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A second invitation to join OSME went out to teachers the first week in April who participated in the past. With it came a few more registered teachers. At the time of this writing, we have about 3,300 students registered from 22 schools and/or districts. Compared to the 33,000 who registered in fall of 2024, this is a small turnout. Spring is very busy for high schools so it is understandable that many teachers just can’t give class time to a mock election. Our participation for primary elections has been historically low. Still, we have a lot of participation from rural communities this election. Our represented towns include, Albany, Corvallis, Dayville, Dufur, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Lake Oswego, North Bend, Oregon City, Portland’s David Douglas School District, Pendleton, Pine Eagle, Roseburg, St Helens, West Linn, and Winston. The voting window for students is May 1-10. The press release will go to participating schools and our press pool on, or before May 12. Once again, Lakeridge HS has registered for the whole school to vote! We have an endorsement letter from the Secretary of State’s office for the 2026 mock elections. In this election, students will vote for Governor and Ballot Measure 120 (M120) at the state level and US Senator at the federal. I was skeptical about whether M120 (a referendum to increase payroll tax, gas tax, and vehicle registration fees) would be of interest to students, so I polled the teachers about what they thought. They convinced me to include it. They also have the option of having their students vote for their US Representative. For this election, I have created seven ballots: six ballots with each of the US District races and one without. Teachers decide which ballot(s) they would like to use. Some are opting to use multiple US district ballots since their students’ home addresses fall into more than one. Results and a press release will be available on or about May 12. Mimi Alkire LWVOR Oregon Student Mock Election Coordinator

The mid-year season is upon us and our LWVOR Council is only a couple weeks away, coming up 15-16 May. It’s not too late to consider attending in person. Marion-Polk League members are offering to lodge guests from across the state should you choose to come to Salem. What a great way to meet members you may have only been acquainted with! This year, we are going to review the status of our eight strategic objectives: clear and vocal branding, highlighting our voter service, grow Oregon Student Mock Elections, grow non-partisan outreach through new affiliations, redouble our fiduciary responsibilities, grow the Leagues future with youth outreach, address burnout, and all the while modeling civil discourse. We will hear from a professor of history about the similarities between 1939 and 2025 and why knowing history is crucial to defending democracy and empowering voters now. This year the proposed budget is quite different. The Board and Budget Committee pose a question to us at an inflection point with a serious choice. They are asking us to consider helping our volunteers by adding new staff roles dedicated to the operation of our busiest and most demanding portfolios. In these stressful times, we have experienced a reticence to take on leadership - that in turn taxes our volunteers and staff. The Human Resources Committee, Budget Committee, and Board have done their best to create a budget that continues to support our volunteer leadership, with a new model designed to address the stress and burnout so prevalent in these times. Please join us either in person or online - this will be a big choice about our future. On April 25th, the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) and ACLU of Oregon filed a “friend of the court” brief in United States v. Oregon, in support of Oregon voters’ privacy and Oregon state privacy law. The brief opposes the United States Department of Justice’s unlawful demand for disclosure of Oregon voters’ private information (such as driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of Social Security numbers). The League is represented by Campaign Legal Center and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. The ACLU of Oregon is represented by the ACLU. And here’s my observation of our support for that action, “The League of Women Voters of Oregon is determined to protect the private data of Oregonians from the overreach of the federal government,” said Mark Kendall, President of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. “We are proud to support our state’s strong state privacy laws against the federal government’s fishing expedition. The League will continue to protect our members and Oregon voters from this intrusion that erodes trust in the very institutions that we expect to uphold our highest democratic principles and values.” On April 30th, the League of Women Voters chapters of Deschutes, Klamath, and Union Counties and the Rogue and Umpqua Valleys held a joint, bipartisan Congressional Candidate forum for Oregon’s Congressional District 2 (CD2). That district is the sixth largest in the country and larger than 22 states. These chapters worked closely with one another to select questions from voters in the district to best represent the needs of citizens in this geographically wide-ranging area. Moderated by award-winning journalist Les Zaitz, this live Zoom webinar featured live local watch parties by each host across the district. Eight of the nine candidates for the U.S.House of Representatives participated including Peter Larson of Union County; Andrea Carr of Klamath County; Mary Doyle of Deschutes County; Patty Snow, Rebecca Mueller, Peter Quince, and Chris Beck of Jackson County; and Dawn Rasmussen of Wasco County. The moderator Les Zaitz has been a journalist in Oregon for more than 50 years and is editor/owner of Salem Reporter. He is a two-time Pulitzer finalist who lives and works from his ranch in rural Grant County. What a great way for our rural Leagues to collaborate in empowering voters! In League, Mark Kendall LWVOR Interim President

