The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party, but works independently through its many volunteers for sound, reasonable solutions to today's most pressing policy issues.
The League prepared this directory to help you contact your elected officials more easily. We hope you will use it to express your views on local, state and national issues.
| Democratic Party of Oregon 232 NE 9th Ave. Portland, OR 97232 Phone: 503-224-8200 Email: info@dpo.org Web: www.dpo.org |
Oregon Republican Party PO Box 789 Salem, OR 97308-0789 Phone: 503-587-9244 Email: info@orgop.org Web: www.orgop.org |
| Libertarian Party 12602 SW Farmington Rd. Beaverton, OR 97005 Phone: 503-924-5991 Email: newsletter@lporegon.org Web: www.lporegon.org |
Pacific Green Party Email: info@pacificgreens.org Web: www.pacificgreens.org |
| Constitution Party Web: www.constitutionpartyoregon.com |
Working Families Party of Oregon Phone: 503-841-7161 Web: www.oregonwfp.org |
See the Oregon Secretary of State’s web site (www.sos.state.or.us/elections/other.info/polparty.pdf) for other parties and additional information.
| President George W. Bush (R) Vice President Richard Cheney (R) The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500 |
Term Ends: January 2009 Term Ends: January 2009 Phone: 202-456-1111 (Comments) Phone: 202-456-1414 (Information) Fax: 202-456-2461 Pres. Email: president@whitehouse.gov VP Email: vice.president@whitehouse.gov |
For information about the federal government, visit the web site www.info.gov or call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636).
| Senator Ron Wyden (D) 230 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-5244 Fax: 202-228-2717 Web: wyden.senate.gov |
Term Ends: January 2011 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Suite 585 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-7525 Fax: 503-326-7528 |
| Senator Gordon Smith (R) 404 Russell Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997 Web: gsmith.senate.gov |
Term Ends: January 2009 One World Trade Center 121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-3386 Fax: 503-326-2900 |
| District #1 Rep. David Wu (D) 2338 Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-0855 Fax: 202-225-9497 Web: www.house.gov/wu |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 620 SW Main St., Suite 606 Portland, OR 97205 Phone: 503-326-2901 or 1-800-422-4003 Fax: 503-326-5066 |
| District #2 Rep. Greg Walden (R) Web: walden.house.gov |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Represents Eastern Oregon |
| District #3 Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D) 2667 Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-4811 Fax: 202-225-8941 Web: blumenauer.house.gov |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 729 NE Oregon St., Suite 115 Portland, OR 97232 Phone: 503-231-2300 Fax: 503-230-5413 |
| District #4 Rep. Peter DeFazio (D) Web: defazio.house.gov |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Represents Southern Oregon |
| District #5 Rep. Darlene Hooley (D) 2430 Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-5711 Fax: 202-225-5699 Web: hooley.house.gov |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 21570 Willamette Dr. West Linn, OR 97068 Phone: 503-557-1324 Fax: 503-557-1981 |
| Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) Office of the Governor 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301-4047 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 503-378-4582 Fax: 503-378-6827 Email: representative.citizen@state.or.us Web: www.governor.oregon.gov |
| Secretary of State Bill Bradbury (D) 136 State Capitol Building Salem, OR 97310 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1523 Fax: 503-986-1616 Email: oregon.sos@state.or.us Web: www.sos.state.or.us |
| State Treasurer Randall Edwards (D) 350 Winter NE Suite 100 Salem, OR 97301-3896 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-378-4329 Fax: 503-373-7051 Email: oregon.treasury@state.or.us Web: www.ost.state.or.us |
| Attorney General Hardy Myers (D) 1162 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301-4096 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-378-4400 Fax: 503-378-4017 Web: www.doj.state.or.us |
| Commissioner of Labor and Industry Dan Gardner (D) 800 NE Oregon St., Suite 1045 Portland, OR 97232 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 971-673-0761 Fax: 971-673-0762 Web: www.oregon.gov/boli |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo (Nonpartisan) Oregon Department of Education 255 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97310-0203 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 503-947-5600 Fax: 503-378-5156 Web: www.ode.state.or.us |
