VOTER 2025 Spring Edition
- Lindsay LaPlante
- 11 minutes ago
- 14 min read
Greetings!
As we head into a pivotal season for civic engagement, our work to empower voters and defend democracy continues with renewed urgency. Special District Elections are just around the corner, and now is the time to ensure every eligible Oregonian is registered, informed, and ready to vote—on every race, not just the ones making headlines.
Whether it's through expanding access to our trusted, nonpartisan tools like VOTE411.org, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, or advocating for equal rights and fair representation, LWVOR and our local Leagues and Units are working together to strengthen our democracy from the ground up. Thank you for being part of this effort.
In this edition of the VOTER, you’ll find updates on special elections, voting rights, electoral reform, League growth, and more.
Contents:
Special District Elections:
The Next Election is May 20, 2025!
On May 20, 2025, all counties in Oregon will hold a special election.
May elections in odd numbered years select representatives for local districts, such as school boards, water districts or transportation districts. Visit your county elections website to learn more about what’s on your ballot this year.
Register or Check your info by April 29, 2025
To participate in an election a voter must be registered at least 21 days before the election. Voter registration deadline for May 20, 2025, election is April 29, 2025. You can check your registration information anytime at Oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.
Oregon statute (ORS 254.155) requires the Secretary of State to complete a random order of the letters for the alphabet to determine the order in which the names of the candidates will appear on the ballot.
The alphabet for the May 20, 2025, Special Election is:S, Q, T, I, G, Y, O, W, R, Z, F, N, J, H, V, X, D, E, C, M, B, P, U, K, L, A
Learn About Voting
Learn about the candidates and any measures on the ballot by contacting your County Elections Officials.
Learn how voting in Oregon works and what steps we take to make sure it’s safe and secure.
The Oregon Elections Division is committed to providing voters with accurate information about elections in Oregon. Always use trusted information from an official source. Contact the Oregon Elections Division at 503-986-1518 or elections.sos@sos.oregon.gov.
Vote411 in Oregon
Peggy Bengry and Abigail Bok, LWVOR Voter Service Team
There are 915 special districts and school and college districts in Oregon whose Boards of Directors are selected in elections conducted by counties in the spring of odd-numbered years. They range from a road district in Benton County that serves 2 streets and 22 voters to big-city school districts that can serve tens of thousands of voters. These races are of special interest to LWV because they are not well covered by standard news sources and the candidates are mostly unpaid volunteers who can’t afford campaign advertising. League Voter Service in these elections helps fill an important need for voters.
Check out this fascinating resource for all voters.
SUPPLEMENTAL RACE INFORMATION. In addition to uploading all the 2000+ races and the 3000+ candidates for May’s special district election into Vote411, the Vote411 team has added information unique to each race: a description of the responsibilities of board members in the district, qualifications to run, term in office, number to vote for, and sets of questions tailored to the district’s functions. Even when a candidate doesn’t post about his or her campaign, voters can still learn about the positions they’re being asked to vote on.
DISTRICT BOUNDARY & GIS PROJECT. The League of Women Voters of the U.S. provides the basic platform for Vote411, but the content is the responsibility of the state Leagues. These districts have always been a challenge to include in Vote411 because their boundaries are not part of the package of data LWVUS supplies. We have to find the district data ourselves, so our voters who enter their addresses see only the races that will be on their ballots.
The State of Oregon’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) unit and the Department of Revenue (DOR) have supplied many of the computer-readable GIS shapefile data sets that Vote411 requires to define district boundaries but at the start of February of this year, between 200 and 300 of them were very poorly defined as a collection of zip codes, or a nearby city, or even an entire county.
Beginning with organizing and inventorying the districts in Vote411, with help from Abigail Hertzler and Abigail Bok and financial help from the state League Board, Peggy Bengry has worked persistently with state, county, and district agencies to find the missing GIS data sets and has uploaded them to Vote411.
As of April 2, there are only five districts with as-yet-undefined boundaries, and only another five defaulted to zip code boundaries, so Vote411 is in a much better position to support Oregon voters for the May Special District election and will be more comprehensive and accurate than ever before!
VOTE411.org is the League’s nationwide voter education resource that supports millions of diverse voters every single year. The Vote411 Voters’ Guide program enables local and state Leagues to publish information on the candidates and issues in their area on the VOTE411.org platform. The average cost per voter served ranges from 2 to 5 cents each year. The League’s Vote411 work operates inside the Expand the Franchise to increase voter participation through voter registration, education and mobilization and inside the Democracy Truth Project to counter mis- and disinformation and advance better public understanding of the democratic and electoral process.
