Search Results

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Date:  June 25, 2025 To: All LWVOR Members From: Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator TAKE ACTION: Please contact all your House and Senate members, particularly members of the Senate Committee on Rules , to urge them to oppose HB 3392 on campaign finance reform , as amended. A last-minute backroom deal has apparently been made to exchange Republican votes for the Transportation Bill for Democratic votes to delay the implementation of HB 4024 (2024) for four years (and probably kill it in a future legislative session). Recall that HB 4024 was the CFR bill passed last year in exchange for dropping Initiative Petition 9. Request: We are asking all Oregon League members to ask their legislators to oppose HB 3392 as amended, and particularly ask members of the Senate Rules Committee .  It would be better to pass no bill on this subject rather than break the historic 2024 deal that was made among the Honest Elections Coalition (of which the LWVOR is a member) , union leaders, business leaders and legislative leaders. Honest Elections Oregon agreed during the 2024 session to drop Initiative Petition 9 in exchange for the passage of HB 4024. In the longer term, we fear this may be the first step to gutting or repealing HB 4024. House Rules held a public hearing at 8 am on June 25. Testimony is important to show that the public is watching, even if you file it within 48 hours after the hearing . The bill will still need to go through the Senate Rules Committee in the next few days, and written testimony will also be important there. “We appear to be confronted with a secret, literally last-minute backroom deal to avoid all campaign contribution limits – and requirements for disclosure of the sources of campaign funds—until 2031, if not forever,” said Jason Kafoury, of the group Honest Elections Oregon. “This is against what the vast majority of Oregonians have voted for at every opportunity.” House Bill 3392 was scheduled to get its first public hearing in House Rules Wednesday at 8 a.m., less than 24 hours after any actual bill language was posted to the Oregon Legislature’s website for the public to review. The committee had also scheduled a work session for the same day, which means that they are not serious about listening to any input from the public. See OPB and Capital Chronicle articles on this bill. Find your legislators here . League Position: See the LWVUS Position on Money in Politics, page 48, Impact on Issues . Deadline: ASAP Contact lwvor@lwvor.org with questions or to volunteer to support legislation like this.

Greetings Members and Friends, The 2025 Oregon State Convention was held in Salem this past May.  Please join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to the host League of Marion/Polk, State Events Chair Eileen Burke-Trent, and all of the people that made it happen.   You will get a flavor for the event in this newsletter and I hope you can take a bit of time and listen to some of the Workshop and Presentation links.   In these turbulent times, we know that being in community and partnering with like-minded organizations is crucial to survive and thrive.  As such, in this edition of the VOTER, I am also excited to share about our new connection through the VOTER GIRL Project with the Girl Scouts, who participated in our Convention this year. In League, Lisa Bentson President League of Women Voters of Oregon Contents: Convention 2025: Convention Overview Community Partnerships: VOTER GIRL Project Advocacy: Lobby Day League Business: Business Session Summary Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Renewed Commitment to DEIJ Convention 2025: Workshops Convention Highlight: Membership Grants Keynote Speaker: Alexis Juday-Marshall Convention 2025: Convention Overview League of Women Voters of Oregon members gathered in Salem in early May to vote on League business and enjoy the company of like-minded people dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy.  LWVOR Convention is a biennial event to network, brainstorm, attend caucuses and workshops, and vote on business proceedings. The event focuses on local, state and national issues. The theme for the event, “ Navigating Democracy’s Next Wave ,” spoke to the continued determination of League members to forge ahead in uncertain times, and that spirit was reflected in the conversations that took place at tables and in hallways throughout the venue. League members shared smiles and hugs as they gathered together to discuss the business at hand or catch up on each other’s lives. The event kicked off with a lunch cruise on the Willamette Queen, a historic riverboat moored on the Willamette River in Salem. League members then met in small groups for the traditional dine-around event, where attendees visited local restaurants and explored the host city. The dine-around was followed by the first annual wine, cheese, and chocolate social, where League members were invited to meet in the Presidential suite for an informal evening gathering.  The Saturday Convention business sessions began with a grand opening ceremony, commencing with a color guard flag march conducted by Girl Scout troops. League members enjoyed professional floral displays put together by the Garden Club and Capitol Design Guild, who were partners for the event. Local dignitaries for the cities of Salem and Keizer, Mayor Julie Hoy and Mayor Cathy Clark, offered brief remarks to round out the opening ceremony.  The business session was followed by a series of afternoon workshops, which covered topics from the State Library of Oregon partnership to K-12 Concurrence information and a review of the Oregon State Courts. League members enjoyed dinner from a local caterer as the evening keynote speaker, Alexis Juday-Marshall, spoke about Oregon’s successes and shared a call to continue the work to defend democracy. The final business session was conducted on Sunday morning , where spirited debates took place as the votes commenced on bylaws amendments, concurrence adoptions, program positions, and approving the state budget. Levity prevailed as the business session drew to a close, with one League member standing to proclaim “May the Fourth be with you” (in honor of the May 4th date) to laughter and applause.  Laughs, smiles, and enthusiastic conversations were hallmarks of the event, signaling the most important aspect of the Convention: Spending time with like-minded League members and event partners, engaged in the vital work to defend democracy but also in building community with one another. As Alexis Juday-Marshall shared in her keynote speech, “ collaborating with others who care deeply about our democracy is essential to fulfilling our mission. ” Working together with each other and with communities and coalitions across Oregon, League members continue the vital work to secure the future of our country. While political perils of great magnitude persist, the attitude at the 2025 Convention was one of determination and hope.  Community Partnerships: VOTER GIRL Project In an expansion of partnership, the LWVOR Board recently approved the purchase of the LWVUS-approved VOTER GIRL program for statewide use with all league members. LWV members attend troop meetings and Girl Scout camp events to help troop leaders and train Scouts to earn several types of badges. Girl Scouts can also participate in many different LWV activities and priorities, including with their proprietary version of VOTE411.org   together with their “ Promote the Vote ” national service project. VOTER GIRL is a badge program with age appropriate civics activities and projects for Girl Scouts in K-12 levels developed by LWV Ohio and approved by LWVUS. For more information on VOTER GIRL in Oregon, please watch out for more details in our upcoming monthly newsletter as well as for future outreach to Local Leagues and Units. Advocacy: Lobby Day League of Women Voters of Oregon members were invited to join a Lobby Day event at the Oregon State Capitol on the Friday before the Convention. Lobby Day attendees met with legislators and advocated for the issues the League cares about. League members met legislators virtually via laptop stations at the State Library of Oregon in addition to attending meetings at the Capitol. Jean Pierce, organizer and Action Committee Chair, provided scripts for League members to engage with legislators on a variety of topics. After the interviews, League members gathered at the State Library for hybrid meetings with federal legislators’ staff members. Aides from the offices of Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley spoke to League members about federal legislation impacting Oregon constituents.  Please contact advocacy@lwvor.org  to learn how you can help the League track and advocate for legislation in the following areas. Training is available! League Business: Business Session Summary Proposed Program MOTION to accept 2025 Program: Retain all current positions, including Recall and Childcare. Vote: Passed unanimously  MOTION to adopt consensus study (K-12 Education): Note: There are 30 LWVOR members interested in working on this study, representing every local League. It was suggested that we have a video or other visual aids that can help members understand the process and results when time comes for local Leagues and units to review the study within their membership. Vote: Passed MOTION to accept five concurrences (voting separately): Assessment and High Stakes Testing PA 201 5, Attracting and Supporting Well-qualified Teachers NM 2021 , Charter Schools IL 2015, Civic Education KY 2013, Using Public Funds for Non-Public Schools NJ 1995, 2007 Vote: Passed  Proposed Budget MOTION to amend budget line Class 101, Coalitions, to make the number $950. Vote: Pass unanimously   MOTION  to adopt the 2025-26 Budget, as amended. Vote: Passed unanimously Proposed Bylaws Two motions to amend the proposed 2025 LWVOR Bylaws: Becky Gladstone MOTION  to amend Article VII, Sec 1: Change responsibility for filling a Nominating Committee vacancy to the board. This change will require some Policies and Procedures information to support it about whether the vacancy is for a board or non-board position. Perhaps this whole sentence should go to P&P? Does this apply to a vacant chair or committee member? Nominating Committee Chair is selected by the committee and that selection is not a formal one. Suggested that the wording should include a second by a member of the Nominating Committee.   MOTION  to amend the amendment to read “Any vacancy mid-term on the Nominating Committee shall be filled in accordance with the LWVOR Policies and Procedures.” MOTION to further amend Article III Section 2 and 3 bullet point, (and 11 other related instances): Change the terminology for “non-affiliated” members to more clearly define the group of LWVOR members who belong to neither a local League nor a state unit. The term “non-affiliated” is also used to describe a type of voter registration. We don’t want this to be confused with whether the LWVOR members are affiliated with a political party or not. The intention here is to distinguish between the three different types of members of LWVOR: local League members, state unit members, and those who belong to neither. This is usually because there is no LL or unit available in their region but sometimes it is a personal choice of members to only join the state. MOTION  to amend the current amendment on the floor for Article III Section 2 to define “non-affiliated” members in the text of the 2025 LWVOR Bylaws using this terminology… LWVOR members may belong to local Leagues, state units, or neither . (And to replace the 11 other related instances to reflect that change.) MOTION to adopt the Proposed Bylaws as twice amended. Vote: Passed unanimously Election of Officers and Directors MOTION  to elect officers and directors for 2025-27 as listed in the slate presented by the Nominating Committee. Vote: Passed unanimously Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Renewed Commitment to DEIJ Approved 4/14/25 Shared at Convention by Elizabeth Kirby, Outgoing LWVOR DEIJ Chair As our nation grapples with increasing polarization, including recent executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion, it's natural to feel uncertain about what lies ahead. In 2020, LWVUS renewed its commitment to DEI and continues to stand by that commitment now. LWVUS has made it clear: attacks on DEI are attacks on democracy itself. DEI is not a partisan issue - it is foundational to a representative democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts. The League of Women Voters of Oregon, in alignment with LWVUS, stands ready to support local Leagues and members in their continuing work to promote equity, foster inclusion, and cultivate diverse voices. Although the future may seem murky, our purpose remains bright. Together, we'll continue to uphold our values and carry out the League’s mission of empowering voters and defending democracy - for everyone. Convention 2025: Workshops Six workshops took place at the 2025 LWVOR Convention: Workshop 1:   Future-Proofing The League as organized by LWVOR Youth Council Panel/Presenters Workshop 2:   Oregon’s State Courts: Checks, Balances, and Ethics, presented by Mark Kendall and Amy Vandegrift Workshop 3:   Proposed Study: K-12 Education’s Five Concurrences, presented by Advocacy Chair Jean Pierce Workshop 4:   State Libraries and Our League Partnership, as organized by Alice LaViolette Workshop 5:   Growing Together: Recruiting New Members and Engaging Our Membership. Presented by Joyce Durban, LWV of Deschutes County, and Diana DeMaria, LWVOR Membership Coordinator Workshop 6:   Making the United Nations Part of your Local League Program. Presented by: Robin Tokmakian - LWVUS UN Observer Copies of all the event recordings, including workshops and the Saturday evening speaker, are available in the Event Recording section of the LWVOR website . Convention Highlight: Membership Grants LWVOR was thrilled to announce that the state League initiated a membership dues grant program for the 2025-26 year.  What does this mean?  It means each League will receive a $200 check sent from LWVOR (Units will have $200 in your account in the LWVOR books) to sponsor up to ten league memberships in your community at the minimum $20 pay-what-you-can sliding scale.  This does not mean just students, it can be for anyone who is facing a financial barrier to becoming a member in the League.   We do not need to know their basis of need, just that they are interested.  Recipients will be registered for a one-year annual membership in your League or Unit.  Membership in a local League or Unit includes membership with the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) and the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS). Your $200 will remain with you until used for accessible memberships and Leagues/Units will be reporting to the LWVOR Board in January 2026 and July 2026 on the number of memberships sponsored in each League and Unit. If any League or Unit needs support with media messaging or process, please contact Lindsay LaPlante . Keynote Speaker: Alexis Juday-Marshall League members welcomed Alexis Juday-Marshall to the Convention on Saturday night as the event’s keynote speaker. Juday-Marshall serves as an LWVUS Board Member and liaison to the Oregon Leagues.  Juday-Marshall spoke to Oregon’s strengths in supporting voter service efforts among its constituents, particularly in the areas of redistricting, automatic voter registration, and advocacy for rural and tribal voter participation. In a speech that celebrated Oregon’s successes while also encouraging League members to rise up to the challenge of defending democracy, Juday-Marshall thanked those attending for the work they have been doing and encouraged them to continue forward in the efforts to shape democracy for generations to come. To view the Keynote speech, please click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2025 League of Women Voters of Oregon Urges Guardrails on National Guard Deployments Salem, OR — The League of Women Voters of Oregon has called on the Governor’s office and Attorney General to support improvement to Oregon National Guard procedures. The League has urged lawmakers to examine and support HB 3954, now amended, outlining when the Oregon National Guard can be activated by the Adjutant General. “In light of recent military deployments to U.S. cities, including the use of National Guard troops during peaceful protests, Oregon must act to ensure civilian safety and democratic oversight,” League president Lisa Bentson stated. The League supports policing and military practices that promote public trust, eliminate systemic bias, and ensure community safety.  We have urged lawmakers to look at legislation in other states requiring state-level approval for external Guard deployments. “We need a protective guard rail,” the League emphasized. “This moment appears to be laying the groundwork for more expansive use of the military to suppress dissent—completely unprecedented under any legal authority.” With growing concerns about federal overreach and potential misuse of the Insurrection Act, Oregon must establish clear guardrails. The League affirmed that “a functioning democracy must allow people to hold their government accountable without fear of violence.” Media Contact: Barbara Klein, Communications Chair League of Women Voters of Oregon media@lwvor.org lwvor.org