| Senate Legislative Committees Business, Transportation, and Workforce Development Commerce Education and General Government Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Revenue Health Care Reform Health and Human Services Health Policy and Public Affairs Judiciary Land Use Fairness Legislative Operations and Reform Retimed Session Rules Joint Senate/House Committees |
House Legislative Committees Agriculture and Natural Resources Business and Labor Consumer Protection Education Education Innovation Subcommittee Higher Education Subcommittee Elections, Ethics, and Rules Energy and the Environment Government Accountability and Information Technology Health Care Health Care Access Subcommittee Health Policy Subcommittee House Guidelines Human Services and Women's Wellness Judiciary Revenue Transportation Veterans' Affairs Workforce and Economic Development |
| Senate Leadership | |
| President Peter Courtney (D) District #11—Salem |
Phone: 503-986-1600 Email: sen.petercourtney@state.or.us |
| President Pro Tempore Margaret Carter (D) District #22-Portland |
Phone: 503-986-1722 Email: sen.margaretcarter@state.or.us |
| Majority Leader Kate Brown (D) District #21—Portland |
Phone: 503-986-1700 Email: sen.katebrown@state.or.us |
| Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli (R) District #30—John Day |
Phone: 503-986-1950 Email: sen.tedferrioli@state.or.us |
| House Leadership | |
| Speaker of the House Jeff Markley (D) District #47—Portland |
Phone: 503-986-1200 Email: rep.jeffmerkley@state.or.us |
| Speaker Pro Tempore Diane Rosenbaum (D) District #42-Portland |
Phone: 503-986-1442 Email: rep.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us |
| Majority Leader Dave Hunt (D) District #40—Clackamas County |
Phone: 503-986-1440 Email: rep.davehunt@state.or.us |
| Republican Leader Wayne Scott (R) District #39—Canby |
Phone: 503-986-1400 Email: rep.waynescott@state.or.us |
Address for Writing to Your Legislator:
(Name of Legislator)
State Capitol Building
900 Court St. NE (Room #)
Salem, OR 97301
To leave a message for your legislator, check the status of a bill or verify meeting schedules, call: 1-800-332-2313 or 1-503-986-1180.
| Sen. Ryan Deckert (D) District #14 Room S-219 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1714 Email: sen.ryandeckert@state.or.us |
| Sen. Betsy Johnson (D) District #16 Room S-314 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 503-543-4046 Email: sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us |
| Sen. Brad Avakian (D) District #17 Room S-305 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 503-531-9783 Email: sen.bradavakian@state.or.us |
| Sen. Ginny Burdick (D) District #18 Room S-317 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1718 Email: sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us |
| Sen. Richard Devlin (D) District #19 Room S-316 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 503-986-1719 Email: sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us |
| Sen. Kate Brown (D) District #21 Room S-323 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1700 Email: sen.katebrown@state.or.us |
| Sen. Margaret Carter (D) District #22 Room S-311 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1722 Email: sen.margaretcarter@state.or.us |
| Sen. Avel Gordly (I) District #23 Room S-303 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1723 Email: sen.avelgordly@state.or.us |
| Sen. Rod Monroe (D) District #24 Room S-306 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 503-986-1724 Email: sen.rodmonroe@state.or.us |
| Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson (D) District #25 Room S-310 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1725 Email: sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us |
| Sen. Rick Metsger (D) District #26 Room S-307 |
Term Ends: Jan 2011 Phone: 503-986-1726 Email: sen.rickmetsger@state.or.us |
| Rep. Tobias Read (D) District #27—Beaverton Room H-489 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1427 Email: rep.tobiasread@state.or.us |
| Rep. Brad Witt (D) District #31—Clatskanie Room H-277 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1431 Email: rep.bradwitt@state.or.us |
| Rep. Mitch Greenlick (D) District #33—Portland Room H-493 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1433 Email: rep.mitchgreenlick@state.or.us |
| Rep. Larry Galizio (D) District #35—Tigard Room H-390 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1435 Email: rep.larrygalizio@state.or.us |
| Rep. Mary Nolan (D) District #36—Portland Room H-486 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1436 Email: rep.marynolan@state.or.us |
| Rep. Greg Macpherson (D) District #38—Lake Oswego Room H-385 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1438 Email: rep.gregmacpherson@state.or.us |
| Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D) District #41—Milwaukie Room H-286 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1441 Email: rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us |