Vote411.org for the May 20, 2025 Oregon election went live on April 14, 2025.
Basic stats:
• Races - 2,603
• Ballot measures - 58
• Candidates - 2,829 (plus 307 “no candidate filed” races)
Voter Suppression Bills at the State and National Level
LWVOR Action Committee
By now, many League members may be aware of the SAVE Act (HR 22), a federal bill which would require people to produce a document as proof of citizenship when they register In person to vote. The bill specifies a limited range of documents which would be acceptable. Each one must contain the place of birth. The list includes:
A valid passport (only 55% of Oregonians have one)
A government-issued driver’s license (most do not show place of birth)
A military ID with the record of service
A certified birth certificate
An extract from a hospital’s record of birth
A final adoption decree
A naturalization certificate
Noticeably missing from the list is a marriage license. This means that 80% of women who have changed their names after marriage would not be able to prove that they were the person listed on their birth certificates. When Maxine Dexter forced a vote on amendments to the SAVE Act which would have corrected this situation, her amendments failed to pass.
On April 10, House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act. Now we urge League members to contact Oregon's Senators:
In Oregon, there was such a strong outpouring of opposition to a voter suppression bill (SB 210) that the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) website was not functioning for part of March 31st. The League provided written testimony in opposition. Approximately 11,000 testimonies were filed, with 85% opposing the bill, which would have initiated a ballot measure abolishing vote by mail and requiring voter ID in the state. The bill has not been scheduled for a work hearing, so it will not advance.
60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama
Above: Evan with LWVUS CEO Celina Stewart, Evan on Edmund Pettus Bridge, Evan with LWVUS President Dianne Wynn
Evan Tucker, LWVOR Youth Council President
Last month, I had the opportunity to join LWVUS and other voting rights activists from across the nation to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. This gathering was part of the League of Women Voters’ Young Voter Power (YVP) initiative, a powerful experience that brought together young leaders committed to strengthening democracy. First convening in New Orleans in August, then in Alabama this March, the YVP cohort has been an inspiring space for that kind of reflection and action. Composed of young League members from states like Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, California, and Oregon, these experiences have helped us grow together as young advocates for democracy.
On the day of the commemoration in Selma, I joined thousands of peaceful demonstrators in a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Powerful chants rang through the streets: “This is what democracy looks like!” and “When voting rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” Being in attendance felt conflicting because the bridge, once a site of brutality and fear, has become a symbol of courage, resistance, and the enduring fight for civil rights. People from all walks of life were in attendance, which I found to be incredibly poetic.
Democracy is fragile, and only exists as long as we let it.
During our trip, we visited the Legacy Museum in Montgomery where I learned about Alonzo Tucker, who was the only documented lynching victim in Oregon. Mr. Tucker, a Black man, boxer, and gym owner, was accused of raping a white woman in 1902. Although the allegation was never proven, it ignited a racist mob. Tucker fled but was shot by two unidentified 12-year-old boys. After succumbing to his fatal gunshot wounds, Tucker’s lifeless body was hung in Coos Bay.
This act of violence is a harrowing stain on Oregon’s history and one we should not forget. Although I was born and raised in Oregon and remained politically and historically inclined throughout most of my upbringing, I did not learn about the lynching of Alonzo Tucker until I arrived in Alabama. This fact I believe is very telling about the current state of both our educational system and the culture in the State of Oregon. I believe it is critical that we, as members of the League, reckon with this history honestly and engage in meaningful reconciliation to move our communities toward justice and equity.
In our work with the League, how can we take a critical approach to the impact of racism on Oregonians?
Equal Rights for All in Oregon
The Equal Rights for All in Oregon ballot initiative for 2026 description states that everyone has equal rights to make private and personal decisions about one's life, health, and future, regardless of one’s ability to become pregnant, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By protecting Oregonians’ ability to make our own private health, life, and partner decisions, our ballot initiative will stop politicians who want to turn back the clock on our basic rights and freedoms.
The ballot initiative process requires gathering 250,000 signatures by July 6, 2026 so Oregon voters in the November 2026 election can vote on Constitutional language ensuring Equal Rights for All in Oregon. That will give them a cushion of 100,000, which is important because each signature will be checked to see if the person is a registered voter, their name matches their voter registration, they haven't signed more than once, etc.