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Report First Call to Convention Youth Outreach Update Voter Service Update Nominating Committee Program Planning Update Development Update In Memoriam - Willie Richardson PRESIDENT’S REPORT Dear LWVOR Members and supporters, This is my last President’s column for The VOTER. I will complete my second 2-year term this May at our Convention in Eugene. I hope you can join us in-person, our first membership-wide convening since our Centennial Celebration lunch on March 7th, 2020. Our future looks bright! No one asks any more if we are relevant. Come to the Convention to meet each other, for training workshops, and to hear our exceptional speakers. Come and meet our powerful slate of Officers and Directors. Meet your “lateral communication” networks in person! I look forward to seeing you! Our stormy political climate is now much more challenging. MDM, for Mis-, Dis-, and Mal- Information poses a serious threat to our democracy, as we anticipated in our Privacy and Cybersecurity work. Powerfully manipulative AI, artificial Intelligence, is with us on uncertain terms and may further destabilize our political landscape, thinking here of ChatGPT and Google Bard. This is one reason for our Convention theme, Free Press and the Survival of Democracy. When I began as President, I didn’t foresee the SCOTUS Dobbs decision and didn’t expect to be defending our overwhelmingly successful automatic voter registration, Oregon’s #MotorVoter . Now we have grown considerably: Our YO! Youth Outreach is not just promising but already hard at work building a Youth Council, supporting and extending our Student Mock Elections. The Action Committee had five stalwarts when I began on the board as Secretary in June 2011. Now we convene year-round with a network of 30 advocates. Voter Service has grown with virtual outreach, newly adding Vote411.org to this odd-election year, still needing a Chair . Program / Study coverage is under strong leadership. The Membership /HR/ and MLD hats worn by one board member ably have been shared. Our Nominating Committee has stepped up to the “lateral communication” that is strengthening most of our work, from local League Leaders to Treasurers. The LWVOR Nominating Committee Task Force is bringing together voices from across Oregon, with LWVOR Membership guidance. What an intense time this has been. We may find that *human induced climate disruption* has played a part in the COVID pandemic that has both separated us and brought us together virtually. Drought, wildfires, and floods were with us before, but not to this extent. The February “polar vortex”, as I write this, is a recent addition to my lexicon. Our work is more needed than ever! Thank you for helping! Please subscribe and manage your preferences to League communications. Thanks to Office Manager, Abigail Hertzler, for covering as this edition’s VOTER Editor. And Thank You to all of you for carrying part of our League efforts! FIRST CALL TO CONVENTION 2023 CONVENTION Is the biennial State Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Oregon, alternating years with the State Council. First Call is issued so that local Leagues can plan and discuss matters that will be presented at the convention. TIME & PLACE The 2023 State Convention will be held Friday through Sunday, May 19-21, 2023 in Eugene, OR at The Graduate Hotel. HOSTS League of Women Voters of Lane County PURPOSE The convention shall consider changes to the Bylaws; shall consider and authorize for action a program; shall elect the president, first vice-president, secretary, three directors (two-year terms), and a chair and two members of the nominating committee; shall adopt a budget for the ensuing year; and shall transact such other business as may be presented. DELEGATES The convention shall consist of the LWVOR Board of Directors and delegates chosen by members of local Leagues. Each local League shall be entitled to two delegates for the first 40 members or fewer. If possible, one local League delegate should be the President. An additional delegate is allowed for every 20 additional members or major fraction (10 or more) belonging to the local League as of January 31, 2023. Each approved State Unit of members-at-large (MALs) shall be entitled to one delegate. For those MAL’s not in an approved unit, MAL representation at convention shall be one delegate for every 20 MALs or major fraction (10 or more) thereof. If there are fewer than 10 MALs, the interest of the MALs shall be represented by the LWVOR Membership Chair. OBSERVERS Any member of the LWVOR (in a local League, a State Unit, or as a general MAL) may attend as an observer. Observers may not vote, but may, upon recognition of the Chair, have the privilege of the floor. All League members are urged to exercise this privilege, and members are encouraged to register as observers. BASIC COSTS Registration fees will be announced in the next update. Hotel reservations can be made online or by phone: Call 844-888-4723. Use BOOKING CODE: 0519WV. Use this booking link: League of Women Voters of Oregon – Guestrooms YO! YOUTH OUTREACH AND YOUTH COUNCIL WELCOME CHRIS WALKER | LWV of OREGON YOUTH LIAISON We warmly welcome Chris Walker, a sophomore Legislative Scholar at the University of Oregon studying public policy, political science and business management as a LWVOR Member At Large. On Friday, February 10th, he was appointed to a ground-breaking role as a strong, influential voice for the Board as the League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Liaison. Chris feels a definite stake in the commitment of our state and local Leagues to encourage youth leadership, and is mentoring a new LWVOR Youth Council inviting youth across Oregon to get connected and involved by emailing him at youthcrew@lwvor.org or messaging on their Instagram at @lwvoryouthcouncil WELCOME CELINE IOFFE | LWV OF OREGON YOUTH COUNCIL Celine is a high school junior in Portland and LWV Washington County member who is passionate about reproductive justice and our legal system. She is actively involved in Columbia Willamette Teen Council, a peer education and leadership program where members learn medically accurate and inclusive sexual health information, lead classroom presentations and organize events in schools and their communities around sexual health awareness. Celine interned for a DUI and domestic violence law firm last summer, and plans to attend university and law school after graduating in summer of 2024. She will lead a diverse team of Youth Council members to build effective power in their communities to achieve their goals. Spring Special District Elections will be here before we know it. OSME Committee will be offering to customize mock ballots and share supportive materials for any League who wants to offer to their local students. LWVPDX Voter Service Committee Chris Cobey and Mimi Alkire will be trying a new League Neighborhood School Partner program with already designed quarter-sheet postcards with space to add local League contact information. They can share with local Leagues to drop off with key administrative personnel at each school. We view this as a relationship-building connection to strengthen into the 2024 primary and general elections. Please check out the free civic ed curriculum and the mock election webpage at lwvor.org/mock-election and email mockelection@lwvor.org Mimi Alkire, Diana DeMaria and Chris Cobey attended the PNW Junior State of America Winter Congress on Sunday, February 5, 2023 to present LWVOR's 2023 launch of Youth Council to impressive young high school civic leaders from all over Washington and Oregon. We invite any League members interested in Youth Outreach to attend Weekly Wed 8am YO Mtg Link as we are still building our outreach plan, content and contact list to share our expanding resource. Drop by anytime! If not able to attend, please email to connect. LWV of OREGON YOUTH OUTREACH | youthoutreach@lwvor.org OREGON STUDENT MOCK ELECTION (OSME) | mockelection@lwvor.org VOTER SERVICE NEWS General Election 2022 The 2022 midterm election is generally considered a win for democracy in the U.S., and Voter Service volunteers around the state can justifiably feel they were responsible for some of that in Oregon. Nearly 31,000 Oregon voters accessed Vote411 for candidate information, and 25,000 of them received a printed Voter's Guide . Local leagues are increasingly using online technology to inform voters. At least five local leagues produced one-on-one interviews with candidates, available on YouTube and posted to Vote411 and league websites. Candidate forums were also available online for an extended time during the election season. Our long history of giving voters candidates' answers to unbiased questions about important issues continues to pay off in better government for all of us! Special District Election 2023 Odd-numbered election years are often overlooked but School District and Special District Elections that happen in the spring of odd-numbered years elect people to oversee the services and infrastructure that are closest to our everyday lives. These are directors (members of the Boards of Directors) of school districts, fire and emergency services districts, water and public utility districts, park and recreation districts and many more, from Port Districts overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets to tiny road districts serving a few families. They are not part of state, county, or city government, although they are audited by the Secretary of State and must "follow state laws for public meetings, public records, public contracting, bonded debt, and elections"[i]. Not all special districts have elected directors. Some are appointed. The County Commission may serve as the Board in some cases (but the District remains separate from the County). Importantly, almost none of the positions are paid. It's fascinating to me that so much of the business of governments is done by volunteers! The challenge for Voter Service in covering the election of these directors is that, because almost all the positions are unpaid, almost all candidates run unopposed and are not interested in our help in mediating between them and the electorate. Some of the positions, however, particularly for school boards, are becoming more contentious in today's partisan climate. Local league Voter Service leaders have decided that local leagues will decide which local district races will be covered in Vote411 for the May election, although we will make an attempt to cover all school districts throughout the state. [i] "What is a Special District", Special District Association of Oregon, www.sdao.com , accessed 2-26-23. NOMINATING COMMITTEE Your state nominating committee still has LWVOR Board vacancies to fill for this May’s Convention. Please let us know if you are ready to serve or have suggestions for potential nominees. On February 23 there was a meeting for local League representatives discussing successes and challenges in the nominating process. It was a very productive and fun meet up. Another meeting will occur in March. Come join in and see what you missed. Watch for a Doodle poll to choose a date and time. ANNOUNCEMENTS Caring for Our Children March 22, 7:00pm Please register for the Zoom webinar here. Join us for a webinar on the state of child care in Oregon! The topics will include: Why affordable, quality child care is critical for Oregon; challenges and successes of childcare providers; and a report from the nascent Oregon Department of Early Learning and Childcare. Our moderator will be Terry Styner from the League of Women Voters. We are looking forward to an informative panel discussion from our knowledgeable speakers: Martha Brooks , Oregon State Director, Western Region States Regional Director, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids and ReadyNation, Council for a Strong America Julie Hurley , Co-Leader of the Child Care Coalition, Douglas County and Executive Director Early Learning, Douglas ESD and Heather Freilinger, Co-Leader of the Child Care Coalition, Douglas County | Program Coordinator Douglas ESD | Care Connections and Education Program David Mandell , Chief of Policy & Research, Early Learning Division, Oregon Department of Education State Legislator TBD PROGRAM PLANNING 2022 As the LWVOR recently appointed Study Chair, I’m sharing my plan to bring our attention to what causes our league heart …to beat. Our interest in issues leads to League Study which results in writing our positions on issues, ultimately leading to ACTION and ADVOCACY. In the past, the League has encouraged our members to write and present a Study because this is the only way to create issue positions and, thus, the only way we may take action with ONE VOICE! League members pledged 103 years ago to participate in government and defend democracy and to do so ONLY with accurate, balanced, shared, and nonpartisan understanding. That understanding comes from Study that was created by and shared with league members, and with our community and public policy makers in our government. How does Study begin? A local League(s) will identify an issue or topic that is or will be addressed by the government through the creation of public policy, action, or legislation. A study committee forms with a designated leader. A title is declared, a time frame committed to, and ultimately, presentation, and approval for Study by their Board. Once a Study is completed, consensus from members is given, and positions are created, it is archived and reviewed annually, usually in January. These Studies and their positions are neatly stored and accessible on our websites as tools for us to use when taking Action or Advocacy. Local, State, and National Leagues have created Studies and positions. Let’s pause here to recognize that our interests in a particular issue by League individuals or as a group could also result in a white paper or a discussion group or a public forum. We recognize the truth that our eyes, ears, hearts, and brains may hunger for information, yet not always with the ultimate goal being…STUDY. The League encourages interest in various topics and interests, recognizing that the end goal may not be a Study. Study will be an important topic during our LWVOR Convention, May 19-21st . Read the studies and concurrence to be presented to our league delegates on the Convention tab on our website. Please contact me by email or phone if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. Annie Goldner LWVOR Interim Study Chair 541-389-9660 a.goldner@lwvor.org DEVELOPMENT UPDATE We are most grateful for the generous donations we received in January of this year: $1,000 from the Dicentra Fund of Oregon Community Foundation, and $5,000 from Norman Turrill, former president of LWVOR, and one who has a vast understanding of the needs and potential of our League. Thank you! Our outstanding staff is a most important part of our budget, and we could not function as a state League without their availability and professional skills. There are multiple ways you can help sustain the LWVOR operational costs. Convenient monthly giving through your bank’s auto-pay A charitable contribution from your IRA to benefit the LWVOR - tax neutral! A donation in honor or memory of a loved one A bequest to our League - please consult an attorney or estate planning professional Consider legacy giving to build our endowment for increased annual returns Our Youth Outreach (YO) committee is working with Development to apply for a Community Challenge Grant from AARP to enhance civic engagement. Our proposal will be a short-term project in which our Youth Council and senior-aged League members will form a team for an essay-writing contest to be held this fall in selected districts across Oregon. The program is designed to foster intergenerational communication and help amplify the voices of our youth on issues affecting their communities and their future. Jackie Clary, Freddi Weishahn LWVOR Development IN MEMORIAM Marion-Polk welcomed Willie Richardson as a new member of the League of Women Voters in October. From the Statesman Journal: Willie Richardson, a champion for minority education and respected voice for racial equality in Salem for more than four decades, has died. She was 74. Service arrangements are pending. The family told the Statesman Journal it will be open to the public. Richardson in 1987 was the first Black person elected to the Salem-Keizer school board and is the past president of Oregon Black Pioneers, whose board and staff posted condolences on Facebook : "Willie's immeasurable impact on the organization, the city of Salem, and the state of Oregon will be felt for many generations." Salem Art Association also posted condolences and celebrated Richardson's impact on its organization.

