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

Are you registered to vote? Time to check

As of today, there’s just sixty days until the general election ending November 8. If you’re planning to vote, you’ll want to double check your voter registration, ideally before the end of September. The deadline to register to vote, change party affiliation, or to update your address is Tuesday, October 18. Technically, you’re able to update… Continue reading Are you registered to vote? Time to check

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

State of the Ballot — June

With this post, I’m officially back from my post-primary hiatus. I’ll get into the results, as well as look at upcoming elections. I’ll also be posting a separate update on some small changes to the website, now that PDX.Vote has been up for over six months! Primary results are finally in We’re pretty sure we… Continue reading State of the Ballot — June

When do we get primary results?

Today is the last day to return your ballot for this year’s primary. We already know the outcomes for uncontested races, but it may be a couple of weeks before we get results in other races. The key factor is always how many ballots each county needs to count. As of Monday evening, state turnout hit… Continue reading When do we get primary results?

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: Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Wrongful death lawsuit filed against the City of Portland Portland Police Officer Curtis Brown shot and killed Michael Ray Townsend on June 24, 2021 after Townsend called 911 for mental health help. In September, a grand jury chose to not indict Brown. Townsend’s death is yet another example of the violence the Portland Police Bureau… Continue reading Digest: Wednesday, February 16, 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

Digest: Friday, January 7, 2022

Kristof deemed ineligible to run for Oregon governor Nicholas Kristof’s gubernatorial run hit a major snag yesterday. The Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office informed Kristof that he does not meet the constitutional requirements to serve as governor — specifically that he has not been a resident of Oregon for the past… Continue reading Digest: Friday, January 7, 2022