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Tracking League Priorities and Community Impact LWVOR has produced a Volunteer Data Collection Form for Leagues to enter their event activities, volunteer hours, and other information as part of the LWVUS Annual League Survey . We received feedback from several people that the provided data tracking spreadsheet is complicated to use so we offer   our new form as an alternative. At the end of the calendar year, all data will be shared with local Leagues and LWVUS.  Note: If your League is already tracking data and you have a system that works for you, there is no need to complete this form. Also, we would happily provide a copy of this form for your League to use if you prefer. Report The True Value Of Contributions To Our Communities And For Grant Funding Volunteer hours can translate into an exact value* that can help meet matching requirements or give funders an idea of what the League could do with more resources. *Important to show how effective the organization is in achieving its mission.   Illustrate A More Complete Picture Of Volunteer Impact Tracking will answer key questions for donors:  Why should they donate to your organization over others?  Track volunteer time to understand, internally, where volunteers are making the most impact. Data-based evidence on which program or activity volunteers are most effective can steer better decisions for where to invest more time, training and investment.   Recognize And Retain Incredible Volunteers Some volunteers just like to know how much of a difference their time makes.  Recognizing volunteer efforts highlighting certain involvement milestones or making it easy to define their contribution to an individual or team accomplishment is always appreciated.  These gestures help build closer teams and communities and increase retention, a common challenge for nonprofits. We hope the form simplifies the process of collecting your event and program details, so we can all better understand League priorities and community impact. Questions about the form or want to email your results to us directly? Contact us at media@lwvor.org

Date: March 18, 2025 To: All LWVOR members From:  Barbara Klein, Acting President, LWVOR Jean Pierce, Action Chair Patricia Garner, Portfolio Advocate Take Action: Contact House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee  and Support HB 3187 Request:  Schedule and hold a Work Session so that committee members can vote in support of HB 3187 . If a Work Session isn’t scheduled by THIS FRIDAY, March 21st, and held by April 9th, the bill will not proceed any further in this Legislative Session. Deadline:  March 20 Talking Points This bill is important because:  1. Even though older workers provide value by hard work, competence, and experience, there is an all-too-common presumption that it’s time for the older workers to move on and allow someone else to fill the slot. This must stop–older Oregonians have to support themselves and their families too.  2. People might say that we already have an age discrimination law. We do, but it’s time to close the legal loophole in this law. Workers should be permitted to introduce evidence of salary disparities, length of service or pension/retirement status. Without that evidence, they can’t prove their case. 3. Employers   should not be able to require disclosure of age or graduation dates by job applicants, unless a conditional offer of employment has been made or the job itself requires it. These days, computers and HR managers routinely reject applications based on age. This isn’t fair!  Additional Information If you need any additional information, go to Oregon's AARP website .  If you have any questions or want to volunteer, please contact lwvor@lwvor.org .