All-Members Newsletter - October 2023 Happy October! As we embrace the crisp and colorful Fall season, we are excited for the upcoming local and statewide events that promise to bring us together once again, both in-person and virtually. First up is the LWVOR Fall Workshop on October 7 (details below!). We are renewing our commitment to empowering our communities through voter education activities that will ensure our voices are heard in the 2024 elections. Read on to discover some of the exciting events on the horizon. Upcoming Events Fall Workshop 2023 Register Now Oct 07, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 155 High St, Eugene, OR 97401 Register for virtual tickets by October 6. In-person registration is now closed. Join us in Eugene and online on October 7, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We are excited to bring you this voter education focused event, filled with great guest speakers, new tools for voter outreach in 2024, plans for upcoming Oregon Student Mock Elections, and more! Don't miss our keynote speaker, Molly Woon, Oregon Elections Director and a special workshop hosted by the LWVOR Youth Council on youth voter outreach. We hope you’re able to join us! More Upcoming LWVOR Events Legislative Process Day 2023 Registration open soon Nov 07, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Hybrid Event 250 Winter St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Youth Voter Summit Registration open soon Jan 19, 2024, 10:00 AM Hybrid Event 250 Winter St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Local League Events ⭐Event Highlight: Tour the Oregon Supreme Court Building with the Marion/Polk League From LWV of Marion and Polk Counties: "Join us on Thursday, October 19, to tour the Oregon Supreme Court Building. We haven’t received confirmation of the time yet. The tour will last about 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours and will require standing, although there will be chairs available when we are in the courtroom. Paid parking is available along State St. If the weather is nice, we will also visit the Women’s Suffrage memorial in Willson Park, about ½ block from the Supreme Court Building. At our get-together at Willamette Mission State Park, 10 members signed up to go on the tour. We have space for 10 more. The 119-year-old building is one of the state’s oldest continuously operating government buildings. To preserve the three-story structure and its historic features, the building recently went through a seismic retrofit. It features terra cotta, marble, and mahogany, with classical detailing, a grand staircase, and stained-glass lighting in the courtroom. We will learn what changes have been made, see the Percent for Art installation and hear about the workings of Oregon’s appellate court system." ⭐Event Highlight: National Voter Registration Day (9/19) at Rose Haven Women’s Shelter By LWVPDX Voter Service Chair Chris Cobey LWVPDX celebrated National Voter Registration Day (September 19) at Rose Haven, a Portland women’s shelter, where we registered voters, distributed voter registration forms to women who wanted to register later, answered questions about voting and upcoming elections, and provided links to information on Portland’s new government and online voter registration. We averaged a new paper voter registration every 15 minutes -- a robust rate of public voter registration in a period of no imminent elections! As a result of this activity, we have learned of and received inquiries from Rose Haven's youth outreach group, have provided additional information to them, and look forward to including them in future LWVPDX-Rose Haven on-site voter registration events. More Upcoming Local League Events Local League events coming up in the next few weeks. Have events to add? Please send them to us at lwvor@lwvor.org : ⭐LWV of Coos County September Voter Registration Stations Tuesday, October 10, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm - Coos Bay Public Library ⭐LWV of Deschutes County DEIJ Discussion Group: Do the Work Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm ⭐LWV of Marion and Polk Counties Fall Membership Get-Together Thursday, October 12, 10 am - Tea & Talk - Taproot Old Mill Cafe Wednesday, October 18, 7 pm - Being Nonpartisan - Zoom Link here ⭐LWV of Lane County Annual Fall Luncheon Thursday, October 19, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm - The Shedd Institute, Eugene Oregon 97401 ⭐LWV of Portland Programs/Events – Free and Open to the Public October 11, 2023, via Zoom, panel discussion on progress in creating a Community Board for Police Accountability ⭐LWV of Umpqua Valley A Year of Education Events Tuesday, October 17 – Sarah McGregor, the Feeding Umpqua Program Manager at UCAN, will teach us about efforts to alleviate hunger in our communities and how we can help. Tuesday, November 14 – Thomas McGregor, Executive Director of Phoenix Charter School, will inspire us with “2031: Let’s Define the Future for East Roseburg”. Phoenix turns 50 in 2031. How can we help dream, develop, and actively create what the community wants Phoenix to be on its 50th birthday? Register for Member Section The new LWVOR website features an improved Member’s Section including an exclusive Member’s Forum, where League members can engage in discussions on a variety of topics: Voter Service, Communications, DEIJ, Membership, and more. We’re adding new topics all the time, so please feel free to explore what is there and suggest new topics if you see a need. 👉 Register to Access LWVOR.org Member’s Section We welcome all current League members to join the forum and check it out! It is a great place to share ideas, links, resources, and anything you think your fellow League members will find useful. Please contact s.andrews@lwvor.org with any questions about getting started. Volunteers Needed LWVOR Board Opportunities Voter Services Chair Welcome our LWVOR Voter Service leads: Abigail Bok (Vote411), Marianne Germond (Voter’s Guides), and Peggy Bengry (State Ballot Measures). LWVOR is still looking for a Voter Service Chair to represent this work as a liaison to the LWVOR board. With the reduction of work off the shoulders of the VS Chair into these other lead positions, the VS Chair will be able to activate, coordinate, and manage the various efforts to closure across Voter Services each year. Read the full position description here . League Voter Services makes election information available to the public to encourage citizen participation in government. The Chair inspires Voter Service volunteers and dedicated professionals to produce clear, unbiased information for tens of thousands of Oregon voters. The VS Chair directly contributes to making democracy work. Please contact us at nominating@lwvor.org or lwvor@lwvor.org if you are interested in the VS Chair role. Advocacy Team Opportunities Natural Resources What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. The 2023 legislative session is over, but 2024 is just around the corner. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator. Training will be offered. Dept of Environmental Quality Air Quality Programs Dept of Environmental Quality Land Quality Programs Dept of Environmental Quality Recycling and Waste Prevention Dept of Land Conservation and Development Coastal Programs Dept. of Agriculture Programs (any or all) Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Programs (any or all) Columbia River Gorge Commission Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries Oregon Marine Board Oregon Dept. of Parks and Recreation Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Climate Emergency Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA (Oregon Dept. of Agriculture) Transportation, I-5 Bridge and ODOT state agency Environment/Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA, Oregon Health Authority) Regional Solutions/Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Please contact us at lwvor@lwvor.org if you are interested in helping out in any of these areas. Social Policy Human rights Immigration, Refugee & Asylum Seekers/Migrants GLBTQ+ Basic Human Needs Please contact us at lwvor@lwvor.org if you are interested in helping out in any of these areas. DEIJ: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Toolkit for local Leagues LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ Chair Deenie Bulyalert and LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ mentor Elizabeth Kirby have produced a DEIJ Toolkit for League members! This Toolkit is a collection of resources and tools to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in your organization and community. You can find it linked in the Knowledge Base in the Member's Section of the website. Once you've clicked on the Toolkit link be sure to check out the READ ME document first to get a snapshot view of all of the enclosed folders. If you're looking for a good place to start, feel free to check out pronouns.org , where you can learn about personal pronouns and why they matter. Please reach out to Elizabeth at deij@lwvor.org if you have any questions! Youth Outreach Update LWVUS Mobilizing Young Voter Pilot Program Launch Nile Blass, LWVUS DMV Community Organizer, is thrilled to announce the Young Voter Pilot Program is officially launching. Over the coming weeks and months, you can anticipate a wide array of updates, resources, and supplementary materials designed to support our young voter outreach initiatives. We have a lineup of workshops, training sessions, and special speaker events in the pipeline, and we are committed to making these accessible both virtually and in person whenever possible. To keep you in the loop, LWVUS will feature these special programming updates in the monthly League Update, on LWV's event website, and across various LWV informational forums. Thank you once again for your commitment to this important cause. Email Nile at nblass@lwv.org to request your email be added to the listserv, and make sure to sign up for LWVUS League Updates at lwv.org ! Membership Update Everyone is invited to drop in to the Membership and DEIJ Special Interest Group Wednesday, October 11⋅1:00 – 2:00pm Meets Monthly on second Wednesdays Join Zoom Meeting This month's meeting will begin with an interactive tour of the LWVOR website functionality by LWVOR Digital Director Sarah Andrews, including the members only side, and how to sign up for newsletters and Forums. The next topic is discussion with local League examples and ideas from around the state for new member orientation since the pandemic, a question submitted by LWV of Corvallis member Laura Evenson. Diana DeMaria is interim LWVOR Membership for Lisa Bentson, who has stepped up to co-President our state league while the nominating committee works on Board vacancies. Count on LWVOR Membership as a local League resource! Diana DeMaria (she/her-- Why do pronouns matter? ) call/text 503.319.8601 Interim Membership Chair membership@lwvor.org Recommended Reading From LWVOR Advocacy Chair, Becky Gladstone: This month's book is THE HANK SHOW , about Hank Asher, “the pioneering computer programmer known as the father of data fusion”. This new-release is timely, coming shortly after Oregon’s first in the nation Data Broker Registry signing, HB 2052 Enrolled (2023) . Here's LWVOR testimony . The author, McKenzie Funk, is from Oregon. We cited his 2016 NYTs Magazine article, Should We See Everything a Cop Sees? in our Privacy & Cybersecurity study and alluded to in LWVOR public records advocacy. The official release date is October 3 and it can pre-ordered through Bookshop.org , for delivery to your favorite independent local bookstore -check for your favorite! The freely shared advance excerpt , The Man Who Trapped Us in Databases , was in the Sept 24 NYTs Magazine. From the author, McKenzie Funk: “Recently, I spent a half-decade writing a book. It’s called The Hank Show . As you can imagine, it’s about a guy named Hank—in this case the pioneering data broker and onetime cocaine smuggler Hank Asher. It’s sort of about him, at least. I always told myself it was really about what he left behind for us when he died in 2013: hidden tracking numbers that will stalk each of us for the entirety of our adult lives. Data and database systems that still course through the computers of the FBI, the IRS, the CIA, and ICE and through most American police departments, most Fortune 500 companies, and most of the world’s biggest banks. Digital dossiers that increasingly determine who among us gets loans, who gets insurance, who gets job offers, who gets arrested, who gets deported, who gets what healthcare, who gets ahead in life, and who’s left behind.”