April 30, 2026 Our Nation Today, our League community is sitting with a great deal of both sadness and resolve following the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. With its ruling in this case, the Court has struck the final blow to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, rendering it inoperable against racial discrimination in redistricting. The League responded with a strong statement, warning that the decision “will turn back decades of progress toward securing a multiracial democracy” and making clear that efforts to silence Black voters and other voters of color will not go unanswered. This moment demands action—and together, we have the power to meet it. The fight for an inclusive, multiracial democracy is far from over, and we will continue moving forward, side by side, to ensure every voice is heard. For those interested in learning more, please register for this upcoming webinar and stay tuned for an educational blog on Callais from our Litigation team. Our League This week’s Supreme Court ruling further emphasizes the importance of the people to unite and rise in defense of democracy and in pursuit of voting rights for all. The League is proud to announce that the Power Playbook #5: People Power Summer, the next phase of Unite & Rise 8.5, is now available. This playbook is designed to support Leagues in leading a powerful 90-day push toward the 2026 midterms. Together, we’ll build momentum through the August 8 National Day of Action and strengthen the connection between primary engagement and long-term voter participation in our communities. To support your planning for the National Day of Action, key resources are available on the League Management Site, including a Menu of Activations with flexible options based on your League’s capacity, and a Planning Toolkit with step-by-step guidance for organizing, executing, and tracking your efforts. I invite you to join us on May 4 for the Introduction to Playbook #5 and the August 8 Day of Action webinar to connect, learn more, and get your questions answered. And when you’re ready, please register your League’s participation by May 15 so we can support your efforts and lift up the collective impact we’re building together. In League, Dianna Wynn President League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of Oregon invites you to join us in Salem, OR for our 2026 Council! The event will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Salem, Oregon on May 15-16. This year, we will be offering a complimentary dinner reception with pizza and salad on Friday, May 15, at 5pm for all registrants. This networking event will also include a variety of topics or caucus tables. The business session, including voting, will take place from 9am-5pm on Saturday, May 16. Your registration ticket covers both days. Both in-person and virtual attendance are available. For those who would like to attend the Friday reception and stay overnight, we are happy to work with you on accommodations. Please contact Abby Hertzler for more information about hotel accommodations or the possibility of staying with a League member in Salem. Although hotel room availability is now limited, League members can still receive the discounts on available rooms by calling the Grand Hotel at 503-540-7800 to inquire about room openings. Please refer to the "League of Women Voters of Oregon Council" when making your inquiry. We look forward to seeing you there! Register Here!

If your League has local events that you would like listed here, please send them to Lindsay LaPlante to be included below. ⭐LWV of Clackamas County LWV of Clackamas County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Coos County LWV of Coos County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Corvallis LWV of Corvallis Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Curry County LWV of Curry County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Deschutes County LWV of Deschutes County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Klamath County LWV of Klamath County Events ⭐LWV of Lane County LWV of Lane County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Lincoln County LWV of Lincoln County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Linn County Unit LWV of Linn County Unit Facebook page ⭐LWV of Marion and Polk Counties LWV of Marion and Polk Counties Events Page ⭐LWV of Portland LWV of Portland Website ⭐LWV of Rogue Valley LWV of Rogue Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Union County Unit LWV of Union County Unit Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Umpqua Valley LWV of Umpqua Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Washington County Unit LWV of Washington County Unit Facebook page

⭐LWV of Clackamas County LWV of Clackamas County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Coos County LWV of Coos County Events Calendar April 8 - 4pm at Sprague Community Theater in collaboration with LWV of Curry County A Conversation with Tobias Read, Secretary of State ⭐LWV of Corvallis LWV of Corvallis Events Calendar April 18th - 10am at Albany Riverfront Community Center and April 25th - 11am at Corvallis Community Center The NAACP is presenting two town halls exploring the impacts of federal actions on Oregonians. This event is co-sponsored by Indivisible, Rural Organizing Project, and the LWV of Corvallis. Concurrent sessions will address issues including health care, housing, voting integrity, support of veterans and more. Click here for more information on both sessions. ⭐LWV of Curry County LWV of Curry County Events Calendar April 8 - 4pm at Sprague Community Theater in collaboration with LWV of Coos County A Conversation with Tobias Read, Secretary of State ⭐LWV of Deschutes County LWV of Deschutes County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Klamath County LWV of Klamath County Events ⭐LWV of Lane County LWV of Lane County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Lincoln County LWV of Lincoln County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Linn County Unit LWV of Linn County Unit Facebook page ⭐LWV of Marion and Polk Counties LWV of Marion and Polk Counties Events Page ⭐LWV of Portland LWV of Portland Website ⭐LWV of Rogue Valley LWV of Rogue Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Union County Unit LWV of Union County Unit Events Calendar April 27 - 6pm at La Grande High School Auditorium Election Integrity Town Hall with Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read ⭐LWV of Umpqua Valley LWV of Umpqua Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Washington County Unit LWV of Washington County Unit Facebook page