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

By Eileen Burke-Trent, LWVOR Events Chair On February 20th I, along with others in Oregon, attended the LWVUS Zoom in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Selma protests.  This seemed not as much about Selma, as how Selma may inspire us to the work we all face now: overcoming increasing and overt injustice; confronting false information and media manipulation; preventing attacks on our health; defending civil rights; fighting for economic stability; engaging in international relations; protecting our constitution; preserving the checks and balances which protect our democracy that inhibits the potential for fascist control; and so much more. All these protections and more are being overtly and grossly attacked at this time.  So many of us are frustrated but have no idea how to address issues that seem impossible to address.  I am so proud the League of Women Voters looks to become more “present” in their response to these issues of great urgency. As one of the foremost national and international leaders in demanding transparency, fairness, and truth in government, local and state Leagues can find guidance from the national League when they lend their own resolve and plans to address these issues of import and efforts at the local level. At this Zoom event, there was a call to unify  women’s groups and others concerned about the issues above - under the banner, purview, and guidelines of the League. This means local and state Leagues may be supported with information enabling us to reach out more assertively to the public at large and other organizations which may appreciate both our considered guidelines for action, and the great history of performance the League provides. The call from the Selma and League meeting featured an inspired and serious request that we: “Call on our COURAGE.”  “Be prepared to take RISKS.”  Presenters stressed that just “TALKING never won a REVOLUTION.” We were asked to “CHALLENGE false information, and be prepared to LOSE friends by standing up to lies and injustice.”  As the great John  Lewis reminded us, “Fight injustice with LOVE.” I am daily inspired by these calls to action, and by our progenitors, both men and women, who fought for human rights, worker’s rights, children’s rights, and women’s rights - all these and more centered on securing voting rights for women, not ratified until after decades of effort and sacrifice, August of 1920. Our national and statewide efforts, and our 2025 Oregon State Convention, provide an opportunity to address these and other issues in our meetings through our guest speakers, our workshops, and caucuses…now in advanced planning stages. I hope we will all work together in both the coming weeks and the coming years to answer the challenges facing us all. We shall need to step out of our comfort zones, take risks, protest, and exhibit the courage called for in these times, and may painfully need to make sacrifices while rising to the occasion. Looking toward our local future, we need your commitment and volunteerism to work on the Oregon State Convention.  Please do not hesitate to contact me, Eileen Burke-Trent, at eileen.lwv@gmail.com  or by cell/text at 530-228-5557 to participate. Check out the website to register your attendance at www.lwvor.org   and for forthcoming information. I look forward to seeing ALL Oregon League members and leaders at the 2025 League of Women Voters of Oregon Convention May 2-4 in Salem, Oregon. We have a stimulating and power-packed weekend planned (with breaks for social time and getting to know each other), giving us all a great opportunity to work together to make a profound difference in our collective futures. Stay strong. Think positive.  I will see you there!!

We’ve compiled an easy-to-use resource with contact details for all six federal Oregon representatives, including their office phone numbers, mailing addresses, and email contact forms, as well as our two federal senators. This information was last updated on February 27, 2025. For the most current information, please visit their official websites. Senator Jeff Merkley: Washington, D.C. Office: Address: 531 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3753 Fax: (202) 228-3997 Oregon Offices: Baker City: Address: 1705 Main Street, Suite 504, Baker City, OR 97814 Phone: (541) 278-1129 Bend: Address: 131 NW Hawthorne Avenue, Suite 208, Bend, OR 97703 Phone: (541) 318-1298 Eugene: Address: 405 East 8th Avenue, Suite 2010, Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541) 465-6750 Medford: Address: 10 South Bartlett Street, Suite 201, Medford, OR 97501 Phone: (541) 608-9102 Portland: Address: 121 SW Salmon Street, Suite 1400, Portland, OR 97204 Phone: (503) 326-3386 Salem: Address: 500 Liberty Street SE, Suite 320, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: (503) 362-8102 Website:   merkley.senate.gov Senator Ron Wyden: Washington, D.C. Office: Address: 221 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-5244 Fax: (202) 228-2717 Oregon Offices: Bend: Address: The Jamison Building, 131 NW Hawthorne Ave., Suite 107, Bend, OR 97701 Phone: (541) 330-9142 Eugene: Address: 405 East 8th Ave., Suite 2020, Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541) 431-0229 La Grande (temporarily closed): Address: SAC Annex Building, 105 Fir St., Suite 201, La Grande, OR 97850 Phone: (541) 962-7691 Medford: Address: 310 West 6th St., Room 118, Medford, OR 97501 Phone: (541) 858-5122 Portland: Address: 911 NE 11th Ave., Suite 630, Portland, OR 97232 Phone: (503) 326-7525 Salem: Address: 707 13th St. SE, Suite 285, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: (503) 589-4555 Website:   wyden.senate.gov Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District): Washington, D.C. Office: 2231 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-0855 District Office: 12725 SW Millikan Way, Suite 220, Beaverton, OR 97005; Phone: 503-469-6010 Website: bonamici.house.gov Representative Cliff Bentz (2nd District): Washington, D.C. Office: 409 Cannon House Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-6730 District Offices: 14 N Central Ave., Suite 112, Medford, OR 97501; Phone: 541-776-4646; 2340 SW 4th Ave #2, Ontario, OR 97914; Phone: 541-709-2040 Website: bentz.house.gov Representative Maxine Dexter (3rd District): Washington, D.C. Office: 1207 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-4811 District Office: 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232; Phone: (503) 231-2300 Website: dexter.house.gov Representative Val Hoyle (4th District): Washington, D.C. Office: 1620 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-6416 District Office: 940 Willamette St., Suite 520, Eugene, OR 97401; Phone: 541-465-6732 Website: hoyle.house.gov Representative Janelle Bynum (5th District): Washington, D.C. Office: 1508 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-5711 District Office: 502 7th St., Suite 203, Oregon City, OR 97045; Phone: 503-387-8651 Website: bynum.house.gov Representative Andrea Salinas (6th District): Washington, D.C. Office: 403 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C 20515; Phone: 202-225-5643 District Offices: 530 Center St. NE #415, Salem, OR 97301; Phone: 503-385-0906; 18861 SW Martinazzi Ave. #200, Tualatin, OR 97062; Phone: 503-385-0906 Website: salinas.house.gov