Dear LWVOR Members and friends, Here’s to celebrating April, everyone! As we look forward to our LWVOR 2023 Convention in Eugene, May 19-21, I am also looking back to my first April as President, in 2020, when we were just beginning to face COVID’s public health implications for the League. We met with LWVUS to advise on “social distancing” with Oregon Vote-by-Mail and we were writing ZOOM how-tos. We were using our new Privacy and Cybersecurity position in the Legislature and wondering how COVID might affect our 100th Anniversary plans for events all around the state, the issue forums, the suffrage quilt competitions, the parades, and all of our general operations. Now we have our work cut out for us to defend legislation accomplishments, newly resurfacing repression, pushing us to reach for reinforcements. Our membership and YO! Youth Outreach efforts are truly promising. Let’s welcome and mentor them! The League is all about citizen engagement and civic education. As Thos Paine said, “Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!” Now it is time to prepare for your own Certified League Member status, renewable for free, every April 1st. To prepare, you can you can use this Legislative Glossary to study, thanks to the Oregon State Legislature website. We recommend you Review Our History: What makes the League Special? For extra credit, read this newsletter and find more ways you can help! Your help as a committee member can make a board member’s work realistically manageable. See you at Convention? I hope so! Thank you for being part of the team by reading and helping as you are able! Yours In League, Becky Gladstone LWVOR President _________________________________________________ Here’s an overview: Second call to LWVOR CONVENTION, in Eugene, May 19-21, 2023 Nominating Committee – see gaps Voter Service news, Spring primary Vote411 & OSME Youth Outreach, OSME wrap, moving forward! Action, legislative update Announcements Recommended reading SECOND CALL TO CONVENTION The biennial State Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Oregon is held on alternate years to the State Council. First Call is issued so that local Leagues can begin to plan and discuss matters that will be presented at the convention. TIME & PLACE The 2023 State Convention will be held Friday through Sunday, May 19-21, 2023, in Eugene, OR at The Graduate Hotel. HOSTS League of Women Voters of Lane County PURPOSE The convention shall consider changes to Bylaws; shall consider and authorize for action a program; shall elect the president, first vice-president, secretary, three directors (two-year terms), and a chair and two members of the nominating committee; shall adopt a budget for the ensuing year; and shall transact such other business as may be presented. DELEGATES The convention shall consist of the LWVOR Board of Directors and delegates chosen by members through the local Leagues. Each local League shall be entitled to two delegates for the first 40 members or fewer. If possible, one delegate should be the President. An additional delegate is allowed for every 20 additional members or major fraction (10 or more) thereof belonging to the local League as of January 31, 2023. Each approved State Unit of members-at-large (MALs) shall be entitled to one delegate. For those MAL’s not in an approved unit, MAL representation at convention shall be one delegate for every 20 MALs or major fraction (10 or more) thereof. If there are fewer than 10 MALs, the interest of the MALs shall be represented by the LWVOR Membership Chair. OBSERVERS Any member of the LWVOR (in a local League, a State Unit, or as a general MAL) may attend as an observer. Observers may not vote, but may, upon recognition of the Chair, have the privilege of the floor. All League members are urged to exercise this privilege, and members are encouraged to register as observers. Make your Hotel reservations: Call 844-888-4723. Use BOOKING CODE: 0519WV. Use this booking link: League of Women Voters of Oregon – Guestrooms The cutoff date to book rooms at the discounted group rate is April 28th. Act quickly to book yours! NOMINATING COMMITTEE NO NOMINEES? MLD coaching to the rescue! THE MLD RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Identify your strengths, evaluate your assets, focus on our League values: What is it that only the League can do? Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) was introduced to our LWVOR by the LWVUS at the Oregon State Coaches’ Training in 2012. One of our MLD state coaches just happens to be a co-chair of our nominating committee, and her training led to the solution: apply an intentional combination of our LWVOR leadership’s willingness to serve with our bylaws to meet the challenge. Alice Bartelt, 2nd VP, stepped up and accepted responsibility to be President, recognizing the bylaws provision for an executive committee to guide the board through this challenge. Lisa Bentson, our Board Director in charge of Membership, volunteered to become 1st VP and add Events to her portfolio while retaining Membership. Becky Gladstone, who had dreams for the LWVOR during her terms as President, but was confronted with the impact of Covid, found a way to stay for one more year, filling Alice’s second year of her position as 2nd VP and providing a means to maintain the Action portfolio with the needed strong leadership until June 2024. The current board vacancies are an extraordinary opportunity FOR YOU as a member to experience working with dedicated and inspirational leaders to complete the leadership team for the coming year! Don’t hesitate – join Alice in the Adventure and experience what Wonderland is really like! PROPOSED SLATE OF NOMINEES for two-year terms : President: Alice Bartelt (Washington Co. Unit) First Vice President: Lisa Bentson (Lincoln Co.) Events, Membership, and HR Secretary: Mimi Alkire (Portland) Members of the Board of Directors: Annie Goldner (Deschutes Co.) Program Jackie Clary (Coos Co.) Development Chair Freddi Weishahn (Lane Co.) Development Nominating Committee Chair (off-board) Betty Coe De Broekert (Lane Co.) Nominating Committee Members (off-board) Judy Froemke (Portland), Jeanne Taylor (Lane Co.) Officers continuing or changing position on Board through 2024 to complete a second year of term: Second Vice President: Becky Gladstone (Lane Co.) Action Treasurer: Kermit Yensen (Deschutes Co.) Board of Directors: Filling 3 vacancies through 2024 to complete second year of term: Voter Editor: Jim Buck (Rogue Valley) Vacant: Two additional Board Directors are needed now to complete the 2023-24 slate Off-Board chairs: Budget Chair: Kathleen Hersh (Washington Co. unit) MLD Chair: Kathleen Hersh (Washington Co. unit) Youth Outreach: Diana DeMaria (Clackamas Co.) Youth Liaison: Chris Walker (MAL) BOARD VACANCIES: Board of Director Portfolios represent areas of work that need to be covered, sometimes with an off- board chair. Portfolios currently vacant are: Voter Education/Voter Service Chair. Also needed are assistance with Events, Membership, Action, Voter Education/Voter Service and TBD. If you or someone you know would be a good fit for one of these vacant positions please let the LWVOR nominating committee know. VOTER SERVICE Thanks to our strong local League network and Chair Peggy Bengry, Voter Service is gathering candidate and local ballot measure information for the May 16, 2023 primary election! Next we look forward to gearing up for the So Important 2024 Elections! We need your help and now is the time to learn the ropes! Contact Peggy to help now, contact the Nominating Committee (above), or ask our staff, lwvor@lwvor.org . YOUTH OUTREACH The Youth Outreach Committee meets weekly and is running a Student Mock Election this spring, focusing on the Portland area. The new Youth Council is establishing parameters and adding members. See details for the LWVOR Youth Liaison, Chris Walker, and Youth Council supporting the Student Mock Election, led by Celine Ioffe, in the March newsletter and in the VOTER, both in our Newsroom . ⭐ To help develop an active Student Mock Election presence in your local schools, contact: LWV of OREGON YOUTH OUTREACH | youthoutreach@lwvor.org OREGON STUDENT MOCK ELECTION (OSME) | mockelection@lwvor.org ACTION We have completed week 11 (out of 24) of the 2023 long Legislative session. Limited bill introductions are still being seen, to Rules and Ways and Means Committees. Watch for Action Alerts by email, on relatively short notice, please! We have reviewed and approved almost 130 testimonies submitted so far. Subscribe for the weekly briefs linking to full Legislative Reports in our Newsroom ! ⭐ Action can use all kinds of help. If you can help, please contact our staff, lwvor@lwvor.org . 📣 SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE ROADSHOW The Oregon Legislature announced this session’s set of hearings away from the capital sponsored by the Ways and Means Committee. They will be asking for input on the budget and, except for the last one in the capital, they will be in person only. They would like to hear from everyone. Save the date for the one nearest you. Saturday, April 8, 2023 o 10:00 AM Portland Friday, April 14th o 5:00 PM Newport Friday, April 21st o 5:00 PM, Roseburg Friday, April 28th o 5:00 PM Ontario Wednesday, May 3rd o 5:00 PM Salem at the capital REDISTRICTING The People Not Politicians campaign is back with Initiative Petition 14, which would create an independent commission to draw Oregon legislative districts. This effort is supported by a broad coalition including the League, Common Cause, Forward Oregon, business groups, and many everyday Oregonians. This good governance effort needs our support! This effort is large, and every volunteer will be needed to collect signatures and to database those signatures. Sign up to help here , and donate here . Download the signature petition . Contact Betsy Schultz for further information. Stay informed on League happenings at the state and local levels! You can sign up and manage your LWVOR newsletter subscriptions directly. Don't miss our event updates, Action Alerts, newsletters, and other important information. Questions? Contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org . ANNOUNCEMENTS 📣 Caring For Oregon's Children See Caring for Oregon’s Children , a webinar from March 22, 2023, with thanks to the LWVOR Study Committee for bringing experts together to discuss issues and answer questions. 📣 Spring Clean & Affordable Energy Conference , 2023 This information comes from the NorthWest Energy Coalition. LWVOR is a member and attends quarterly regional meetings. We're excited to have Sonia Aggarwal as our keynote speaker! Sonia is the CEO of Energy Innovation and formerly with the Biden Administration, serving through the development, passage, and initial implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. 📣 Let’s Talk About: Digital Threats to Democracy **This is the Reading Recommendation for this month, see below for the prep link! To prepare for Dr. O’Neil’s talk, visit her blog, Mathbabe . From LWV Maine, LWVME in partnership with LWVAK has been presenting this (mostly) monthly discussion series, and the one coming up for April promises to be one of the best ones yet. I hope you will share this invitation with friends and colleagues in your state. Best, Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine 📣 What are Algorithms? And are They Undermining Our Free Will? Hosted on Zoom. Register now for this important conversation Computer algorithms are manipulating us all the time, whether we know it or not. They determine what social media content and search results we see. They may impact our buying decisions, and they may also push us toward disinformation and conspiracy theories. Join us for a conversation with Cathy O’Neil, a leading expert on algorithms and the CEO of ORCAA, an algorithmic auditing company. Please share this invitation with anyone you think might be interested. Register here . RECOMMENDED READING Weapons of Math Destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy Cathy O’Neil earned a Ph.D. in math from Harvard and worked as a math professor at Barnard College before switching over to the private sector, working as a quant for the hedge fund D.E. Shaw and as a data scientist in the New York startup scene. She is a regular contributor to Bloomberg Opinion and in 2016 wrote the book Weapons of Math Destruction: how big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. She is the CEO of ORCAA , an algorithmic auditing company, and is a member of the Public Interest Tech Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School. She is the author of Weapons of Math Destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy . Her new book The Shame Machine: who profits in the new age of humiliation came out in March 2022. My best to all of you. I look forward to seeing you at Convention! Step up, we welcome you! It is your turn. Thank You for reading and be sure to smell the flowers. Becky Gladstone President, LWVOR

All-Members Newsletter - September 19, 2023 Yesterday (September 19) was National Voter Registration Day! We don’t need to remind you to take 30 seconds to register to vote or check your registration status at oregonvotes.gov. But maybe some outreach tools would be helpful? Find all the content you need to spread the #NationalVoterRegistrationDay news in the NVRD Vote Ready Social Hub . Click through the tabs near the middle of the page for Voter Registration Reminder Graphics, #VoteReady Memes, Infographics, and more. Co-President’s Message Dear Members and Friends, Please pardon the scheduling hiccup as we resume with first-of-the-month news, adapting to sharing Co-Presidency. We will highlight more committee and local League news features. Please let us know what you appreciate reading and want to hear more about! Suggestions can be sent to lwvor@lwvor.org . Here’s to pulling together to accomplish so much more! Lisa Bentson and Rebecca Gladstone, LWVOR Co-Presidents Upcoming Events Fall Workshop 2023 Register Now Oct 07, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 155 High St, Eugene, OR 97401 This 2024 Election Season League Voter Service Event is open to League members and the public for in-person or virtual hybrid participation. Invite your friends and family for a great lineup! On the agenda: League In Action/Outreach Circle Presentation (LWVUS is funding this expensive voter and community outreach tool, so FREE to us!) Download the app to your desktop computer and phone to start learning and using the call to action and other features for member communication. Keynote Speaker: Elections Director Molly Woon Oregon Student Mock Election (OSME) LWVOR Coordinator: Mimi Alkire on Spring 2024 Primary Election school involvement in local League community activities and Civics Learning Project collaboration. Email mockelection@lwvor.org if you can help update your local area school contacts to get ready for Spring 2024 OSME! Youth Council: Overview, DEIJ Resources and Social Media Strategies for local League Young Voter Outreach plus Social Media workshop schedule for later October. Meet the Youth Council . Looking to book a LWVOR Youth Council Member at a meeting or event? Book a speaker here . Plus special guest speakers and a boxed lunch. Promo available - bring your friends! We are offering a promotional ticket rate for League members and their non-League guests! Bring a friend who is not a current League member and your tickets will be $20 each. Please email lwvor@lwvor.org with the name and contact email of your non-League member. You need to email for the code prior to your ticket purchase, then use the registration code we email you when purchasing your tickets. Promo codes are limited to two tickets at $20 each with a member purchasing the tickets for both individuals. More Upcoming LWVOR Events Legislative Process Day 2023 Registration open soon Nov 07, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Hybrid Event 250 Winter St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Youth Voter Summit Registration open soon Jan 19, 2024, 10:00 AM Hybrid Event 250 Winter St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Local League Events Local League events coming up in the next few weeks. Have events to add? Please send them to us at lwvor@lwvor.org : ⭐LWV of Coos County September Voter Registration Stations Wednesday, September 20 - Coos Bay Visitor Center, 50 Central Ave., Coos Bay Friday, September 22 - Bandon Farmer's Market, Farm & Sea, 250 1st St. SW, Bandon Saturday, September 23 - Myrtle Point Harvest Festival, Downtown Myrtle Point ⭐LWV of Deschutes County DEIJ Discussion Group: Do the Work Tuesday, September 26, 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Zoom ⭐LWV of Marion and Polk Counties Fall Membership Get-Together Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. - noon - Willamette Mission State Park. Coffee, tea & finger food will be provided. Please RSVP to Amy Vandegrift, 503-364-0492. ⭐LWV of Lane County Annual Fall Luncheon Thursday, October 19, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm - The Shedd Institute, Eugene Oregon 97401 ⭐LWV of Portland Programs/Events – Free and Open to the Public September 19, via Zoom, Portland is Changing! Charter Implementation Successes and Challenges October 11, 2023, via Zoom, panel discussion on progress in creating a Community Board for Police Accountability ⭐LWV of Umpqua Valley A Year of Education Events Tuesday, September 19 – Jared Cordon, Superintendent of Roseburg Public Schools, will speak about the state of our schools, a vision for the future, and how our community can support the best for our students. Tuesday, October 17 – Sarah McGregor, the Feeding Umpqua Program Manager at UCAN, will teach us about efforts to alleviate hunger in our communities and how we can help. Tuesday, November 14 – Thomas McGregor, Executive Director of Phoenix Charter School, will inspire us with “2031: Let’s Define the Future for East Roseburg”. Phoenix turns 50 in 2031. How can we help dream, develop, and actively create what the community wants Phoenix to be on its 50th birthday? Register for Member Section The new LWVOR website features an improved Member’s Section including an exclusive Member’s Forum, where League members can engage in discussions on a variety of topics: Voter Service, Communications, DEIJ, Membership, and more. We’re adding new topics all the time, so please feel free to explore what is there and suggest new topics if you see a need. 👉 Register to Access LWVOR.org Member’s Section We welcome all current League members to join the forum and check it out! It is a great place to share ideas, links, resources, and anything you think your fellow League members will find useful. Please contact s.andrews@lwvor.org with any questions about getting started. Volunteers Needed LWVOR Board Opportunities Voter Services Chair Welcome our LWVOR Voter Service leads: Abigail Bok (Vote411), Marianne Germond (Voter’s Guides), and Peggy Bengry (State Ballot Measures). LWVOR is still looking for a Voter Service Chair to represent this work as a liaison to the LWVOR board. With the reduction of work off the shoulders of the VS Chair into these other lead positions, the VS Chair will be able to activate, coordinate, and manage the various efforts to closure across Voter Services each year. Read the full position description here . League Voter Services makes election information available to the public to encourage citizen participation in government. The Chair inspires Voter Service volunteers and dedicated professionals to produce clear, unbiased information for tens of thousands of Oregon voters. The VS Chair directly contributes to making democracy work. Please contact us at nominating@lwvor.org or lwvor@lwvor.org if you are interested in the VS Chair role. Advocacy Team Opportunities Natural Resources What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. The 2023 legislative session is over, but 2024 is just around the corner. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator. Training will be offered. Climate Emergency Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA (Oregon Dept. of Agriculture) Transportation, I-5 Bridge and ODOT state agency Environment/Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA, Oregon Health Authority) Regional Solutions/Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Please contact us at lwvor@lwvor.org if you are interested in helping out in any of these areas. Social Policy Human rights Immigration, Refugee & Asylum Seekers/Migrants GLBTQ+ Basic Human Needs Please contact us at lwvor@lwvor.org if you are interested in helping out in any of these areas. DEIJ: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Toolkit for local Leagues LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ Chair Deenie Bulyalert and LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ mentor Elizabeth Kirby have produced a DEIJ Toolkit for League members! This Toolkit is a collection of resources and tools to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in your organization and community. You can find it linked in the Knowledge Base in the Member's Section of the website. Once you've clicked on the Toolkit link be sure to check out the READ ME document first to get a snapshot view of all of the enclosed folders. If you're looking for a good place to start, feel free to check out pronouns.org , where you can learn about personal pronouns and why they matter. Please reach out to Elizabeth at deij@lwvor.org if you have any questions! Youth Outreach: Youth Civic Leadership Opportunities Members of the LWVOR Youth Council attended the Convention in May. We believe the promotion of democracy relies on organizations with similar goals working together to share ideas and resources. Each month beginning October 1st we will share opportunities for young people across Oregon from LWVOR and other great organizations to increase intergenerational civic involvement in our communities. Please email youthoutreach@lwvor.org to contribute great ideas, requests, and to stay informed. Oregon’s Electronic Portal Advisory Board (EPAB) News A CYBER alert from Oregon’s Electronic Portal Advisory Board . Do not give your personal information to anyone who calls you. They may spoof your caller ID as official government agencies or as our merchants, with their actual names and phone numbers showing on your phone. State agencies are seeing increasing “ authorization testing fraud ” in the last few months, where bad actors call, claiming they are trying to verify stolen credit card information. The defensive push now is to help various agencies understand and address needed measures. They explain that this is not a breach of state systems & data, per se. These people use other websites, passing data on to third party fraudsters or actually working on the fraud themselves. This is being seen not only by our state agencies and state portals but also by many merchants, now collaborating to mitigate these threats, and building higher walls to keep fraudsters out. Did you know that LWVOR advocates are appointed to state groups? The League is represented in the EPAB ( roster ) and the DWAC, Drinking Water Advisory Committee ( members ). Our LWVOR Advocacy Team welcomes your help, meeting year-round, including for Cybersecurity and Privacy legislation. Recommended Reading Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome – America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing Our September Recommended Reading is from UO Professor Randall Blazak, required reading every term for his classes. He is Chair of the Oregon Coalition Against Hate Crimes and LWVOR is an attending member. In Memoriam: Alice Bartelt We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear colleague, Alice Bartelt, who has been President since May 2023 and long-standing Action Chair, trusted informally as Parliamentarian for the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Lisa Bentson, our First Vice President, and Rebecca Gladstone, Second Vice President, are Acting Co-Presidents of the League of Women Voters of Oregon until a replacement is found. Please contact lwvor@lwvor.org with any questions or messages you would like to share. A Celebration of Life for Alice Bartelt has been set for 4pm October 13. Responses from members (More can be read on our website ): I knew Alice as a dedicated, knowledgeable, respectful, and generous League leader. She was committed to helping the Oregon League achieve its advocacy priorities. She also kindly shared her time and expertise to serve as a parliamentarian and a speaker for local Leagues as well as LWVOR. Her death is a sad loss for all of us who knew her and who benefited from her service to the League and to Oregon. -Margaret Noel Alice was a model for many of us. She could be responsible to groups, keeping up with her political commitments, but also keep an individual life. She could be generous and kind, and also keep things in order with Robert’s Rules. One of the lights in the room we were blessed to know. -Jody Wiser My deepest sympathies on losing Alice. She was a guiding light in our League as Chair of the LWVOR Action Committee and newly elected President. Her contributions and work ethic were an inspiration to us all. It was an honor to be a member under her leadership in the state Action Committee. She was a remarkable woman and her work will live on both in the League and in our hearts. My sincere condolences, she will be dearly missed. -Nancy Donovan, member of the LWVOR Action Committee, and Chair of the LWVPDX Education Committee