| Rep. Diane Rosenbaum (D) District #42—Portland Room H-380 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1442 Email: rep.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us |
| Rep. Chip Shields (D) District #43—Portland Room H-389 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1443 Email: rep.chipshields@state.or.us |
| Rep. Tina Kotek (D) District #44—Portland Room H-285 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1444 Email: rep.tinakotek@state.or.us |
| Rep. Jackie Dingfelder (D) District #45—Portland Room H-377 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1445 Email: rep.jackiedingfelder@state.or.us |
| Rep. Ben Cannon (D) District #46—Portland Room H-487 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1446 Email: rep.bencannon@state.or.us |
| Rep. Jeff Merkley (D) District #47—Portland Room 269 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1200 Email: rep.jeffmerkley@state.or.us |
| Rep. Mike Schaufler (D) District #48—Happy Valley Room H-474 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1448 Email: rep.mikeschaufler@state.or.us |
| Rep. Karen Minnis (R) District #49—Wood Village Room H-386 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1449 Email: rep.karenminnis@state.or.us |
| Rep. John Lim (R) District #50—Gresham Room H-496 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1450 Email: rep.johnlim@state.or.us |
| Rep. Linda Flores (R) District #51—Clackamas Room H-287 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1451 Email: rep.lindaflores@state.or.us |
| Rep. Patti Smith (R) District #52—Corbett Room H-291 |
Term Ends: Jan 2009 Phone: 503-986-1452 Email: rep.pattismith@state.or.us |
| Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan | Phone: 503-797-1541 Email: jordanm@metro.dst.or.us |
| Executive Assistant Kim Bardes | Phone: 503-797-1537 Email: bardes@metro.dst.or.us |
| Metro Regional Center 600 NE Grand Avenue Portland, OR 97232-2736 |
Phone: 503-797-1700 Fax: 503-797-1797 |
| President David Bragdon Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-797-1889 Email: bragdond@metro.dst.or.us |
| District 1 Councilor Rod Park Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-797-1547 Email: parkr@metro.dst.or.us |
| District 2 Councilor Brian Newman Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-797-1887 Email: newmanb@metro.dst.or.us |
| District 3 Councilor Carl Hosticka Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-797-1549 Email: hostickac@metro.dst.or.us |
| District 4 Councilor Kathryn Harrington Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-797-1553 Email: harringtonk@metro.dst.or.us |
| District 5 Councilor Rex Burkholder Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-797-1546 Email: burkholderr@metro.dst.or.us |
| District 6 Councilor Robert Liberty Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-797-1918 Email: libertyr@metro.dst.or.us |
| Auditor Suzanne Flynn Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-797-1891 Email: flynns@metro.dst.or.us |
| Multnomah County Government Multnomah Building 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97214 Phone: 503-823-4000 (City/County Info Line) Phone: 503-988-3277 (Board Clerk) |
Multnomah County Elections Division 1040 SE Morrison St. Portland, OR 97214 Phone: 503-988-3720 Fax: 503-988-3719 Web: www.mcelections.org Director: John Kauffman |
| Chair Ted Wheeler Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-988-3308 Email: mult.chair@co.multnomah.or.us |
| District #1 Comm. Maria Rojo de Steffey Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-988-5220 Email: district1@co.multnomah.or.us |
| District #2 Comm. Jeffrey Cogen Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-988-5219 Email: district2@co.multnomah.or.us |
| District #3 Comm. Lisa Naito Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-988-5217 Email: district3@co.multnomah.or.us |
| District #4 Comm. Lonnie Roberts Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-988-5213 Email: lonnie.j.roberts@co.multnomah.or.us |
| Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-988-3320 Email: lavonne.l.griffin-valade@co.multnomah.or.us |
| Sheriff Bernie Guisto Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-988-4300 |
| District Attorney Michael Schrunk Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-988-3162 Email: DA@mcda.us |
City Council's calendar is printed in the Tuesday Daily Journal of Commerce and the city’s web site. Meetings, at which public testimony is heard, are: Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. On the third Wednesday of the month, the p.m. session is held at 6:00 p.m.; Thursday, 2 p.m. Council meetings are broadcast on Portland Cable, Channel 30 and on the web.