Jean Pierce, Action Chair You can review the status of the LWVOR testimony submitted in the 2026 Legislative Session by clicking  here . Fourteen of the bills which we supported passed, and five which we opposed did not advance. LWVOR issued Action Alerts for 17 bills this year. A major focus this session was on legislation addressing issues that arose with recent ICE raids. The Governor signed a bill requiring public schools in Oregon to educate immigrants ( SB 1538 ). The League is also pleased that bills concerning the following issues passed both chambers and await the Governor’s signature: Public schools need to inform people when ICE is present on the campus ( HB 4079 ) Hospitals need to designate areas where healthcare professionals and patients are safe from ICE ( SB 1570 ) Law enforcement agents must display an ID and cannot cover their faces except in certain circumstances ( HB 4138 ) A person can sue a law enforcement agent who comes on their property without a warrant or an exception ( HB 4114 ) Two of the healthcare bills which the League supported and passed both chambers stipulate that insurance coverage must be provided for required immunizations ( SB 1598 ) and that people seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care have legal protections ( HB 4088 ). A “partial disconnect” bill which passed both chambers ensures that some Oregon taxes no longer mirror the federal tax structure ( SB 1507 ), so our state does not lose so much revenue due to provisions of HR1 (the “Big Beautiful Bill”). Despite constant pressure from the League and Honest Elections, a bill was passed which undid provisions and delayed implementation of campaign finance reform legislation passed in 2024. With other good governance organizations, the League is urging the Governor to veto the bill ( HB 4018 ).

A report is now available for League members describing issues regarding the education of exceptional learners in K-12 education. This is the first of three parts of the K-12 study. You can find the materials  HERE  or click on the Studies tab on the LWVOR.org website. It is anticipated that printed copies of the report will be shared with local Leagues in 2-3 weeks. Studying the reports and reaching consensus regarding issues is essential for the League’s advocacy efforts. Every action that the League takes is based on a League position. Current LWVOR positions can be found in  Issues for Action . Here is the timeline for the Exceptional Learners part of the study: Local Leagues are being asked to hold consensus meetings and submit reports from those meetings by June 30 Then a Member Agreement Committee will take those reports and use the feedback to craft the final wording for position statements regarding Exceptional Learners The LWVOR Board will be asked whether it agrees with the wording. When it does, the Action Committee will be able to begin using the new position for advocacy. Finally, delegates to the 2027 LWVOR Convention will vote whether to accept or reject the position statements. Materials for the K-12 School Safety study will be shared with Leagues by July and consensus reports will be due September 30.  Materials for the K-12 Career and Technical Education study will be shared with Leagues by November and consensus reports will be due January 31.

📝  New Default Member Question A new default registration question has been added:  “What motivated you to join the League?” Members answer this the first time they log into the portal, helping identify trends in recruitment. Leagues can  edit, remove, or add questions  under  Member Registration Questions . Existing members won’t see new questions unless LWVUS resets them (contact  membership@lwv.org  if needed). 🔁  Auto-Renewal Notifications Updates and fixes to auto-renew reminders: Reminder emails (sent 30 days before renewal) are now working correctly; missed reminders for members within 1–29 days were sent retroactively. Notifications for  failed auto-renew payments  are not currently sending. Payments will retry automatically, but members are not being alerted. In the meantime, treat affected members as  active —renewal dates can be adjusted once payment issues are resolved. 📘  Admin Guide Update The latest Admin Guide includes a new section on the  Finances screen , along with minor clarifications throughout. 💵  Shortfall Mitigation (“Make-Whole”) LWVUS is issuing payments to Leagues that received less dues revenue under the new model than they would have previously. Eligible Leagues’ treasurers should have received an email. If you believe your League qualifies but did not receive notice, contact  membership@lwv.org  or submit the provided form. More details are available in the Admin Guide. Helpful Links 📌   LWVUS Member Portal Resources 📌   LWVUS Membership Portal Updates 📌   LWV Member Portal Administrator’s Guide 📌   Automatic Emails from ChapterSpot (PDF) For specific membership questions, contact membership@lwv.org .