Dear Friend, Welcome to our Fall Voter Newsletter! Read on to learn about our youth-led efforts to empower the next generation of voters through a series of dynamic youth voter service events, plus opportunities to get involved in impactful initiatives that will shape the future of our communities in Oregon. LWVOR Advocacy Fund Promotes Both IP 14 and IP 9 By Norman Turrill, President, LWV of Oregon Advocacy Fund The LWVOR has endorsed both Initiative Petition 14 (IP 14) and Initiative Petition 9 (IP 9). IP 14 would end gerrymandering in Oregon by creating an independent redistricting. You can learn more about IP 14 by going to the People Not Politicians (PNP) website. IP 9 would end big money dominating candidate campaigns in Oregon by setting strict contribution limits and revealing dark money sponsors of campaign advertising. You can learn more about IP 9 by going to the Honest Elections website . To qualify for the 2024 general election ballot, IP 14 must collect some 160,000 valid voter signatures by July 5, 2024, less than a year from now. IP 9, because it is a statutory measure, must collect some 120,000 signatures by the same deadline. This signature gathering phase is well underway. These petitions will accomplish their goals next year with your help, provided that they have more petition circulators and more money . The LWVOR Advocacy Fund is now organizing county coordinators who will identify volunteer petitioners and send them to events like street fairs and markets where many people gather. Please volunteer at a link below if you would like to help. Also, you may now download and print your own IP 14 petitions by carefully following the instructions here . If you will be petitioning in public, then you must also print and carry a complete copy of the IP 14 text . You know the drill to have an initiative succeed in Oregon: • volunteers and more volunteers • gathering of qualifying signatures by circulators • signature validators (at home and online!) • donors! PNP is a broad coalition of organizations covering the whole political spectrum. The coalition organizations comprise together some 400,000 members. If each of these members just downloads, prints, signs and returns a petition with their family and friends, then IP 14 would have more than enough signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot! Do that today! Recall Study Team Opportunity by Annie Goldner, LWVOR Issue Positions Director LWVOR 2023 Convention delegates voted to undertake a study on recall elections. LWV of Lane County proposed the two-year project, and now works with LWVOR support and resources. Why do we want to study recall elections? A recall election enables voters to remove an elected official from office through a referendum before the official's term of office has ended. LWV Oregon supports the recall process as provided in the Oregon Constitution. However, the studies leading to our position on Initiative, Referendum, and Recall (Adopted 1988; Revised 1996; Educational Update 2001) did not specifically examine the recall process itself. This means we are not able to weigh in on whether or not the process is working as it should. The state-mandated timeline for recall elections has implications for voter education and turnout, which directly ties into the League’s goal of protecting and expanding voting rights to ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. How will we work on this issue? There will be small tasks and larger ones, including: Research relevant League positions and actions in Oregon and across the country Research the history of recall in Oregon. Survey articles and research by legal and policy organizations focused on democratic processes. Interview election officials and topic experts. Discuss and learn with League colleagues. Synthesize, write, and edit results. Becoming part of a study committee is a great way to learn about an issue, gain a better understanding of League process, and make a positive difference. We hope you will consider joining the folks below in this effort and they will help you find a right-sized task. Contact Keli Osborn to join the team. Youth Council Spotlight: Chris Walker By Chris Walker, League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Council Vice President and Off-Board Liaison I’ve just finished my internship in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it is a wonderful opportunity for civic-minded youth. My experience with the League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Council helped prepare me for the role by inspiring me to think critically about why people, especially young people, vote or care about politics. Also, it has made me care even more about Oregon voters, who I was delighted to hear from while interning. My tasks included: Answering constituent calls, hearing the important beliefs, opinions, and questions of the district's constituents. Attending briefings and writing up memos that are used by members of the office for forming policy. Performing outreach for bills and letters— calling up other offices and sending emails to do so. Guiding tours for people living in the congressperson's district who were visiting. I showed the capital building, one of the beautiful centers of American democracy. Becoming familiar with Microsoft Office - which really, I had not used very often before my internship. Learning all I could (everyday, full time). Thank you for your support of the Youth Council! OSME Update for October 2023 We are excited to share that the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) will be hosting Oregon Student Mock Election (OSME) for both the May Primary and November General Elections in 2024. The League is partnering with educators across the state to provide nonpartisan information and materials, giving students a greater understanding of participation in the Oregon electoral process, now and in the future. OSME helps students recognize the real world relevance of civics education. Are you interested in helping us contact educators in your area? Can you help us find civic education volunteers in your area? Email mockelection@lwvor.org . Since spring school schedules always fill up quickly, we ask that you mark your calendars with these important dates and deadlines for the upcoming May 2024 OSME: Monday, April 8 – OSME registration begins Tuesday, April 30 – Last day to register to vote in the Oregon Primary Election Tuesday, May 5-10 – Student Mock Election Week Friday, May 17 – OSME results released to the public Tuesday, May 21 – Oregon Primary Election Day Please share them with potential participating educators along with the following information: On the LWVOR.org website, educators can access the free, year-round, and award-winning Civics Education Curriculum. In addition, we will provide the following two lesson plans, which are specifically relevant to the 2024 May Primary: Parties and Primaries – Introduce your students to each of the 10 recognized Oregon parties and help them understand the impact of a closed primary on minor-party voters. Ranked-Choice-Voting (RCV) – Introduce your students to the process of RCV. This is appropriate for students in either social studies or math classes (requires an understanding of using percentages). The lessons include several suggestions for classroom activities, many links to resources, and information about how to prepare students for the election. We are looking for LWV members across the state to put us in contact with classroom teachers and administrators, both public/private and middle/high schools, along with charter school and homeschool educators. We need a name and email address for a contact person in each school and they need to have ours. If you are able to drop off materials to local schools, we will provide you with flyers to take to schools, along with information for how they can register their students for the mock election. October 7 Fall Workshop Youth Council Panel Presentation By Diana DeMaria, LWVOR Youth Outreach Director Email Diana DeMaria at youthoutreach @ lwvor.org to be added to the local League contact listserv, request printable materials for your voter registration activities or newsletter articles, and be invited to drop in on youth outreach meetings when your schedule permits. Review this year’s Youth Council Panel slideshow here on our Fall Workshop resources page . Meet the Youth Council . Looking to book a LWVOR Youth Council Member at a meeting or event? Book a speaker here . LWVOR Events: Fall Workshop The League of Women Voters of Oregon held its first hybrid Fall Workshop event on the first Saturday in October. This Voter Service-oriented event was held to prepare League members for the upcoming election work in 2024. Workshop attendees heard from a wide array of speakers, including LWV Liaison Alexis Juday-Marshall (an Oregonian now living in California) and Luana Chaires, Digital Relational Organizing Manager from LWVUS who spoke of the benefits of Outreach Circle/League in Action as a tool to further member engagement and voter education efforts. The Membership and Leadership Development group (MLD) offered an overview of their work in using MLD coaches to make a difference in addressing membership goals while Peggy Bengry (former Voter Service chair and current Vote411 Ballot Measure chair) spoke to the exciting work involved with engaging in Voter Service activities. Molly Woon, Oregon Elections Director, served as the workshop’s keynote speaker and offered an engaging and informative perspective on the Oregon election office’s efforts to serve voters in Oregon. The Elections Director is responsible for the administration of the Oregon vote-by-mail system as well as overseeing state initiative, referendum, and candidate processes. Woon spoke to the current efforts of the election office’s efforts to improve transparency and greater education across the state. LWVOR’s Youth Council held a panel to conclude the event. They spoke to the challenges facing young voters today and the goals to create a young LWV member pipeline in local and state Leagues nationwide, connect League of Women Voters to existing youth civic engagement around the country, and create more opportunities for young LWV members to participate in League activities. For an overview of the program and a copy of the recording, as well as copies of the Youth Council slide show and other information, please visit our LWVOR Fall Workshop resource page. Upcoming Events Legislative Process Day 2023 Registration open, get your tickets today! Nov 07, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM Hybrid Event 250 Winter St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Youth Voter Summit Registration opens soon Jan 19, 2024, 10:00 AM Hybrid Event 250 Winter St NE, Salem, OR 97301

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, April 7, 2023 Contact: Mimi Alkire, LWVPDX lwvpdx.org www. lwvor.org/mock-election 503.680.4184 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PORTLAND ANNOUNCES STUDENT MOCK ELECTION AS PART OF THE MAY 2023 SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS This is an opportunity for Multnomah County students, in grades 6 through 12, to have an authentic Oregon voting experience. They will learn to vote with realistic mock ballots containing two of the same ballot measures that will appear in the May 16, 2023 Special Election in the cities of Portland and Gresham. The number of registered students, along with the Spring 2023 Special District Elections mock ballot results, will be released prior to Election Day, May 19, 2023. Invitations to participate in this year’s Multnomah County Student Mock Election have been extended by phone, mail, or delivered in person to all Portland and Gresham public middle and high schools by local neighborhood League of Women Voters member volunteers. Educator and classroom registration, lesson plan distribution, and training on ballot measure analysis followed by mock ballot distribution are commencing. City of Portland Student Mock Ballots will include: ● Multnomah County Measure 26-238 (establishes residential tenant resources program, eviction representation, capital gains tax), and ● City of Portland Measure 26-240 (renew Portland Children's Levy investment for five years). Gresham Student Mock Ballots will include the Multnomah County Measure 26-238 along with: ● City of Gresham Measure 26-239 (five-year operating levy for police, fire, homeless and crisis response) Registered educators will receive access to the free League of Women Voters of Oregon award-winning “ Civics Education ” curriculum, a comprehensive lesson plan with linked resources, additional website resources, and instructions to prepare students for an informed and authentic voting experience on mock ballots. These free and open civics resources are available to educators YEAR-ROUND on the mock election website LWVOR.org . Teachers report their students take researched analysis and ballot measure explanations from mock election lessons home to their families and start thoughtful, effective, issue-centered discussions that benefit their communities. The National Association of Student Councils and National Association of Post- Secondary Principals also recommend mock elections to provide leadership roles for students. Mock elections are very popular with educators and students, and the press can bring welcome visibility to civics in action. The League of Women Voters of Portland is a 103-year-old grassroots nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. We envision informed Oregonians participating in a fully accessible, responsive, and transparent government to achieve the common good. The League never supports or opposes any candidate or political party.

TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Column Action Committee Report Development Report Youth Council Perspective 2024 OSME Update Website Update LWVOR Convention 2023 In Memoriam PRESIDENT’S REPORT By Alice Bartelt, LWVOR President It is my pleasure to serve as the President of a very active organization. What is important to me is that the board represents most parts of the state and that they have various League experiences. The Nominating Committee did a great job of recruiting board members. At the convention in Eugene, the members voted to allow flexibility in sharing offices. Even though I am serving as president, I will be sharing some duties with the First and Second Vice Presidents. Leadership in the League is much work, but we in Oregon know that training for our leaders is essential. We are hopeful that anyone looking to lead a local league or to serve on the state board will be rewarded in the successes that we have every day. I want to give you a little bit of background about myself. I have served as president for several state-wide organizations, including the American Association of University Women, Oregon NARAL, International Training in Communication, and the Oregon Association of Parliamentarians. I am a retired attorney. Since I retired in 2007, I have become a volunteer in a number of organizations, including the Oregon League. I joined the League in 2008 and have served for most of the time since 2009 as Action Chair. Because of my work on Action, I have not been as involved with other aspects of the League. But I will learn as I go along. I look forward to serving as your President, with assistance from the board. ACTION COMMITTEE REPORT By Becky Gladstone, Action Chair The LWVOR Action committee followed the contentious 2023 Oregon legislative session, stymied by the minority party senators’ walkout from May 3 to June 15, 2023, and limited building access for continuing seismic construction—completion now forecast for 2025. Most of our efforts were influential for the many bills we supported or opposed, so overall it was a surprisingly successful, though not positive, session for us. We worked with coalitions, posted Action Alerts in our Newsroom, and sent weekly legislative summary emails , backed up by extensive Legislative Reports (LR). Meanwhile, our active initiative petition work continues for campaign finance reform and redistricting. We are getting requests to work with others, including preliminary research into defining legislative quorums. Subscribe and watch for our final Sine Die LR after session completion, with the Governor signing or vetoing the session bills in early August. End-of-session rumors swirled as information was not shared for purported weekend leadership meetings, partisan bill lists for negotiation, interpreting consequences for Legislators’ absenteeism, and scheduling special sessions, with failure imminent for agency budget bills. Public access was absent and it seemed that many bills were likely to die with too little time for procedural requirements, which could include returning amended bills to the House for concurrence with subsequent amendments. The walkout delayed Senate floor hearings for probably hundreds of policy and budget bills across all issue portfolios, including many of the 160+ issues we testified to. Some Senators’ unexcused absences, to prevent assembly of the minimum quorum required to vote, were intended to prevent otherwise likely majority passage of legislation for reproductive and/or gender affirming health care and gun safety bills. As the end of session was declared imminent, advance public meeting notice periods shrank and sometimes were omitted. The Action Chair position has changed from Alice Bartelt, newly elected LWVOR President, to Becky Gladstone, LWVOR past President. We will meet this summer to celebrate our successes and to face our issue and leadership gaps, looking to reorganize. Watch for a roster of issues that need volunteer support, especially from organizers who can support our volunteers and issue experts. We are planning for a summer Action Retreat, a Legislative Process Day in the fall, and Day at the Legislature in spring of 2024. For information, please write to Becky Gladstone, b.gladstone@lwvor.org . DEVELOPMENT UPDATE By Jackie Clary and Freddi Weishahn, Development Co-Chairs The LWVOR received the Carol and Velma Saling Foundation grant for $50,000 on May 24, 2023, for our essential work providing Oregonians across the state with trusted, non-partisan voter information and civic education. The Saling Foundation has been a stalwart supporter of LWVOR, and we are deeply grateful. We were also awarded the Oregon Humanities Public Program Grant for $8,152 on June 6, 2023, for our Youth Outreach to encourage civic engagement among young voters in rural, urban, and marginalized communities across Oregon. Our non-partisan Youth Council , joining efforts with LWVOR, will engage in online and in-person training and mentoring to create an accessible and equitable path for youth to civic education and engagement. Their peer outreach workshop at our LWVOR State Convention, May 20, 2023, was inspiring! Watch for news of their Youth Voter Summit , planned for January 19th, 2024. LWVOR YOUTH COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE By Celine Ioffe, Youth Council President Youth Council President Celine Ioffe met with Dr. Deborah Turner, LWVUS President, at LWVUS Council. I have always believed perspective is everything and the national perspective I gained attending LWVUS Council in Las Vegas last weekend is exciting for all present and future young League of Women Voters members. In all my conversations, whether it be with a member of the Colorado League or a member of the National Board, there was not a single person who wasn’t deeply interested in learning how to involve and create more opportunities for youth within the League. Attending Council also made me aware of the many different youth involvement projects across the League nationally, including several college campus chapters, Maine’s youth internship program, and more. This made me realize there is no one direct youth pipeline into the League, which makes it difficult for youth in certain areas to get involved. Connecting and following up in the weeks ahead with as many state Leagues as we can and offering collaboration, support, and sharing of resources for their own Youth Councils in their state or local League was my goal for the weekend. Representing my other nine LWVOR Youth Council members at a national Council in Las Vegas as a 17-year-old, only six months into my work with the League, was one of the most growing and grounding experiences I’ve had. I was able to gather diverse League perspectives from practically every state and met so many incredible and inspirational people. I am so thankful to the League for giving me this opportunity, for my other two Oregon attendees, Diana DeMaria and Jackie Clary, for being so supportive and helpful the many times I needed it, and for the kindness of LWVUS President Dr. Deborah Turner and LWVUS CEO Virginia Kase Solomon to include and devote valuable time to one of their newest League members at such a busy event. I am motivated and excited to expand the future of Oregon’s Youth Council and the growth of youth involvement in our local Leagues and beyond. 2024 OREGON STUDENT MOCK ELECTION (OSME) By Mimi Alkire, State Board Secretary In the November 2022 General Election, LWVOR hosted the first statewide student mock election since 2012. For that mock election, nearly 5,000 students were registered to vote by 38 educators from 21 different cities/towns, representing 15 counties from every corner of the state. However, because of the formidable firewalls around urban school district emails, we were only able to get a response from exactly one (1!) Portland Public Schools educator and only a handful of educators from other large urban districts. So, to try to make headway in the Portland area, LWVPDX hosted a Multnomah County student mock election in May 2023. PDX volunteers contacted or visited their neighborhood middle and high schools to deliver information about the 2023 student mock election. That effort brought us active contact information for 64 local educators! These come from 13 middle and 14 high schools in the Portland metro area. They include both public and private schools. We hope to replicate that process in other leagues around the state for 2024. In May 2023, students in Multnomah County voted on Measure 26-238 (Tenant Eviction Representation) and Portland City Measure 26-240 (Children’s Levy). Many of the 2023 contacts were unable to participate in the spring county election but expressed interest in the 2024 statewide mock election. Although we had a small turnout, we count this as a success in collecting contact information for 2024. Reports and feedback from 2023 participating teachers were positive and helpful. Mock ballots are always accompanied by instructions and an optional lesson plan with many ideas and resources for teachers to use in preparing their students to vote. For the 2024 primary we plan to provide two lesson plans for teachers to use all or parts of: 1. A lesson plan addressing Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV). This one will answer the questions: What is ranked-choice-voting and how does it work? It would be appropriate for social studies classes but is also geared toward math classes. 2. A lesson plan addressing the Parties and Primaries in Oregon. This one will answer the questions: What are the political parties of Oregon and what do they believe? What is a closed primary and why do we have one? The OSME Committee would love your input as we prepare for the upcoming primary election. REGISTER YOUR MEMBER ACCOUNT ON OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE! The new website was designed with members and the public in mind. Please take a few moments to explore the new format and let us know what you think. A few highlights: • Members-only section featuring an interactive forum ( register and sign in to view) • Improved Legislative Report and Study accessibility • In development: An extensive Knowledge Base featuring toolkits and tutorials for, DEIJ, Voter Services, New Members, and commonly used digital services such as Google products, Zoom, Canva, and more! Login to view . PLEASE NOTE: You will need to re-register your account on the website to log in and view the members-only section. After logging in, click on the profile icon to see the dropdown list for members only. Feel free to contact us at media@lwvor.org if you have any questions. LWVOR CONVENTION 2023 By LWVOR Staff After years of remote meetings to keep each other safe in a pandemic, League members gathered in-person once again for the LWVOR Convention in Eugene, OR. Laughs, hugs, smiles, and handshakes were shared in the lobby of the Eugene Graduate Hotel, as the oversized University of Oregon duck statue overlooked the reunion of League members coming together for the first time at a Convention since 2020. LWVOR Bylaws dictate that every other year, delegates and observers from the majority of Leagues across the state come together to approve bylaws updates, discuss the budget, approve potential study topics, and vote in new Board members. It was also a time of meeting those who may only have been seen on a Zoom screen. Some League members chuckled as they met their tall colleagues for the first time, commenting that virtual meetings make for deceptive perceptions of height. The weekend kicked off with a tour of the Shelton-McMurphy house, a historical landmark of the Eugene community. League members then gathered for the tradition of the “dine-around,” where groups gathered at well-reviewed restaurants recommended by the Lane League host, enjoying the chance to explore downtown Eugene. Saturday marked the beginning of the business proceedings of the League Convention, where Becky Gladstone, outgoing LWVOR president, conducted a program that addressed some of the key foundations upon which the League operates. Reports were presented from several committees, including Nominating, Budget, and Program, while an energetic discussion ensued from delegates and observers on several clarifying points. A midmorning business intermission saw Representative Nancy Nathanson making an informative, stirring presentation about her work in the Oregon Legislature. The Saturday morning program concluded with lunch speaker Regina Lawrence, who spoke eloquently on the timely, critical topic of local journalism in Oregon. Four workshops followed the Saturday business program, including Youth Council members introducing themselves and sharing their goals for the newly-formed committee, a panel discussion of the First Amendment, a Nominating Committee task force presentation, and an update of LWVUS activities relating to climate change. Saturday ended with Pulitzer finalist Les Zaitz offering a moving and forthright presentation on the importance of truth in journalism and the role of news writers in furthering fact-centered reporting. The Sunday business meeting wrapped up the Convention with votes by delegates on the budget, proposal of studies, and more. League members passed by the silent auction tables for last-minute bids, coffee mugs in hand. The newly-designed LWVOR banner served as a backdrop for group photos for local League members, our renowned Action committee members, and the outgoing and incoming Board members. Becky Gladstone, passing the gavel after four years of exemplary leadership, smiled as she pulled on her Youth Council beanie and held up her commemoration plaque. The League leadership then passed into the highly capable hands of our esteemed parliamentarian, Alice Bartelt. The LWVOR Convention ended the same way it began: With handshakes, hugs, smiles, and a renewed sense of commitment to the League principles and mission. League members have adapted swiftly over the past few years to achieve greatness in unprecedented times, defending democracy across the state and in their communities through one challenge after another. While political perils of great magnitude persist, the attitude at the 2023 Convention was one of hope. Together, League members have faced down adversity across the decades in their fight for democracy, and that spirit was evident in the passionate discussions and resolute perspectives. As Les Zaitz concluded in his rousing speech on the importance of fighting for truth: “There is one step that you and I have to take, and that is to not give up.” IN MEMORIAM In June, the League of Women Voters of Oregon mourned the passing of the esteemed Norma Jean Germond. Norma Jean was an active member of both her local Clackamas League and the state League, where she served as President from 1979-1983. Her influential volunteer work included stints at several organizations, including as the chair of the LWV Columbia River Task Force, member of National Board of Association of Community College Trustees, chair of the Oregon State Advisory Committee on Adult Education and Literacy, president of the board of the Association of Environmental Education Centers at Clackamas Community College, first chair and founder of the Northwest Conservation Act Coalition (now NW Energy Coalition), and elected to Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition Board. Germond was honored with a Distinguished Service Award at the LWVOR Century Celebration in 2020 for her volunteer work.