Check out the latest information on the ChapterSpot rollout in our newsletter update here .

Check out the latest information on the ChapterSpot rollout in our newsletter update here .

Date: February 5, 2025 To: All LWVOR members From:  Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator Barbara Klein, Portfolio Advocate Request:  Oppose the SAVE Act Please ask your members of Congress to vote NO on the  Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act  which would require citizenship documentation to register to vote.  Please share this with others. 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.

We are thrilled to welcome our new Membership and Development Coordinator, Lindsay LaPlante , who joins us at a pivotal time for the League. With the transition to ChapterSpot, Lindsay’s expertise in grant development, program leadership, and member support will be invaluable. Lindsay will specifically support our Membership, Development, and VOTE411 teams, focusing on member engagement, fundraising efforts, and helping to streamline processes during this transitional period. We are confident she will be a fantastic addition to our team! Reach Lindsay at l.laplante@lwvor.org . Lindsay is contracted to expand our staff coverage while Sarah Andrews  takes parental leave from February 2025 through January 2026. During her leave, Sarah will continue to work reduced hours on strategic communications tasks, including Google Ads, event marketing, and press outreach. She will also monitor her email and encourages members to contact her with questions related to these areas. We wish Sarah well with her leave and look forward to her return on 2-1-26. Reach Sarah at s.andrews@lwvor.org . As part of this transition, Abby Hertzler  will take on an expanded role supporting the LWVOR Action Committee, including coordinating the weekly Legislative Report and assisting our active committee in their testimony efforts. While Abby remains committed to maintaining strong support in all areas of our League work, please note that there may be occasional periods of slower staff response time during the legislative session due to this shifting workload. Reach Abby at a.hertzler@lwvor.org .  Together, Sarah, Abby, and Lindsay are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and continuing to provide consistent support for League members. The team is working closely with the State Board to maintain continuity and advance the League’s mission during this time. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

