the goal of preventing a coming wave of evictions which started this morning. In order to conduct any business, two-thirds of both the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate must be present. There’s some concern, however, that Republicans may refuse to… Continue reading Election Mixtape: December 13, 2021

Election Mix Tape: December 3, 2021

Already on track to break fundraising records In 2018, candidates for governor of Oregon spent $37 million. Kate Brown and Knute Buehler destroyed the previous record, set in 2010 when John Kitzhaber and Chris Dudley spent $18 million. But 2022 will likely set a whole new record — so far, Betsy Johnson is leading fundraising… Continue reading Election Mix Tape: December 3, 2021