| 1221 SW Fourth Ave. Portland, OR 97204 |
Phone: 503-823-4000 (City/County Info Line) Fax: 503-823-4571 Email: cityinfo@ci.portland.or.us |
| Council Clerk: Karla Moore-Love | Phone: 503-823-4086 Email: kmoore-love@ci.portland.or.us |
| Office of Ombudsman | Phone: 503-823-0144 Email: ombudsman@ci.portland.or.us |
| Mayor Tom Potter Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-823-4120 Email: mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us |
| Commissioner Sam Adams - Position 1 Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-823-3008 Email: samadams@ci.portland.or.us |
| Commissioner Erik Sten - Position 2 Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-823-3589 Email: erik@ci.portland.or.us |
| Commissioner Dan Saltzman - Position 3 Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-823-4151 Email: dsaltzman@ci.portland.or.us |
| Commissioner Randy Leonard - Position 4 Term Ends: Jan 2009 |
Phone: 503-823-4682 Email: randy@ci.portland.or.us |
| Auditor Gary Blackmer Term Ends: Jan 2011 |
Phone: 503-823-4082 Email: gblackmer@ci.portland.or.us |
| 1300 NE Village St. PO Box 337 Fairview, OR 97024 Main Contact: Julia Bulsin, Exec. Assistant City Manager: Joseph Gall |
Phone: 503-674-6224 Fax: 503-666-0888 Email: bulsinj@ci.fairview.or.us Phone: 503-674-6211 |
| Mayor Mike Weatherby | Dec 2010 | Councilor Jim Raze - Position 1 | Dec 2008 |
| Councilor Barbara Jones - Position 2 | Dec 2008 | Councilor Ken Quimby - Position 3 | Dec 2008 |
| Councilor Steve Owen - Position 4 | Dec 2010 | Councilor Lisa Barton-Mullins - Position 5 | Dec 2010 |
| Councilor Larry Cooper - Position 6 | Dec 2010 |
| 1333 NW Eastman Parkway Gresham, OR 97030 Main Contact: Connie Otto City Manager: Erik Kvarsten |
Phone: 503-618-2360 Fax: 503-665-7692 Phone: 503-618-2360 Email: connie.otto@ci.gresham.or.us Phone: 503-618-2346 |
| Mayor Shane Bemis | Dec 2010 | Councilor Karilynn Echols - Position 1 | Dec 2008 |
| Councilor Mike Bennett - Position 2 | Dec 2010 | Councilor Shirley Craddick - Position 3 | Dec 2008 |
| Councilor Richard Strathern - Position 4 | Dec 2010 | Councilor Paul Warr-King - Position 5 | Dec 2008 |
| Councilor Carol Nielson-Hood | Dec 2010 |
| 10100 NE Prescott St. Suite 147 Portland, OR 97220 Main Contact: Julie Risley |
Phone: 503-255-9805 |
| Mayor Mark Hardie | Dec 2010 | Councilor Steven Gorthro | Dec 2010 |
| Councilor Dave Snodgrass | Dec 2010 | Councilor Jim Akers | Dec 2008 |
| Councilor Art Winslow | Dec 2008 |
| 104 SE Kibling Troutdale, OR 97060 Main Contact: Debbie Stickney, City Recorder City Administrator: John Anderson |
Phone: 503-674-7237 Fax: 503-667-6403 Email: dstickney@ci.troutdale.or.us |
| Mayor Paul Thalhofer | Dec 2008 | Councilor Jim Kight - Position | Dec 2010 |
| Councilor David Ripma - Position 2 | Dec 2008 | Councilor Norman Thomas - Position 3 | Dec 2010 |
| Councilor Robert Canfield - Position 4 | Dec 2008 | Councilor Barbara Kyle - Position 5 | Dec 2010 |
| Councilor Douglas Daoust - Position 6 | Dec 2009 |
| 2055 NE 238th Dr. Wood Village, OR 97060 Main Contact: Marie McPhee City Administrator: Sheila Ritz |
Phone: 503-667-6211 Fax: 503-669-8723 Email: city@ci.wood-village.or.us |
| Mayor - To Be Elected | Councilor Peggy Minter - Position 1 | Dec 2010 | |
| Councilor Patricia Smith - Position 2 | Dec 2008 | Councilor Dave Fuller - Position 3 | Dec 2008 |
| Councilor Mark Clark - Position 4 | Dec 2010 | Councilor Todd Sturdavant - Position 5 | Dec 2008 |
| Montgomery Park 2701 NW Vaughan St., Suite 450 Portland, OR 97210 |
Phone: 503-222-7645 |
| East | Web: emswcd.org |
| Contact: Jean Fike, District Manager Board Chair Dianna L. Pope |
Phone: 503-222-7645 ext. 104 |
| West | Web: westmultconserv.org |
| Contact: Jim Robison, District Administrator Board Chair Brian Lightcap |
Phone: 503-284-4775 ext. 101 |
| PO Box 2026 Gresham, OR 97030 Contact: Kathy Damon, Office Manager |
Phone: 503-663-3059 |
| 19601 NE Halsey Portland, OR 97230 Contact: Harvey Barnes, District Manager |
Phone: 503-665-4179 Email: hbarnes@rwpud.org |
| Board Chair | To Be Elected |
| Multnomah Education Service District 11611 NE Ainsworth Circle Portland, OR 97220-9017 Superintendent: Dr. Edward L. Schmitt |
w3.mesd.k12.or.us Phone: 503-257-1503 or 1504 Fax: 503-257-1525 Meets 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm |
| Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark St. Gresham, OR 97030 President: Dr. Robert Silverman |
www.mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-6422 Meets 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 pm |
| Portland Community College PO Box 19000 Portland, OR 97280-0990 President: Dr. Preston Pulliams |
www.pcc.edu Phone: 503-244-6111 Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays Contact Lorna O'Guinn, 503-977-4334 |