I have been back for three weeks from Europe. I took a personal retreat of over a month with my bride of 49 years, Roseann.  Agreed to prior to my interim appointment, the purpose of this trip was the pursuit of personal health, refreshment of perspective and to spur motivation.   To enhance wellbeing, my gracious hosts insisted on a complete separation from social media, news or any attachment to outside obligations.  They have experienced first hand the scientific evidence that overwhelmingly supports such periodic and complete respite.  It was successful! I have been out of touch and now I'm back refreshed, renewed, invigorated.  I am so very grateful for all my colleagues' patience and support during this time.  What a tribute to this league's able leadership, resiliency and very principles! I was deeply moved by the graciousness, empathy and curiosity of the European people we engaged with.  The overwhelming interest was to understand rather than condemn, critique, or judge. They predominantly share our fears and concerns.  When I relayed all your works through the League they responded with obvious relief and hopefulness.  In these last couple weeks, I’ve re-engaged with the League and the public sphere and I see more and more reasons for us to hold on to hope as well.  Our planning for the future effectiveness of LWVOR proceeded with a landmark Budget Committee proposal that will be deliberated by all members at Council May 16.  The 2026 - 2027 LWVOR budget and new staff proposal can position us to deliver on the promise of each of the eight priorities in the LWVOR 2025 - 2030 Strategic Plan.  Keep an eye on your e-mail for the 2026 Council Workbook  -  Managing Through Currents of Change - Continued.  Although a dizzying pace, the short legislative session was successful for many of the issues our outstanding Advocacy members followed and weighed in on.  Membership and especially youth participation continue to grow.  Our voter registration at judicial naturalization ceremonies continues unabated.  Each year our state and local leagues Observer Corps attend and report on more and more public meetings statewide.  One local League has separated its Observer Corps reports from monthly newsletters so it wouldn't become a book.  As I write, Voter Services is populating the VOTE411 platform with over 20 statewide ballot measures and a myriad of candidate profiles for the May primary Voters Guide.   Nationally the League is mobilized to push back on the unconstitutional federal overreach into the states rights to register voters and conduct accessible, safe, fair, and efficient elections.  Our local Leagues and the LWVOR Board are prepared to send a full complement of delegates and observers to the national LWVUS Convention in Columbus Ohio, June 25 through 28. Here and across the country, we continue to work effectively to defend democracy and empower voters.  If it feels like a lot, it is.  We should be proud of our efforts and the outcomes, another great reason for us to have hope, because our work clearly brings hope to many others.  In League, Mark Kendall LWVOR President

Date:  February 25, 2026 To: All LWVOR Members From: Barbara Klein, LWVOR Acting President Jean Pierce, LWVOR Action Chair Take Action Contact your Legislators about important bills this Legislative Session! Click here to find your legislators DEADLINE: ASAP Action Items Contact Your Legislators Find Your Legislators Here! Talking Points Many important bills have been approved in the first chamber of the legislature and are now in the second chamber. Bills are moving quickly in this short session, and your legislators could be asked to vote on them SOON . Please click on the links to learn how you can advocate concerning bills which LWVOR is supporting or opposing this term. Bills are organized by  LWVOR Legislative Priority .   Click on a bill for details and talking points . ⬇️   ASSURE ADEQUATE REVENUE   ​ SB 1507 A:  Partial Disconnect from Federal Taxes - SUPPORT   PROTECT DEMOCRACY   ​ SB 1509:  Replacing Faithless Electors in the Electoral College - SUPPORT HB 4018 : A “Technical Fixes” to Campaign Finance - OPPOSE   SUPPORT HEALTHCARE/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SB 1598:  Health Benefit Plans cover recommended vaccines - SUPPORT HB 4088 A:  Legal Protections for reproductive or gender-affirming care - SUPPORT   SUPPORT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION SB 1538 A:  Provide Education for Immigrants - SUPPORT HB 4149 A:  Enroll and Provide Services for Homeless Students - SUPPORT   SUPPORT NATURAL RESOURCES   HB 4134 A:  Increasing State Lodging Tax to Protect Wildlife - SUPPORT SB 1586:  Omnibus Land Use, Tax Credits and Changes in Permitting - OPPOSE HB 4153 A:  Use of farm land for commercial stores – OPPOSE HB 4105:  Set Timber Harvest Levels on State Forestland - OPPOSE   ADDRESS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY   SB 1526 A:  Fund for Oregon Resilience, Growth, and Energy - SUPPORT SB 1541:  Make Polluters Pay - SUPPORT   PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY  SB 1530:  Threatening a Public Official is Harassment - SUPPORT HB 4114 A:  Rules for Operations of Federal Agents or Agents from Another State in Oregon - SUPPORT HB 4145 A:  Modifies Firearm Permit Provisions of Ballot Measure 114 - SUPPORT HB 4138 A:  Requires IDs and Prohibits Face Coverings for Law Enforcement Agents - SUPPORT For questions and to volunteer, please contact  lwvor@lwvor.org .