LWVOR is requesting a point-of-contact Local League/Unit Liaison (who will have a mentor so this will be a team approach!) to coordinate with LWVOR effort on sharing information about events, getting questions answered, and reporting on progress. This is important democracy in action for our League to support your community at events through the summer and fall to engage our voters in preparing for the 2026 election year. This can fit around your schedule and your location in the county. Email advocacy@lwvor.org if you would like to find out more!
Jean Pierce (LWVOR Advocacy Chair) will be presenting resources and information on the ER4A ballot measure campaign at the upcoming Communications Cafe on May 14th at 6:30pm so save the date! Communications Cafe, so save the date! You can register here (waiting on link). Additional information about the campaign as well as an opportunity to sign the petition will be available at a table 12:45-1:45 Saturday May 3rd during the LWVOR Convention in Salem.
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President
Barbara Klein, LWVOR 1st VP Communications
As president and vice president of the League of Women Voters of Oregon, we’d like to extend our appreciation to state legislators for their decision in recent years to sign onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
The need for the compact, which would improve the Electoral College, was clear in our November presidential election.
As people watched presidential returns from their TV sets or computer screens, it was obvious that most votes around the country were of little value in deciding the race. The votes from Republicans in Oregon reaped limited attention and made little impact. The same was true for Republicans in our state neighbors, Washington and California. Likewise for Democrats in solidly-red states. Every vote does not count equally in our presidential elections.
The Electoral College has been flawed for decades. Not because of who it elects but because as it stands, only the influential swing states matter. The rest of us in “fly-over states” are almost invisible and taken for granted as a surefire red or blue win. Voter inequity is compounded as presidential campaigns (and promises) focus disproportionately on the handful of swing states—Oregon not being one of them.
The League of Women Voters of the United States established a position over 50 years ago to support abolishing the Electoral College. As a compromise, we also support the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The compact maintains the Electoral College. However, it uses the Constitution to improve the system by guaranteeing the candidate who garners the most votes nationwide wins. It would ensure all votes are equal, including Republicans in blue states and Democrats in red ones.
With the states currently having signed onto the compact, now representing 209 of the 270 electoral votes required for it to take effect, it is possible that this could be the last presidential election without a true national popular vote.
Short of a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is crucial to ensure that every citizen’s vote, in every state, truly matters in our presidential elections.
We want to thank our state legislators for their commitment to this important cause. The League of Women Voters stands for “Every Vote Equal.”
Succession Planning
The LWVOR Nominating Committee encourages all board officers, directors, and individuals with a portfolio to consider succession planning an essential part of their role. When planning to retire, shift portfolios, or conclude a term, we invite you to help identify and support a successor to carry the work forward. Sharing your knowledge and fostering new leadership strengthens the League and ensures continuity in our efforts.
Ideas for doing so:
Form a committee of 2-3 others from local leagues who are your kindreds and share your interest in your portfolio or, in the case for treasurer and secretary, have some experience with your responsibilities.
Get acquainted with each other and have some fun with it.
Use the available job description or develop your own description relevant to your portfolio.
Mentor and train them with the volunteer work of your portfolio.
Delegate or accept their offers to help share the work you do.
Know that your portfolio is in good hands when you retire from it.
New Membership Model: How Will It Affect our League?
Individual Membership
Every current member of Oregon leagues/units who has an email address in our system will receive an email letting you know that it is time to renew your membership. To renew, you will log into ChapterSpot and be given the opportunity to fill out any membership information asked by your League and to verify and update your data if needed.
The LWV contract with ChapterSpot affirms that all data is owned and exclusively safeguarded for LWV purposes only. ChapterSpot is not authorized to use it for anything other than fulfilling its service to our organization.
For those league members who cannot access the internet or do not want to interact with ChapterSpot, all League Membership Coordinators can maintain/update their membership information in ChapterSpot and continue to track years of league membership as they do now.
Change to Household and Student Membership
With the new ChapterSpot system, Household and Student membership types have been discontinued. Everyone who is not a Life Member has been changed to Individual.
When your annual membership expiration approaches, you will receive an email renewal notice. This is a change from current practice of household renewal emails sent to the individual (primary) member, which includes the household member.
When the Individual (Primary) member in your household receives their renewal notice, the individual member will have the option to renew on behalf of another member in your household as well, though a unique email will be requested for your household member. They should be aware that the notices are coming and that they have the option to renew on their own.