Dear Friend, We are in the countdown for a momentous election and our determination to empower voters and defend democracy with trusted and nonpartisan information remains as strong as ever.   Let’s work with local and state Leagues and all of our community and national partners to update and increase voter registration across the state! Our goal is solid civic engagement of voices being heard at the ballot box, in every race, not just the one at the top of the ballot.  Let’s see how high voter turnout can be in Oregon. We’re glad you’re here!  Contents: The Young Vote Film Elections Are League Business Civics Are League Business Oregon SoS 2024 Civic Engagement Toolkit LWVOR Recall Study Moves Forward Communications and Electoral Systems History of Campaign Finance Reform Upcoming Opportunity: “Democracy in Action” How the League Helps Oregon Voters Election Threat/Intimidation Response Plan Development Update Oregon Student Mock Election (OSME) Update Opportunities Await! Add Your Voice to the LWVOR Board The Young Vote Film  Above: LWVOR Youth Council members participated in The Young Vote film screening in Portland earlier this year. We are excited to share a new resource with all of you: The Young Vote  film highlights the political awakening of a generation shaped by distrust in government and events like the Parkland shooting, exploring the challenges they face in voting and offering solutions like gerrymandering reform and ways to increase youth participation and preserve democracy. LWVOR has obtained a license to share the film with League members at no cost. Find the video file and discussion guide here .  Please contact us at media@lwvor.org  if you have any questions or issues accessing the files. Elections Are League Business A change at the top of the ticket in the presidential race turns out to be big news. But what does it mean for the League of Women Voters?   We have more opportunity to take advantage of the attention this draws to the November ballot as there are many important races that will be decided in the November 5th election.  We also know voter turnout is greatest when there's a presidential election at the top of the ballot.  We want to invite voters to find us online, in their mailbox, and in their community for access to information they need to cast an informed vote. Every League member and friend can help.  Here are resources for you, your friends, and family. Please help get the word out! Vote411 Vote411.org  is the League's national platform for everyone’s personalized voter guide.  The ballot can be overwhelming.  Voters enter their home address — no matter their physical location — and see who is on their ballot.  They will see a job description for each race.  There is voting information with important deadlines.  Voters hear directly from candidates who answer questions in their own words.  League volunteers reach out to all candidates running for positions in Oregon, though not all respond.  While not all states cover every race, each state has trusted and nonpartisan information on VOTE411 to get an overview for informed voting.  If you have friends and family elsewhere, let them know!   Candidate Forums When people think of the League of Women Voters, many think of candidate forums and registering voters.  Here in Oregon, at both the state and local level, League volunteers are hosting candidate forums.    Many local forums for congressional and legislative seats are also in the works.  Check your local League website to find out what's going on.  You will be amazed at the many opportunities for voters to connect with the candidates who seek to represent them. State Ballot Measure Overview Five statewide ballot measures will appear on the November ballot: Highlights 115: Oregon has the only state legislature that cannot impeach state executive officials. The state legislature  voted to send an amendment to voters that would authorize the impeachment process during the 2023 legislative session. 116: The legislature voted to send a constitutional amendment to the ballot to establish an Independent Public Service Compensation Commission to determine certain public officials' salaries. 117: Oregon will be one of five states to decide on a ranked-choice voting  ballot measure this year after the state legislature voted to refer a law authorizing its use to the ballot. Two initiatives qualified for the ballot:118 - An initiative  to increase the state's corporate tax rate and distribute that revenue to residents.119 - An initiative  to require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when labor organizations communicate with employees about collective bargaining rights. From an advocacy angle, LWVOR is recommending a YES vote on Measure 117 and a NO vote on Measure 118.  We are remaining neutral on the other three ballot measures because the League does not have relevant positions for them.  Our recommendations regarding the initiatives are based on state and national positions the League adopted after study and member consensus and rest on member understanding.  At the same time, the League has a duty to serve voters and provide them with the information they need to cast an informed ballot.  How do we navigate this dual role?  First and foremost, it's important to know which effort is at play. LWV of the United States has provided guidance.  Check here for specific information . In its Voter Services role, LWVOR is working to prepare ballot measure summary toolkits of the initiatives and Ballot Measure Speakers will be available to book for speaking to community groups. Go to your county elections website for local measures. Social Media Social media is a great way to educate the public about elections and tools for becoming an informed voter.  Please follow LWVOR social media, as well as other Leagues, including your local League and the national League. This helps promote our voter resources and is a lot of fun! Voter Registration Many local Leagues are tabling at events in their communities.  More than voter registration, tabling provides an opportunity to reach out directly to voters and offer tools and resources for an informed electorate.  Please check your local League's website to learn more about events and how you can help.  Voters can be referred to resources that include https://www.vote411.org , lwvor.org/your-government , sos.oregon.gov/voting-elections .  LWVUS Statement What about the change at the top of the Democratic Party's ticket? Yes — it means increased attention to the election.  The League is nonpartisan, so how things play out with respect to candidates is not in our wheelhouse.  Election rules and free and fair elections are.  Please take a look at the LWVUS statement below.  You will see reference there to the National Task Force on Election Crises.  LWVUS is a member.  You may want to bookmark this site to stay informed of developments.  You can also keep informed by checking the LWVUS' blog post  on the topic. President Biden Withdraws from Reelection | League of Women Voters ( lwv.org ) Civics Are League Business Many thanks to League member Sandy Nipper for sharing the following guidance from Oregon Department of Education Social Science Specialist, Amit Kobrowski. School districts use the State Social Science Standards to design the classroom curriculum.  In June, the State Board of Education (ODE) adopted new standards. The high school civics standards begin on page 70 in the document linked here . For the upcoming school year, many school districts may continue to use a previous version of the standards linked here .      OREGON SOCIAL SCIENCE LEGISLATION SB 1050 Professional Learning Related to Teaching Inclusive Social Science Standards In the 2023 legislative session, The Oregon Legislature adopted Senate Bill 1050 requiring ODE to provide professional learning for the implementation of inclusive social science standards. The Senate Bill 1050 overview  provides additional information about this legislation. SB 513 High School Civics Credit Requirement In the 2021 legislative session, the Oregon Legislature adopted Senate Bill 513  requiring students to earn 0.5 civics course credit to fulfill graduation requirements, beginning with the class of 2026 (current 8th-grade students). This new law ensures that all students in Oregon graduate with the civic knowledge to be empowered, engaged, and informed members of a democratic society. The civics credit guidance document  outlines the new requirements of the .5 credit for a high school transcript. How Civics Credits Can be Earned The total number of high school credits (24) and social science credits (3) remains unchanged, but at least 0.5 of the three social science credits must now include civics.  U.S. civics and/or government courses that incorporate all high school civics and government standards  will meet the requirements of the proposed new rule. Some schools may already offer a civics course aligned with Oregon's high school civics standards, while others may need to review their social science offerings to create a course that meets this requirement. Schools without a qualifying civics course will need to develop a course to meet this new civics graduation requirement. SB 702 Strengthening Civics Instruction During the 2021 Legislative session, the Oregon State Legislature passed Senate Bill 702, directing the State Board of Education to review the social science standards  related to civics instruction. More information about SB 702 Legislation Resources Recommended Supplemental Texts - Ethnic Studies Grade Level Guidance for Holocaust/Genocide Objectives Honoring Tribal Legacies Western Hemisphere Resources, rev. 3-2019 Teaching the Civil Rights Movement Center for Digital Storytelling The Oregon Encyclopedia  The Oregon Encyclopedia is an authoritative and free resource on all things Oregon, from the expected to the unexpected. Learn more about the people, places, events, and institutions that define the history and culture of Oregon. Honoring Tribal Legacies Resources National Council for the Social Studies  Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators. Oregon Historical Society Oregon SoS 2024 Civic Engagement Toolkit Ahead of the May primary election, Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade released a civic engagement toolkit, aimed at helping organizations do voter registration and voter turnout work in the 2024 elections and an updated version of the toolkit  was released this week that’s ready to use for the November General Election. The tools included in the 2024 toolkit are official, non-partisan, research-backed, and free to use with or without attribution to the SoS office. Download the 2024 Civic Engagement Toolkit here . LWVOR Recall Study Moves Forward The LWVOR Board on July 15 approved the state study, Assessing the Recall Process in Oregon. In the coming months, League members across the state will have a chance to read the study and discuss the issues and questions it raises in a consensus process, which may lead to a revised LWVOR position on recall elections. Work on the 51-page study started with a proposal from the LWV Lane County, followed by LWVOR Board referral at the May 2023 LWVOR Convention to delegates who approved the project. Over the last year, a four-person study team has conducted interviews and research, organized ideas and materials, and shared writing and review duties. Study team members are Alice LaViolette, League of Marion and Polk Counties; and LWVLC members Rhonda Livesay, Linda Lynch, and Keli Osborn.  Others contributing to the study have included League members who joined the study team in conducting interviews with a dozen local elections officials and experts. These League members are Chris Cobey, LWV Portland; Carol Cushman, LWV Portland; Joyce Durban, LWV Deschutes County; Kathleen Hersh, LWV Washington County; Ruth Kistler, LWV Lincoln County; Josie Koehne, LWV Washington County; Jane Mulholland, LWV Lincoln County; Katie Riley, LWV Washington County; Amy Vandegrift, LWV Marion/Polk Counties, and Jane VanKuren, LWV Washington County. Editing team members are Merle Bottge, LWV Lane County; Abigail Hertzler, LWVOR staff; Rebecca Gladstone, LWVLC member and LWVOR Advocacy Co-Chair; Barbara Klein, LWV Rogue Valley; and Sarah Andrews, LWVOR staff. The study explores state requirements for the recall of elected officials, Oregon history, comparison of Oregon’s recall process to other states, potential impacts on voter education and turnout, and more. Don’t be daunted ahead of time by the study’s length! It’s a reader-friendly document, professionally designed by LWVOR staff.  (The table of contents occupies two pages, with another 16 pages for appendices, compilation of resources, and credits…along with graphics from historical archives and several pages of charts.) By the way, here’s how the national League defines consensus: The process used to arrive at positions on issues. The collective opinion of a substantial number of League members, representative of the membership as a whole, after objective study of an issue. We hope you’ll watch for the study and find ways to participate in the next phase of this work. This will include unit meetings and other opportunities for discussion/input.  As one of our interview subjects, Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson, said in an interview: “We need more public education about the recall process.”  Communications and Electoral Systems: Ranked Choice Voting and STAR Barbara Klein, LWVOR 1st VP Communications Rarely do we manage to “kill two birds with one stone.” But if you don’t favor killing birds, consider this article as an effort in repurposing (a time-management trick I relish). My dual purpose here is to connect with statewide League members in my new role of Communications chair, as well as the action committee portfolio holder for Electoral Systems.   Many of you are aware that our Oregon 2024 general election will include a ballot measure adopting Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) elections for much of our statewide government.  LWVOR supports that measure based on our Election Methods position, which can be found in the resource section below.  Fewer of you may be aware that another electoral system was on the Eugene ballot this 2024 primary season.  That system is often abbreviated as STAR (Score then Automatic Runoff).  While it did not succeed (losing by 67% of the vote), it may be helpful for League members to understand it and how the LWVOR approaches it.   After various statewide studies on electoral methods, we realize that most systems are better than our typical plurality (‘pick-one’ or ‘most votes wins’) elections.  Technically, these conventional elections are known as FPTP – or First Past the Post.  STAR allows more ballot options and expression for voters than FPTP.   Nevertheless, the League prefers RCV when possible or available, over STAR.  I will explain why below.  In great part, this approach, and concerns, are based on our LWVOR 2023 update.   Taking a personal privilege, I would like to explain my own opinion of when we might prefer STAR.  If you are functioning in a group of like-minded individuals who have no real opposition to one another (such as setting goals for the LWV or decisions made by a small business), STAR could be reasonable and perhaps easier to administer when counting by hand.  The same could be said for Approval Voting, which our position explicitly rejects.  Still, due to the four apprehensions listed below, we would not prefer STAR for governmental elections (often referred to as “elections of consequence”). Our Concerns over STAR Voting The concerns below are based on the principles and preferences of the LWVOR after numerous studies on electoral systems.  Not all election scientists, politicians, or activists may share our views.  Many do. I hope to put these 4 points in simple wording so that League members can evaluate STAR (especially in comparison to RCV) to answer questions from their communities.  The bottom line is that RCV meets more of the preferred criteria from both our state and national position than does STAR.  Just a quick reminder – “ the League speaks with one voice .”  For anyone new to League, that phrase means that ‘lower’ levels of our organization cannot work against positions of higher levels.  (Local leagues cannot take a stand against a state position, and likewise, state Leagues cannot oppose national positions.).  We follow this rule to make certain we don’t confuse the public about our standing or advocacy.   While STAR champions often say that STAR is a form of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), it is actually “ Range or Score Voting, followed by a Top Two Vote. ”  This more closely describes its operations.   STAR does not guarantee a majority winner, as RCV does in the last round  of counting.   There is NO consistent definition between voters regarding the value of each STAR vote.  (With rankings, the first spot is the first spot, the second, the second etc. This is not so clear with STAR.  You and I may share the exact same opinion of a candidate, and yet I give her 3 stars while you give her 4 stars.)  Definition of STARS between voters is not consistent .  This muddles the clarity of voters’ intentions in the overall election results.   In the last round, many ballots may be disqualified because the voter gave the remaining candidates the same ‘score’ (or number of STARS).  Proponents say the voter had “ no preference. ”  We reject that idea and believe people will not realize this is the process. It disenfranchises many voters.  In part because of the point above, STAR is a system that may need, or may use, strategy when voting.  (For instance, I may know I should not  score candidates with the same number of STARS so that my ballot is not eliminated in the final count; you may not know this. Thus, I have an advantage.)  With RCV you simply vote your favorites in order of preference.  There is no practical use in trying to be strategic.    For any members who wish to learn more about these systems, please refer to our studies listed below in the resources.  However, for those who simply wanted to understand the reason that LWVOR would support RCV instead of STAR, a system originating in Oregon, I hope this offered a general background.   -- Resources: You can read the full position (amended 2016) at mid-page here: https://fab67f44-53c0-4d55-8f3f-38f29e9a1504.filesusr.com/ugd/54a310_254f05d580514121b5651b134fa695c6.pdf   Restudy update from 2023:  https://www.lwvor.org/studies-1/election-methods-study-update-2023    The Executive Summary from the original study of 2008 can be read here: Microsoft Word - ExecutiveSummaryFinal ( filesusr.com ) History of Campaign Finance Reform By Norman Turrill In 2020, the League supported the Legislature’s referred constitutional amendment Measure 107  to voters to allow campaign finance limits. Voters passed it overwhelmingly by over 78%. However, three Legislative sessions passed without implementing a Measure 107 statute. Legislators could not agree on anything that limited their own campaigns; they all are experts on financing their own campaigns and all have a huge conflict of interest. In 2022, the Honest Elections group , including the LWVOR, Common Cause and other good government groups, participated in intense negotiations with unions and Our Oregon, lasting for many months. An agreement was reached on an initiative text; however, the unions backed out of the deal at the last minute. Honest Elections redrafted the proposal together with national experts from the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause and the League. They then filed initiative petition (IP) 9  in July, 2022, after a long drafting process where IP 8 (a constitutional amendment to stop campaign finance laws impairment), IP 23 (including Democracy Vouchers) and IP 24 (including public matching of small donations) were also filed.  Honest Elections settled on IP 9 as the proposal most likely to make the ballot and be adopted by voters. After an eight-month ballot title certification process all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court, while Our Oregon did its best to delay the process, the Secretary of State finally approved IP 9 for circulation in May, 2023. The campaign quickly hired petitioners, organized volunteers including the League, and eventually collected some 100,000 signatures. LWVOR policy says that the League only supports ballot measures after ballot qualification, unless it was involved in measure drafting and organizing. Then Our Oregon, sensing IP 9’s potential success, redrafted the originally agreed Honest Elections initiative text (with huge loopholes for unions and other organizations). Our Oregon filed IP 42 , got a ballot title in less than 5 months, hired circulators, and began collecting signatures in January, 2024. At this point, it was clear to some legislators entering the short legislative session, that an expensive ballot battle was brewing between IP 9 and IP 42. Very quickly and historically , some union and business lobbyists got together and drafted a legislative bill. Dexter Johnson, lead Legislative Counsel, quickly drafted an LC bill.  The House Rules Committee, Chaired by Rep. Julie Fahey and Vice Chair Rep. Jeffrey Helfrich, stuffed the LC bill as an amendment into HB 4024 , an unused placeholder bill. Two hearings and a work session were quickly held within a few days. The League initially opposed the bill  in its -3 amendment form. Intense negotiations ensued behind the scenes between Honest Elections, some legislators, and business and union lobbyists, with the League being supportive but not directly involved. Some 40 changes  were made to the 49-page bill before Honest Elections agreed that it was “ good enough ”. Part of the agreement was withdrawal of both IP 9 and IP 42. HB 4024 initially included a referral to November ballots, also removed from the final bill.  The House Rules Committee quickly passed HB 4024 to the House floor, rules were suspended, and it passed 52 to 5. The very next day, the Senate Rules Committee quickly and concurrently held a hearing and work session, passing HB 4024 to the Senate floor. The Senate suspended rules, passed the bill 22 to 6, all on the last day of session . The Governor said she would sign it. It is clear that much more work needs to be done to implement HB 4024. Funding must be allocated to the Secretary of State  and administrative rules must be written and adopted before the January 2027 effective date. ORESTAR must be reprogrammed for a “dashboard” advertising disclosure, and “drill down” to see original campaign contribution funding sources. The 2025 long legislative session will undoubtedly want to consider amendments, both good and bad. This work could continue for years, if not decades. Stay tuned! Previous Campaign Finance History Campaign contribution limits were adopted in 1908 by initiative . Those limits remained in effect until the 1970s when the Legislature repealed them in favor of campaign spending limits, a fad at the time.  In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down campaign spending limits in the famous Buckley v. Valeo  court case because they violated the First Amendment. However, the SCOTUS justified contribution limits because of the state’s interest in preventing “corruption and the appearance of corruption  spawned by the real or imagined coercive influence of large financial contributions on candidates' positions and on their actions if elected to office." In 1994, Oregon voters again adopted campaign contribution limits by initiative with Measure 9 . They were only in effect for the 1996 election until the Oregon Supreme Court struck them down in 1997 on the basis of free speech in the Oregon Constitution, VanNatta v. Keisling . In 1998, voters approved Measure 62, a constitutional amendment requiring campaign finance and  ad financing disclosures, and allowing the Legislature to regulate signature gathering. The Legislature later prohibited paying petition circulators per signature, among other regulations. In 2000, the League helped draft initiative Measure 6 and supported it with a Voters’ Pamphlet statement, to provide public funding to candidates who limited campaign spending and private contributions. It failed on the ballot.  Oregon voters again passed contribution limits with initiative Measure 47  in 2006. The companion initiative, constitutional amendment Measure 46 , however, did not pass, so the Measure 47 limits never went into effect. The League did not help draft these measures and later opposed them because Measure 46 required a three-fourths (3/4) legislative vote to amend previously enacted campaign finance laws, or to pass new laws. Measure 47 also required low contributions limits, perhaps unconstitutionally. Later in 2020, when the Oregon Supreme Court rescinded its repeal of campaign contribution limits, the Oregon Attorney General and Secretary of State refused without explanation to allow Measure 47 to go into effect, even though it was still in Oregon Revised Statute. In the early 2020s, the Honest Elections group , including the LWVOR, Common Cause and several other good government groups, succeeded in getting contribution limits adopted for Portland and Multnomah County, with public funding for Portland candidates, with a small donor matching fund. Find this article and future updates related to campaign finance reform on the LWVOR website here .  Upcoming Opportunity: “Democracy in Action” The Upstanders Mural in Boston, MA, a project spearheaded by Facing History. By Elizabeth Kirby, DEIJ Chair Upcoming Opportunity: This opportunity is primarily focused for classroom educators but is also open for educators of all kinds. Facing History & Ourselves  is a registered 501c3 organization with a mission that focuses on using the lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. They have an upcoming FREE series for educators:   "Democracy in Action: Teaching about the 2024 Election and Educating for Civic Participation" This is a multi-part series of lessons that starts in late August and ends in September. Participants can sign up for all lessons or choose the ones they feel to be most relevant to their work. Sign up and more information can be found by clicking on the series title above. "Democracy in Action: Teaching about the 2024 Election and Educating for Civic Participation" How the League Helps Oregon Voters By Abigail Bok, Marianne Germond, Peggy Bengry, Voter Service Leadership Team  You’re probably aware of the work done by your local League, but what about the League of Women Voters of Oregon? LWVOR also offers a wide array of resources for Oregonians making up their minds about how to vote at the state level. Here’s a glimpse into what will be available in October. Ballot Measures  Ballot measure reports with pros & cons. A statewide committee led by Peggy Bengry ( p.bengry@lwvor.org ) researches every statewide ballot measure and prepares a detailed analysis of the background, costs, and consequences of a yes or no vote, plus arguments from supporters and opponents. WHEN: Scheduled to be released to local leagues September 19. WHERE: The reports are posted on the state League website ( lwvor.org ) and on Vote411.org ; local Leagues can post them on their websites as well; and they’re incorporated into a Speaker’s Kit that’s sent to all local Leagues. VOLUNTEER  with your local League to make ballot measure presentations to other groups; hand them out at forums and meetings. Local Leagues can also write ballot measure reports on county and local measures to post in Vote411.org and on your website. Contact Peggy Bengry for templates, guidelines and timeline. Vote411.org A team of volunteers (led by Abigail Bok, vote411lead@lwvor.org ) compiles a database for every election listing every race and candidate in the state. All candidates are invited to post answers to a few questions and then add links to their own campaign sites, a photo, and more. How it works: Visitors to the site enter their street address and can see everything on their ballot plus all the info about races and measures the League has compiled. We add links to forums and interviews and more. WHEN: Candidates are responding now; Vote411 goes live September 30. WHERE:  Vote411.org VOLUNTEER  to promote Vote411: it’s as easy as posting on social media (the League provides images and messaging, contact the Digital Director, Sarah Andrews, at s.andrews@lwvor.org for tips and resources); or simply talking to friends, family, and social groups. The state office ( a.hertzler@lwvor.org ) and your local League have cards, posters, and more that you can hand out or post on bulletin boards. In addition to promoting the website, you can also help your local League by calling candidates to urge them to post on Vote411. Your local Voter Service chair will have phone numbers and scripts.  Voters’ Guide The League’s print Voters’ Guide draws candidates’ responses from Vote411 and adds League-researched in-depth information about statewide ballot measures.  The Guide also gives voters information on how to vote, important dates, and how to contact their local elections office. Local Leagues use it as a handout at forums; they distribute to many places including libraries, Elections Offices, and senior centers; and for outreach into Spanish-speaking communities. The Voters’ Guide editor, Marianne Germond ( votersguideeditor@lwvor.org ), also coordinates with the State Library to produce audio and Braille versions of the guide.  WHEN: Local Leagues will need to place their orders by September 13 and can expect delivery roughly between October 4 and October 9. WHERE: Ask your local League who is receiving the copies. There will also be online PDF versions of the guides (English and Spanish) on the LWVOR website that can be linked to and printed. VOLUNTEER to help distribute copies of the Voters’ Guide, or help look up addresses of places to leave copies—coffee shops, bookstores, any place people gather. Help spread the word about the Guide among friends, family, and social groups. Election Threat/Intimidation Response Plan By Elizebeth Kirby, DEIJ Chair With an uptick in violence, threats, and intimidation tactics being used to suppress voters across the nation, it’s more important than ever to develop a plan of action to support both our members and our local communities against these threats to our democracy. Although Oregon’s mail-in ballot system provides less opportunity for intimidation at the polls, there has been an increase in folks being intimidated at ballot drop boxes across the state. Election workers are also facing unprecedented levels of threats and many offices across the state have increased security and developed action plans to respond to violence or intimidation.  Developing these types of action plans allow us to rapidly respond by empowering our communities to speak up and report election interference. It also provides an opportunity to protect those in our community that may be targeted by those seeking to disrupt democracy. LWVUS has provided a resource guide  that outlines how to develop a rapid response team for your local league. The Oregon Secretary of State, Elections Division has a webpage  devoted to reporting election law violations.  The Election Protection Hotline is also a valuable resource. This hotline can be used to report: Issues or questions that impact individual voters, such as questions regarding ID requirements, incorrect information regarding polling place or eligibility, or what to do now that a voter has cast a provisional ballot, should be directed to the Election Protection Hotlines. Isolated incidents of voter intimidation should also be directed to the Election Protection Hotlines. This hotline is available in a wide variety of languages: English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)  En Español: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) Asian multilingual assistance: 1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)  Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)  Development Update  By Jackie Clary and Freddi Weishahn, LWVOR Development Co-Chairs The Carol and Velma Saling Foundation, a most generous, sustaining contributor to our mission, awarded LWVOR $57,000 on August 6, 2024. We are honored and sincerely grateful to the Saling Foundation for continuing to be a major influence in our ability to increase outreach for our voter education programs, continue to produce trusted nonpartisan publications and strengthen publicity for the many services we provide to diverse communities across Oregon. The Autzen Foundation, which supports charitable work for a wide array of organizations that make Oregon a better place, awarded LWVOR $5,000 on August 13, 2024, to fund our Youth Council activities. We sincerely thank the Autzen Foundation for recognizing the importance of our Youth Council and their work to bring more youth across Oregon into our participatory democracy. This award will enable our dedicated youth to continue to Get-Out-The-Vote and hold more workshops, including another Civic Education Summit. They have also been given a national spotlight by the LWVUS, which is working with LWVOR Youth Council member Lucy Robb to form a national LWVUS Youth Council. Kudos to our youth! Oregon Student Mock Election (OSME) Update  By Mimi Alkire, OSME Chair Even though we haven't officially begun the push to get teachers registering their students for the 2024 General Mock Election, we are always open for business! At the time of this writing (8/20/24) we have five schools registered with nearly 2,000 students estimated to be voting. As soon as the Secretary of State's office has the ballot information, we will be selecting three races for which the students will vote. They will for sure get to vote for President of the United States, a state-wide office, and a ballot measure. Local races can also be included by request. Questions should be directed to MockElection@lwvor.org . The dates and deadlines that are important for this election are: TODAY! –                            Registration is open now! Just click HERE    Wednesday, October 16 – Oregon ballot mailing begins October 15-25 –             Student Mock Election Voting Window Friday, November 1 –         OSME results released to the public Tuesday, November 5 –     Oregon General Election Day Opportunities Await! Add Your Voice to the LWVOR Board Be part of the mission and have a good time too! Six Director positions available on the LWVOR Board for the 2025-2027 term. If you are interested, know someone who might be interested, have questions, want more information, please email nominating@lwvor.org .