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

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

LWVOR Youth Council members hosted educational workshops, boosted Oregon Student Mock Election participation, and helped form the first-ever nationwide LWV Youth Council! December 30, 2024 LWVOR extends its deepest gratitude to all the dedicated League volunteers across Oregon who have worked tirelessly to strengthen democracy. This year, our efforts centered on Empowering Voters , the first part of our mission, ensuring Oregonians were informed, engaged, and ready to participate in our democracy. As we look ahead to 2025, our focus will shift to the Defending Democracy  part of our mission, as we address the growing challenges to democratic institutions and processes. As the League of Women Voters of the United States emphasizes, “Our work is grounded in the belief that democracy is stronger when every voice is heard.”  Your commitment this year brought that belief to life, equipping voters with the tools they need to take action and laying the groundwork for the vital defense of democracy in the years ahead. Here’s a look at some of the incredible ways League members made an impact across Oregon in 2024: Voter Engagement and Education VOTE411 volunteers invested hundreds of hours ensuring comprehensive candidate information was accessible in every county. Together, we reached over 133,000 voters statewide with LWVOR election material! League members sent personalized postcards to newly-turned-18 and unaffiliated voters, encouraging them to embrace their role in democracy. Across the state, Leagues organized over 120 voter education events and candidate interviews, reaching diverse audiences and equipping voters with crucial nonpartisan resources. The Marion/Polk League brought civic engagement to life at the Salem Art Fair with their creative Kids’ Voting Booth, which engaged children and families over three days. A new League Unit in Eastern Oregon was formed, inspired by the success of local voter registration events. Rogue Valley members partnered with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, connecting with audiences to promote voter registration and civic awareness. Youth Outreach The 2024 Oregon Student Mock Election registered 33,654 students from 2 elementary schools, 43 middle schools, and 82 high schools, fostering early civic participation. LWVOR Youth Council members hosted educational events around the state and attended LWVUS Convention, laying the groundwork for a brand - new national Youth Council. Community and Advocacy Observer Corps members monitored local governments, providing the public with critical updates on policies, issues, and efforts to protect the integrity of elections. Leagues honored election workers across Oregon with heartfelt Election Hero Day cards, cookies, and festive displays, showing appreciation for their essential role in upholding democracy during the busy election season. Thanks to these efforts, and many more, Oregon continues to lead the nation in voter turnout, a testament to the hard work and dedication of League members. As we reflect on 2024’s accomplishments, we are preparing to shift our focus toward defending democracy in 2025. Together, we will continue to stand against threats to democratic processes, hold our leaders accountable, and protect the rights of every voter. Thank you for standing with us as we move forward.

Lindsay LaPlante, LWVOR's new Membership and Development Coordinator. Lindsay LaPlante joins LWVOR as our Membership and Development Coordinator. You can reach her at l.laplante@lwvor.org . Lindsay LaPlante brings over 15 years of nonprofit leadership and a passion for building equitable, collaborative communities. With a master’s degree in Political and Civic Engagement and extensive experience in grant development, program leadership, and community partnerships, Lindsay has led initiatives that expand opportunities for marginalized groups, foster sustainability, and create systemic change. Her career spans diverse roles, from overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets to coordinating grassroots collaborations that unite organizations around common goals. Lindsay’s work is guided by a deep belief in the power of community-driven solutions and a commitment to fostering meaningful, long-term impact. Originally from Ontario, Canada and now based in North Carolina, Lindsay looks forward to contributing to the League of Women Voters of Oregon as we advance the mission of empowering voters and defending democracy.

DATE:  December 2, 2024 TO:  All League Members FROM: Lisa Bentson, President, LWVOR               Jean Pierce, Chair, Action Committee  Norman Turrill, Coordinator, Governance Portfolio Becky Gladstone, Governance Advocate Contact Senator Jeff Merkley   and Senator Ron Wyden   and urge them to OPPOSE HR 9495 which would grant the Treasury Secretary the authority to suspend the tax-exempt status of organizations deemed “terrorist supporting” without providing meaningful due process. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels. The League further believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. We are requesting that local League members throughout Oregon ask our US Senators to oppose this critical legislation which: Threatens the freedom to dissent  without fear of government retribution Would grant the executive branch new powers  to investigate and functionally shut down and silence its critics Would harm all Americans' free speech and due process right s by creating new executive authorities that could be abused by any presidential administration seeking to terminate the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations arbitrarily

Read the latest All-Members newsletter here .

