League of Women Voters of Oregon Invites Educators to Register for 2026 Oregon Student Mock Election

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.

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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.