Our 2026 League of Women Voters of Oregon Council Meeting is scheduled for a single day, Saturday May 16, at the Historic Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 661 in Salem, Oregon. Battlefield Veterans Post Commander Rick Breen, Vice Commander Dean Howes, Women’s Veterans Outreach Coordinator Margaret Estella Garcia and Veterans’ Services Representative Rosy Macias will be enthusiastically welcoming us all at opening ceremonies. We again hope to have the Girl Scouts Color Guard, which may be joined by the Boy Scouts this year. This is an important addition, since one focus of our new President Mark Kendall and Board Member Evan Tucker is to feature the importance of male members in our organization.  Several items of importance:   Hosting:  We are developing a local LWV-Marion Polk and friends “Host B & B” option, to provide members traveling long distances with friendly accommodations. Travel is expensive.  Local hosts are so much appreciated.  To offer to host, please contact me with your particulars at eileen.lwv@gmail.com .  Please put 2026 LWVO COUNCIL B&B HOST OFFERING  in the subject line.  Need Hosting:  If you need hosting, please contact me at eileen.lwv@gmail.com  with NEED HOSTING: 2026 LWVO COUNCIL Hotel/Motel Accommodations : I will also be working on researching hotel/motel accommodation close to our meeting site for discounts for those of you traveling with families, etc. Please stay tuned. Eileen Burke-Trent LWVOR Events Chair

⭐LWV of Clackamas County  LWV of Clackamas County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Coos County  LWV of Coos County Events Calendar March 7 - 10:30am to 12pm at Umpqua Hall on the SWOCC Campus in Coos Bay The League of Women Voters of Coos County will be hosting a discussion with the Honorable Megan Jacquot, Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals, and the Honorable Martin E. Stone, Judge of the Circuit Court of Coos and Curry Counties.  The judges will offer their insights on the Constitutional role of the courts within the structure of government. Click here for more information. ⭐LWV of Corvallis  LWV of Corvallis Events Calendar March 4 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Corvallis-Benton County Public Library The League of Women Voters of Corvallis is co-sponsoring a Town Hall on Universal Health Care. This interactive session will explore: What are the current gaps in our health care system? What additional challenges may arise with cuts in federal funding? What is Oregon’s Universal Health Plan Governance Board proposing? Community members will have the opportunity to hear directly from experts engaged in this work and to submit questions in advance or during the event. Click here for more information. ⭐LWV of Curry County LWV of Curry County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Deschutes County   LWV of Deschutes County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Klamath County   LWV of Klamath County Events  ⭐LWV of Lane County  LWV of Lane County Events Calendar March 24 - 11:30am to 1:00pm at Marquis Community Room Speaker Series: Representative Lisa Fragala, Oregon House District 8. Click here for more information. ⭐LWV of Lincoln County  LWV of Lincoln County Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Linn County Unit  LWV of Linn County Unit Facebook page ⭐LWV of Marion and Polk Counties  LWV of Marion and Polk Counties Events Page ⭐LWV of Portland  LWV of Portland Website March 4 - 6:30pm to 8pm, via Zoom Our March 2026 Community Education Panel: Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy. Registration is required for all members and the public. Click here for more information. ⭐LWV of Rogue Valley  LWV of Rogue Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Union County Unit LWV of Union County Unit Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Umpqua Valley LWV of Umpqua Valley Events Calendar ⭐LWV of Washington County Unit  LWV of Washington County Unit Facebook page