Date:  May 15, 2025 To: All LWVOR Members From:  Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator ACTION :   Please contact members of the Joint Ways and Means Committee as well as members of the Joint W&M Natural Resources Committee REQUEST :   We are contacting local League members throughout Oregon to ask members of the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee to advance both of these bills by setting work sessions for each. LEAGUE POSITION: To assure the future availability of essential resources, government policies must promote stewardship of natural resources. Policies that promote resource conservation are a fundamental part of such stewardship DEADLINE : ASAP   We need your support to fund both bills which bolster biodiversity, invest in coastal economies, and increase resilience to a changing climate   HB 3580 Identifies knowledge gaps and policy barriers to effective eelgrass  management because eelgrass  Provides food and habitat for a variety of species Reduces harmful algal blooms HB 3587 develops site management plans for existing rocky habitats because rocky habitats protect Biodiverse ecosystems Shorelines  For more information and talking points, see  HB 3580  and HB 3587 . Contact lwvor@lwvor.org  with questions or to volunteer to support legislation like this

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Date:  April 16, 2025 To: All LWVOR Members From:  Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President Jean Pierce, Social Policy Coordinator Marge Easley, Gun Policy Advocate  Take action: Contact your Oregon Senator and urge to sponsor and vote for SB 243 A when it comes to the Senate Floor. ( Find Your Legislators ) REQUEST: Support SB 243  A  DEADLINE: April 21 WHY SUPPORT FOR SB 243 A IS NEEDED:  The League believes the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons is a major health and safety threat. Your Senator needs to hear from Oregonians in favor of stronger gun laws. The majority of testimony received is from very vocal opponents. Strong state gun laws are urgently needed to counteract weakening federal regulations and enforcement.  SB 243 A would change Oregon gun laws:  Create a 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of a firearm  Ban rapid-fire devices, such as bump stocks, that allow semi-automatic guns to function like machine guns Expand the public areas that can be designated “gun-free zones”  Find talking points in League testimony for 72-hour waiting period , ban on rapid fire , and " gun free zones ." See more information from  OPB , Alliance for a Safe Oregon , and Ceasefire Oregon .  The following Senators have already co-sponsored part or all of the provisions in the bill or have voted for it in the Senate Judiciary committee. If one of these Senators is yours, be sure to thank them. Broadman  Frederick Gelser Blouin Manning    Meek Prozanski Reynolds Sollman

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! Vote411 in Oregon Voter Suppression Bills at the National and State Level 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama Equal Rights for All in Oregon National Popular Voter Interstate Compact Succession Planning New Membership Model: How Will It Impact Our League? Gratitude for the Generous Support Helping Us Fuel Our Democracy Hands Off! Rallies Sweep Oregon on April 5th 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  May 20, 2025, Order of Candidates Names on the Ballot 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: Senator Merkley   Senator Wyden    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 .  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.

Date: April 10, 2025 To: All LWVOR members From:  Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator Barbara Klein, Portfolio Advocate Request:  Oppose the SAVE Act The House just passed the harmful Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act , which would require documented proof of citizenship to register to vote — a move that disproportionately affects voters of color and women, making voting harder for millions of eligible Americans. Now it’s in the Senate. Let’s make sure Oregon’s senators hear from us loud and clear. Contact Senators Wyden and Merkley to urge them to oppose the SAVE Act and continue defending the freedom to vote. Share this with others in Oregon. Deadline:  ASAP Talking Points: It is already illegal for non-citizens to register and vote in federal or state elections.  Requiring a document to prove American citizenship to register to vote creates a barrier to the voting process, as many eligible voters – particularly people of color - do not have easy access to necessary documents. Background Information:  Voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering. Compared to white US citizens, citizens of color are three times more likely to lack documents such as birth certificates, passports, naturalization certificates, or certificates of citizenship or they face difficulties accessing them. For example, while approximately half of all American adults possess a passport, two-thirds of Black Americans do not. Similar legislation has already been implemented by some states and has had a demonstrably negative impact on voters’ ability to participate in elections In 2011, Kansas passed a law that required proof of citizenship to register to vote. When the law went into effect in 2013, more than 31,000 eligible voters were prevented from registering. This law was declared unconstitutional by federal courts and is no longer enforced. Additional actions to require documentary proof of citizenship in Arizona, Alabama, and Georgia were also struck down. Don't let Congress make voting harder. Oppose the SAVE Act now!

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Earlier this year, I worked with the Washington County LWV unit to interview Senator Lisa Reynolds (SD-17) on behalf of the League about her legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session. I also asked her questions specifically about what she is pioneering as host of different bills/packages (which she is calling ‘Momnibus’). specifically, Bill (SB 691), which is about supporting maternal health services and providing housing and extended social services to support families in need. I attended roundtable discussions the senator hosted to collect information and formulate personal written testimony on this package. Now, I am working with the League to configure an action plan on how we can contribute to the Equal Rights for All ballot measure that will come into the limelight during the 2026 mid-terms. Youth Council Advocacy Team Member Atharva Deepak Atharva Deepak is a motivated advocate for social justice and high school student.  He joined LWVOR Youth Council because of his passion for civic engagement and exploring the fundamentals of how legislative change is put into effect. Atharva is a member of his school’s Mock Trial team and is a Teen Council member for Planned Parenthood. He also is an Executive Council Member for the OHSU non-profit, Youth HPV Champions.