| Portland Public Schools 501 N Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227-1804 Superintendent: Dr. Vicki Phillips |
www.pps.k12.or.us Phone: 503-916-2000 Fax: 503-916-3000 Meets 2nd and 4th Mondays, 6:30 pm |
| David Douglas School District 1500 SE 130th Portland, OR 97233 Superintendent: Barbara Rommel |
www.ddouglas.k12.or.us Phone: 503-252-2900 Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays |
| Parkrose School District 10636 NE Prescott St. Portland, OR 97220 Superintendent: Michael Taylor |
www.parkrose.k12.or.us Phone: 503-408-2100 Meets 4th Monday, 7:00 pm |
| Centennial School District 18135 SE Brooklyn St. Portland, OR 97236 Superintendent: Dr. Robert McKean |
www.centennial.k12.or.us Phone: 503-760-7990 Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 7:00 pm |
| Gresham-Barlow School District 1331 NW Eastman Parkway Gresham, OR 97030 Superintendent: Ken Noah |
district.gresham.k12.or.us Phone: 503-618-2450 Meets 1st Thursday, 7:00 pm |
| Reynolds School District 1204 NE 201st Ave. Fairview, OR 97024 Superintendent: Dr. Terry Kneisler |
www.reynolds.k12.or.us Phone: 503-661-7200 Fax: 503-667-6932 Meets 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 pm |
| Corbett School District 35800 E Historic Columbia River Hwy. Corbett, OR 97019 Superintendent: Robert Dunton |
www.corbett.k12.or.us Phone: 503-695-3612 Fax: 503-695-3641 Meets 3rd Wednesday, 7:30 pm |
Any Oregon resident who is at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen may register to vote. You may register at your County Elections office or by mail any time up through the 21st day before the election. Your registration is permanent unless you change your name, home address, mailing address or political party. You can find mail-in registration forms at the elections office, post offices, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, on the web at www.mcelections.org and in many phone directories. A mail-in registration form must be postmarked by the deadline.
Vote-By-Mail
In November 1998, the voters of Oregon passed an initiative petition making all elections vote-by-mail. In vote-by-mail elections, the ballot is mailed to the voter about 2 weeks before the election. After marking the ballot, the voter may return it to the elections office by mail, at an official drop-off site or in person. To be counted, ballots must be received at an official site by 8 p.m. on election day. Any registered voter who does not get a ballot may request another.
Elections in Oregon
A primary election is in May in even-numbered years. There are partisan and nonpartisan positions and, possibly, measures on the ballot. Only major party candidates contend for partisan positions in the primary. Only voters affiliated with a party may vote for candidates of that party unless a major political party chooses to open the primary to independent voters. Other registered voters vote only for nonpartisan candidates and ballot measures. Nonpartisan candidates may win outright in the primary based on a percentage of the vote. If a specified percentage is not achieved by one candidate, the two candidates with the most votes will contend in the general election.
A general election is in November in even-numbered years.
A district election is held at various times of the year. Only voters whose residence is in a given district are eligible to vote the district's ballot.
For more information, contact:
Oregon Elections Division
141 State Capitol
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-1518
Toll-free Phone: 1-866-ORE-VOTES (1-866-673-8683)
Email: elections-division@sosinet.sos.state.or.us
Web: www.sos.state.or.us/elections
Multnomah County Elections
1040 SE Morrison St.
Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-988-3720
Email: christopher.e.sample@co.multnomah.co.or.us
Web: www.mcelections.org
Initiative and Referendum
The initiative and referendum process is a system of direct government by the people. An initiative allows citizens to directly propose a law or a constitutional amendment to be voted upon by the electorate. A referendum allows voters to accept or reject a law or constitutional amendment passed or proposed by the State Legislature. The Legislature must refer measures to the people in the case of constitutional amendments, tax levies and bond issues. In other cases, the Legislature may refer legislation. In addition, citizens may file referendum petitions.
To place an initiative or referendum on the ballot, supporters must obtain signatures from registered voters. The number of signatures needed is a fixed percentage of all votes cast for all candidates for governor in the preceding general election.