This month, I’m stepping in for Mark, our state President, who is away.  While I’m officially writing as 1 st Vice President, I am taking the opportunity to address our members wearing another of my hats – lead of our strategic goal to “avoid burnout.”    We hear it all the time, in different ways.  Many of us are feeling this elusive burnout.   League work asks for a lot of heart, a lot of attention, and (sometimes) a lot of late-night “just one more thing” energy. When the work is urgent and the stakes are real, it’s easy to normalize overload. But exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor and it isn’t a sustainable operating model. If we want to keep showing up for voters and for each other, we have to treat resilience as part of the work, not something we’ll “get to” later. One practical shift we’re prioritizing is building in partnership and shared ownership so projects don’t sit on one person’s shoulders. That means expanding the volunteer bench, pairing people up where possible, and designing work so someone can step away or even take a vacation (gasp) without everything stalling. Sometimes we may even have to consider setting limits that mean not everything gets done. We also strive to be thoughtful about staff capacity, because the same dynamics that burn out volunteers can burn out staff, too. The goal is a League where support is normal and backup is built-in. I hope we can endeavor to be a League that is truly a community (work, success, support, purpose and maybe even camaraderie or fun). As we build clearer roles and shared ownership, my hope is that every volunteer and staff member will feel supported (not stretched thin) so that our work remains sustainable for the long run. And so that our purpose may provide us strength , energy and inspiration .  In League, Barbara Klein 1st Vice President

Advocating for Wildlife Conservation at the Capitol by Lily Yao and Zev Wacks, LWV of Lane County and LWVOR Youth Council Members  On February 11, we visited the Oregon State Capitol for a Wildlife Action Day in support of “1.25% for Wildlife,” or HB 4134 . This bipartisan bill would raise Oregon’s transient lodging tax by 1.25% to secure dedicated funding for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is expected to raise roughly $30 million each year, while maintaining Oregon’s rank as having the third lowest transient lodging tax in the country. Such funding would go toward Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund, the Oregon Conservation Corps, invasive species response, anti-poaching efforts, and other programs. At the Wildlife Action Day, we met with Representative Fragala and a member of Senator Prozanski's staff.  Representative Fragala was Lily’s second grade teacher, so it was wonderful to "reconnect" with her while advocating for an issue we all care deeply about! Our climate work has largely been informed by our role as Regional Leaders with Our Future , a statewide youth climate action network.  We are both members of Our Future’s Legislative Team, where we have hosted Testimony Workshops for high school youth and created testimony guides for climate-related legislation.  This session, we hope to encourage members of the LWVOR Youth Council to submit testimony for climate-related bills on the docket. YOUTH VOICES FOR IMPACT ON LEGISLATION: SB1574 FIRST TIME VOTERS ACT by BROOKLYN CARR HEUER, ELIZAVETA ROTT,  MARWA DAHER, AND OLIVIA HAN SB 1574 would permit 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the date of the consecutive general election to participate in primary elections.  The League believes that elections should be conducted in a manner that encourages voter participation.  Youth Council members who feel strongly about this issue researched, formulated and submitted testimony to Senator Kayse Jama, Chair, and Senator Bruce Starr, Vice Chair and Members of the Senate Rules Committee.    There were a few political reality checkpoints to the process however!  The public hearing on SB 1574 was cancelled for opportunities to speak remotely or in person in Salem at this time,  though they welcomed written testimony to the campaign and to the Senate Rules Committee.  Everyone on this team is hopeful to be included in an Informational Hearing that the Senate Rules Committee will schedule BEFORE the 2027 Oregon Legislature. The message from the First Time Voters Act campaign illustrates even more: We had a very insightful, constructive, and intensive conversation about the issue of public disclosure laws regarding minors (as it relates to this bill), as well as a general conversation about what it will take to build some consensus on this topic. The folks on the call, including Next Up Action Fund, felt that convening an informal workgroup makes the most sense to further research what other states do, understand the full scope of potential consequences, and make an informed decision about a policy approach. Ultimately, the short session has not been conducive to the time needed to explore this further.   After debriefing the coalition conversation as an advocacy team, as well as discussing with our key Chief Sponsor's office (Sen. Gorsek's Chief of Staff), we feel that it’s best to ask for an informational hearing post-session rather than move forward with a public hearing this short session.   While it is unfortunate, we feel that this pivot will offer a more strategic, effective, and aligned approach next time. All the conversations and work that took place these past few months have been invaluable and will only set us up for success down the road.    If you have any concerns about this decision, please reach out. We are truly grateful for your time and energy on this effort, and look forward to convening a workgroup with even more stakeholders (including more political parties, more impacted young people, etc.), as well as creating a formal committee structure for the next iteration of this effort.    If you were working with any young people who took the time to write testimony about this bill, please connect them with us. We still want to ensure they can share their story on why youth voting matters to them with their legislators and are happy to support Brooklyn Carr Heuer, Elizaveta Rott, Marwa Daher and Olivia Han with appreciation. The conversation to lower the voting age is still very much alive!