Your email address is your username for ChapterSpot. This is the way you will receive renewal reminders and forgotten password emails. Because your email is your username, you won’t be able to have the same one as someone else. Any member can unsubscribe from some types of messages, such as fundraising emails or optional newsletters. As a member of our organization, some messages, such as those about your membership, are not optional.
Dues, Donations, and Tax-Deductible Percentages
Members can still donate directly as desired via their local or state league website “Donate” button, by check, or by adding additional donations through ChapterSpot on top of dues payments. If your local and/or state League dues are going to a 501(c)(3), that will be identified in your confirmation email, which can be used as a tax receipt.
An increase to 20% of dues will go to the local League, an increase to 47% of dues will go to the state League, and a decrease of 33% will go to LWVUS, in order to increase support for local and state voter education and advocacy efforts.
Gratitude for the Generous Support Helping Us Fuel Democracy
At the League of Women Voters of Oregon, our mission is ambitious: to empower voters, defend democracy, and ensure that every Oregonian has access to accurate, nonpartisan information and meaningful civic engagement. This work is made possible in part because of the generosity of our partners - foundations, educational institutions, and civic allies - who believe in the power of informed participation.
In 2024 and early 2025, we were honored to receive critical grant funding from several organizations that are helping us expand our reach and deepen our impact.
The Carol and Velma Saling Foundation awarded LWVOR a generous $57,000 grant, which enabled us to continue our mission mandates of voter education and civic engagement.
Vernier Science Education contributed $1,000 to support our voter service work and the cost of our VOTE411 subscription. This contribution is part of a shared vision: fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and inquiry in both science and civic life.
The Autzen Foundation awarded us $5,000 to strengthen our youth civic engagement programming. This grant fueled initiatives led by our LWVOR Youth Council. These programs are not just about participation; they are about cultivating lifelong habits of civic responsibility and leadership.
The Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics provided $2,000 to support our youth programming focused on democratic engagement. Their investment allowed young Oregonians to take the lead in empowering the next generation of voters and public servants.
The League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) awarded $700 to support youth voter registration efforts and hands-on outreach.
And finally, The Annabelle Kitzhaber LWVOR Education Fund contributed $2,937, further supporting our statewide work.
We are profoundly grateful to each of these funders for believing in our mission and investing in democracy not just for today’s voters but also for the voters of the future.
Hands Off! Rallies Sweep Oregon On April 5th
On April 5, 2025, thousands of Oregonians filled streets, sidewalks, and public squares in a coordinated wave of Hands Off! rallies protesting threats to reproductive rights, voting access, climate policy, and democracy itself.
League of Women Voters members stood proudly among them, from Medford to Eugene, Corvallis to Umpqua, waving signs, hoisting banners, and reminding everyone that democracy is not a spectator sport.
The Oregon Capital Chronicle captured the intensity and emotion of the day in this statewide roundup, sharing stories of first-time protesters, federal employees at risk of losing their jobs, and longtime activists who refuse to be silent.
League Presence from South to North
In Medford, League members joined the community on Jackson Street, with LWVOR Communications Chair and First Vice President Barbara Klein attending in support of the Rogue Valley League. Photos of the Medford gathering captured a lively crowd energized by clear skies and a clear purpose.
In Eugene, the Lane County League rallied at the Eugene City Council building, extending their presence across the Ferry Street Bridge and along the river path. They carried the powerful “Marching in Their Footsteps” banner, designed by a local artist and first carried at the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C.
In Corvallis, over 700 people gathered at the Benton County Courthouse, including members of the League of Women Voters of Corvallis. Their presence amplified a strong local turnout fueled by passionate calls for accountability and inclusion.
Meanwhile, Umpqua Valley League members participated in their own local event. Photos from the Umpqua rally show a cross-section of community members adding their voices to the day’s statewide chorus.
A Statewide Movement And a Moment of Unity
The Hands Off! rallies weren’t just about one issue: they were about the interconnected threats facing our communities. League members stood with coalition partners including Indivisible, MoveOn, and other local organizers in calling out harmful federal policies, state-level restrictions, and the erosion of democratic norms.
With over 2,100 people registered for Hands Off! events in Eugene alone and final crowd estimates for Oregon ranging from 6,000 to over 10,000, it was clear that this wasn’t a fringe action.
It was a groundswell.
As we move forward into the Special District Elections and beyond, LWVOR remains committed to defending democracy, promoting civic engagement, and ensuring every Oregonian’s voice is heard at the ballot box.
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