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The State League pays monthly for a Pro Zoom account, which lets us host meetings of up to 100 participants with no limit on meeting time. State Zoom account is available on a first come, first served basis. Default meeting time is one hour - please contact us at lwvor@lwvor.org if you need more time.

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

Voter Education forums from the League of Women Voters. / Voter Education Forums / Voter Education Forums Primary Election 2026 Planning for candidate and ballot measure forums is underway! New events are added here daily. Click on a tab below to view both upcoming events and recorded candidate interviews for your area. Clackamas Coos Co. Corvallis Curry Deschutes Co. Lane Co. Marion/Polk Co. Portland Rogue Valley Umpqua Valley Washington County More at https://my.lwv.org/oregon/coos-county Candidate and Ballot Measure forums More at https://lwvcurry.org/ October 7, 2024 7:00 pm. Port Orford Candidate Forum City Hall Council Chambers 555 West 20th Street, Port Orford October 8, 2024 7:00 pm. Gold Beach Candidate Forum Curry Public Library 94341 3rd St, Gold Beach October 9, 2024 7:00 pm. Brookings Candidate Forum Chetco Community Public Library 405 Alder St., Brookings More at https://leaguewomenvotersmarionpolk.org/ City of Keizer Mayor https://youtu.be/QRo9Wm18eJo Candidate Cathy Clark (NP) https://youtu.be/ueO-tF2_sC8 Candidate Lore Christopher (NP) Keizer City Council Position 1 https://youtu.be/U3QSGOe4d4M Candidate Marlene Parsons (NP) https://youtu.be/bbAamYD2YTg Candidate Tammy Kunz (NP) Marion County Sheriff https://youtu.be/G5mN_JfP1hg Candidate Stacy Rejaian Oregon House District 17 https://youtu.be/yWt70xEBH0k Candidate Ed Diehl (R) Oregon House District 18 https://youtu.be/RXqQeYUpauo Candidate Karyssa Dow (D) Oregon House District 19 https://youtu.be/OcgUNC1nx8s Candidate Tom Andersen (D, I) Oregon House District 20 https://youtu.be/EXvBhucJz8M Candidate Paul Evans (D, I) https://youtu.be/VUqnkFpxSz8 Candidate Kevin Chambers (R) Oregon House District 21 https://youtu.be/0w2lVL-11Uc Candidate Kevin Mannix (R) https://youtu.be/mUxVCrO_YbU Candidate Virginia Stapleton (D, I, WFP) Oregon House District 22 https://youtu.be/8ym9W7fP0oo Candidate Lesly Muñoz (D, WFP) Oregon Senate District 9 https://youtu.be/923ol6L_VC4 Candidate Mike Ashland (D) U.S. Congressional District 6 https://youtu.be/90AX_VycI8Y Candidate Andrea Salinas (D,I) https://youtu.be/TokvdL1rsus Candidate Mike Erickson (R) U.S. Congressional District 5 https://youtu.be/DzKWRFya4FU Candidate Brett Smith (I, WFP) 2024 General Election Oregon Ballot Measures Program https://youtu.be/v4U9v9RMWDo More at https://lwvpdx.org/ Find over 99 Portland area forum recordings on the LWVPDX Youtube Channel . More at: https://www.lwvdeschutes.org/ Watch Deschutes LWV YouTube channel Deschutes' Candidate Forum recordings More at: https://my.lwv.org/oregon/clackamas-county Clackamas County Candidates-Interviews and Forums More at https://lwvuv.org/events/ Roseburg City Council on Wed, Oct. 23 at the Roseburg Public Library Learn more at https://lwv-washco.org/ Video Voters' Guide More at https://lwvrv.org/ October 9, 12:00-2pm Voter registration Rogue Community College October 10, 6:00pm Candidate Forum Oct. 10 – Oregon Senate District 2 Noah Robinson of Cave Junction (incumbent) and Tracy Thompson, moderated by LWVRV Voter Services Chair Kathleen Donham Redwood Grange, #760 1830 Redwood Ave., Grants Pass October 13, 12:30pm Ranked Choice Voting presentation Mountain Avenue Theater, Ashland High School, 201 S Mountain Ave, Ashland, OR 97520 October 13, 2:00pm Ashland City Council Election Forum Mountain Avenue Theater, Ashland High School, 201 S Mountain Ave, Ashland, OR 97520 October 22, 7:00pm Medford Mayor and City Council Forum First Presbyterian Church, Medford More at https://lwvcorvallis.org/ Corvallis City Council Ward 3 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 7 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 9 Candidate Forum Benton County Commissioner Candidate Forum House District 16 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 1 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 2 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 6 Candidate Forum More at: https://lwvlc.org/voter-information/ Watch Candidate Videos and Ballot Measure Presentations

Read our recent LWVOR studies and related resources. / Studies / Studies Recently Published K-12 Exceptional Learners K-12 Exceptional Learners is the first of 3 reports examining different aspects of K-12 education. The purpose of these reports is to provide background information on Exceptional Learners, School Safety, and Career and Technical Education. Recently Published Assessing the Recall Process In Oregon The League of Women Voters of Oregon conducts voter education and pro-democracy advocacy, and believes it is critical to understand the potential consequences of the recall process as part of our elections framework. Recently Published Childcare Methods Study Update 2023 The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on January 25th, 2023. The position was updated in 2025. Child care concerns have changed dramatically since our 1988 - Childcare In Oregon publication. Recently Published Election Methods Study Update 2023 The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on February 10th, 2023. You can find the downloadable copy of the study here. Recently Published Privacy and Cybersecurity 2020 We are working to defend democracy from escalating cyber-attacks and disinformation. Policy debates are determining the future of our democracy, the internet, and privacy. Recently Published Pesticides and Other Biocides 2021 The LWVOR Board adopted a completed restudy of the Pesticides and Other Biocides position on January 19th, 2023. Recently Published! We study issues... Because we need detailed, reliable, carefully researched information. So LWV members and citizens can reach their own conclusions. To develop advocacy positions that can be used by our Action Team. To request a hard copy of any of these reports, contact LWV of Oregon at lwvor@lwvor.org . Reports are free; however, there is a small charge to cover shipping. Some quantities may be limited. Many college and community libraries have copies as well. You can find additional League studies, including national and other state studies, at the LWVUS Study Clearinghouse website . Looking for more? Find our complete list of studies online. Study Archive Sign Up For Email We Need Your Support Today! Donate Your donation empowers voters and defends democracy.

The League of Women Voters of Oregon seeks to empower voters to understand governmental issues and to participate in the political process. STAY INFORMED! Sign up for all League communications and newsletters here! Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. Youth Civic Engagement Join the League Legislative Reports Read Our Studies Latest News League Promotional Items For Sale League Updates April 2026 Local League and State Unit Events Recap of the 2026 Legislative Session Voter Newsletter Read More LWV Urges Congress to Exercise Its Authority Read the Letter To become a member, join one of 15 local Leagues and Units in Oregon. Learn more about join ing Oregon's Sanctuary Law: Know Your Rights Learn more Attend An Event See Events Check out upcoming public events happening around the state. Events are hosted by LWVOR and other Oregon Leagues.