💰  New Finances Screen A new  Finances  screen is now available to help treasurers reconcile accounts. It includes four searchable tabs: Stripe Transactions  – View all Stripe payments to your League, filter by date, and see gross amount, fees, net amount, items included (dues, contributions), and transaction IDs. Dues  – See all dues payments (online and check), including total paid across local/state/national levels, payment method, notes (auto-renew, subsidy, multiple members), and transaction ID. Offline Payments  – Track check payments entered by your League, searchable by invoice number (MPS), with status (paid/pending), check number, and who entered the payment. Contributions  – View donations made during join/renew, with member name, date, and amount. State Leagues will see slight variations, including separate tabs for local League dues and direct state members-at-large. A walkthrough recording will be available on the Member Portal Resources page. 🧠  Membership Brainstorming Series LWVUS is launching a pilot program to collaborate with a small group of local Leagues on recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies. Participating Leagues will test ideas and help shape a membership toolkit to be shared nationally. Interested Leagues can sign up to participate or share existing resources. 📇  Roster Screen Change & Other Adjustments In response to feedback: The  Last Login  column has been removed from the roster screen (still available in exports and on individual contact pages). Member registration answers can now be  filtered by date , and long responses wrap for easier reading. A  verification step  has been added when entering offline dues payments to help prevent accidental entries. 💬  New Groups.io Discussion Groups Building on the success of the treasurers group, three new leader discussion groups have launched:  membership, communications, and presidents . Invitations were sent to leaders in those roles, and additional participants can join through the portal resources page. Helpful Links 📌   LWVUS Member Portal Resources 📌   LWVUS Membership Portal Updates 📌   LWV Member Portal Administrator’s Guide (updated 1/7/26) 📌   Automatic Emails from ChapterSpot (PDF) For specific membership questions, contact membership@lwv.org .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 26, 2026 Contact: mockelection@lwvor.org League of Women Voters of Oregon Invites Educators to Register for 2026 Oregon Student Mock Election The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) invites educators across the state to register their students for the 2026 Primary Oregon Student Mock Election (OSME) for Grades 6–12. The nonpartisan mock election is hosted by LWVOR and endorsed by the Oregon Secretary of State. By request, teachers from Grades 4 and 5 are also welcome to register their students. The student voting window for the 2026 Spring Primary is May 1–10. LWVOR will be flexible and supportive of teachers who need to hold their election earlier. Student ballots are expected to be ready in mid-April, or as soon as access to the official ballot content becomes available. LWVOR has made it easy for teachers to sign up and begin receiving information about the mock election. Educators can register a class, department, or entire school with one click on the REGISTER button at www.lwvor.org/mock-election. To register, teachers need only provide a school contact name, email address, school name, student grade(s), and the approximate number of participating students. Registration is open now and will automatically trigger a personal response from OSME Coordinator Mimi Alkire. Teachers are also encouraged to contact her directly with questions or comments at mimi.alkire@gmail.com  or mockelection@lwvor.org . For the mock election, LWVOR will provide official ballots, individualized teacher support, and extensive resources through the curriculum section of its website. Located just below the REGISTER button, the curriculum section includes LWVOR’s award-winning Civics Education curriculum and Oregon Social Studies Standards–based lesson plans to help students better understand how democracy works. After holding their mock election, teachers (and/or students) will count their class's votes and report the results using a simple submission form provided by LWVOR. LWVOR will compile and release the statewide results to participating teachers and to the media simultaneously. Even if one teacher registers on behalf of a department or school, individual teachers may report their class results separately. All ballots will be approved by the Oregon Secretary of State and typically include one federal race, one state race, and one statewide ballot measure. While most educators choose this streamlined three-item ballot, LWVOR provides space for an optional local race or ballot measure. Schools and districts may request a personalized ballot that includes a fourth item relevant to their community. In past mock elections, students have voted on races for mayors, county commissioners, elections officials, school or park bonds, and, in some cases, an additional federal or state contest upon request. LWVOR encourages educators to share this opportunity with colleagues and to mark their calendars for the 2026 General Election mock election, which LWVOR will host next October–November. For more information or to register, visit: www.lwvor.org/mock-election . ### 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.

Date:  February 17, 2026 To: All LWVOR Members From: Barbara Klein, LWVOR Acting President Jean Pierce, LWVOR Action Chair Norman Turrill, Governance Specialist Take Action Contact   your State Legislators ( Click here to find your legislators ) and tell them to oppose HB 4018 A DEADLINE: ASAP Action Items Contact Your Legislators and Tell Them to Oppose HB 4018 A Find Your Legislators Here! Talking Points Tell Legislators why you oppose HB 4018 A   We are asking all League members throughout Oregon to help stop this damaging bill. This bill betrays the agreement made in 2024 for withdrawing Initiative Petition 9 in exchange for passage of HB 4024 and agreeing to work on technical fixes without policy changes.  The bill allows large special interest organizations to continue dominating campaign finance in Oregon while still limiting individual contributors. It substantially erodes the financial disclosure requirements and further delays implementation for 4 years.  The wording was developed in secret without collaboration with good government groups or national experts.  Background: During the last hour of the last day of the 2024 legislative session, HB 4024 on CFR was passed into law. It was forced by the threat of an Initiative Petition that had gathered some 100,000 signatures. This followed a constitutional amendment passed by 78% of voters in 2020 that allowed campaign finance reform. For questions and to volunteer, please contact  lwvor@lwvor.org .

🔢  MPS Numbers & Other Adjustments Several small improvements were made to the portal: MPS invoice numbers  for check-paid dues are now visible on the  Paid/Resolved  tab of  Members with Pending Payments , making it easier to identify which member a payment applies to. Clearer language appears on the membership card when a member logs in with a different email, prompting them to try another email or contact their League to confirm which email is on the roster. Life – No expiration  now displays on two lines in the roster to shorten the column and improve readability. Transfer notifications  now go to the president, treasurer, membership chair, and roster manager at both the sending and receiving Leagues, in addition to the member and the person initiating the transfer. 💵  Pending Check Payments Offline check payments will now be  removed after 90 days  if a check is not received. When this happens, the pending payment is removed from the portal and the member’s expiration date reverts to its prior value (this reset currently requires staff action, so there may be a brief delay). All check payments older than 90 days have already been cleared. 📘  Updated Admin Guide & Make-Whole Information A new version of the Admin Guide is available, including expanded information on  shortfall mitigation (“make-whole”)  and updates covering league-paid membership, gift membership, auto-renew, troubleshooting tips, clarifications around Life membership, checkout screen language, and other recent portal changes. 🔁  Auto-Renew & League-Paid Membership Two major features are now live: Auto-renew  sends members a reminder 30 days before their renewal processes, and members can view or manage upcoming renewals in their profile. League-paid membership  allows Leagues to pay dues on behalf of members directly in the portal, supporting subsidies, locally deposited checks, and payments for members who do not log in themselves. Helpful Links 📌   LWVUS Member Portal Resources 📌   LWVUS Membership Portal Updates 📌   LWV Member Portal Administrator’s Guide 📌   Automatic Emails from ChapterSpot (PDF) For specific membership questions, contact membership@lwv.org .

SALEM, OR  — The League of Women Voters of Oregon has issued a formal response to the Department of Homeland Security regarding proposed changes to traveler data collection for Form I-94 and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The League warns that new "blanket data disclosure requirements" for all foreign visitors could discourage travel to the state, potentially harming Oregon’s tourism-dependent economy. These concerns are rooted in the League's call for strong cybersecurity protections to ensure economic stability and to protect personal data. Under the federal proposal, visitors would be required to submit an unprecedented amount of personal data through a mobile app using geolocation and near-field communication for sensitive biometrics, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and DNA. Required "high value data fields" include: Five years of social media history, Five years of personal and business phone numbers Ten years of both types of email addresses. Detailed family information—including parents, spouses, siblings, and children—for their birth dates and places, residences, and phone numbers.  The League expressed significant concern that the proposal lacks clear standards or limits for how long this data will be retained. This omission poses risks to personal privacy and increases government administration costs for storing and protecting "big data". Further, the League emphasized that collection and use of personal information must remain consistent with its original purpose and should not cause harm to individuals. The formal comment also highlights concerns regarding legal oversight and the potential for these data collection processes to be used for the surveillance of groups beyond international travelers. The League notes that biometric screening technologies are known to underperform with reduced reliability for non-Caucasian individuals, raising questions about the fairness and accuracy of the system. Contact: lwvor@lwvor.org 503-581-5722 League of Women Voters of Oregon