This article was originally published by KGW. Author: Brittany Falkers Published: 6:30 PM PST November 9, 2020 Updated: 6:32 PM PST November 9, 2020 PORTLAND, Ore. — In her vice president-elect acceptance speech, Kamala Harris thanked those who paved the way for women in politics and set the course for the future generation. “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” she said. Those words resonate with women and girls across the country, no matter what party you are a part of. “I think that it’s amazing that we’re going to have a female vice president,” 11-year-old Alma Ben-Zaken said, “And, actually, we should have had one already.” For the next generation of leaders, Harris’ ascent to the White House will have a profound impact. “I think that’s really inspiring and cool,” 12-year-old Mitzi DuPlain said. “It’s really really, really awesome,” 11-year-old Siri Rettmann said. These three middle schoolers are all part of Girls Count , a non-profit group in Portland that provides programs to inspire girls to be the next generation of innovators, critical thinkers, and decision-makers by giving them opportunities to see academics in action. Mary Hlastala is the founder and executive director. “Really our mission is for girls to understand that their voice matters in the world,” Hlastala said. “And it’s important to understand what’s going on in the world so they can make informed decisions and become, hopefully, the next generation of leaders and innovators.” “I actually learned stuff that even my parents didn’t know about,” Ben-Zaken said. Programs focus on showing girls academics in the real world. Their programs focus on everything from business and finance to their most recent lesson: the election. “We learned about the Electoral College, which I found very important to know about,” Ben-Zaken said. In that lesson, they’re learning about the importance of having diverse leadership to represent our diverse country. “You get different ideas and some of those ideas could be better than the ones previously thought of,” Rettmann said.” Women make up 51% of the U.S. population, but only account for a quarter of the U.S. Senate and less than a quarter of the U.S. House of Representatives. When it comes to local government, women make up just 22% of mayors in cities with populations over 30,000, according to Represent Women. Women of color, Republican women, young women, and low-income women are especially underrepresented. “Representation does matter,” President of the League of Women Voters of Oregon Rebeca Gladstone said. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan group that encourages informed and active participation in government. They are celebrating their 100th birthday and the anniversary of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. However, Gladstone is quick to point out that while the ratification happened a century ago, it took decades more for Black women and POC women to be able to exercise their vote alongside their white counterparts. While Harris’ new role as vice president-elect is breaking barriers, Gladstone says that we still have a long way to go for an equitable future. “There’s a diversity in our society and our government should reflect that. Our democracy should have people that speak for all of us,” she said. “There are some really great ideas out there, but we just have to give them a chance to come up and speak.” For these young girls and girls around the country, seeing someone who looks like them in the White House matters, right now and for the future ahead. “I’m really, really glad we’re having one, especially a mixed-race vice president,” Ben-Zaken said. “And if we start with the vice president then we’re going to work our way up to president someday.” Girls Count is working to grow its mission of empowering middle school-aged girls. They’re in the middle of a fundraiser to provide a permanent space in Portland for their non-profit work. To learn more and donate visit www.girlscountpdx.org.

For Immediate Release: November 1, 2024 Salem, OR - There were 33,654 Oregon students, from 2 elementary, 43 middle and 82 high schools, registered by their teachers to participate in the 2024 Oregon Student Mock Election (OSME) and the results are in! Participating students reside in 21 of the 36 Oregon counties. Students were offered an authentic simulation of the Oregon vote-by-mail experience, including a realistic-looking mock ballot and time to study the candidates and issues in their classrooms before voting in their mock election. Students not only learn about the specific candidates and ballot measures, but they also learn how to be an informed voter. The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) created a “basic” mock ballot for all Oregon students mirroring the state’s general election with three statewide contests: United States President  (federal office) Oregon Attorney General (state office) Ballot Measure 118 : Corporate tax rebate to Oregon residents (statewide ballot measure)   Teachers were also offered the option of a fourth contest to personalize their students’ mock ballots and to reflect local elections. While most students voted using the basic Oregon mock ballot, some teachers opted for one or more of the following congressional districts and/or state, county, or city contests: Congressional Districts 2, 3, 4, 5 , and  6 Ballot Measure 117  (Statewide ranked-choice voting) Portland Mayor (Ranked-Choice Voting) Clackamas County Commissioner Position 1 City of West Linn Councilor Marion County Ballot Measure 24-507 (Chemeketa Community College bond measure)   Teachers were invited to provide comments and feedback with their results. Below are just a few feedback highlights in their own words. From Lake Oswego School District: “My students really enjoyed running the election. It has been fun to hear them discuss the candidates and the issues. My colleagues have enjoyed the conversations around their classrooms, too. Thank you for all your help!!” From North Clackamas School District: “They LOVED IT! Next election we will probably have ranked choice voting, so it could be fun to have them fill out a ranked choice ballot. I liked that the ballot had several levels of government- voting for a federal official, state, and local.” From Klamath School District: “This was an AMAZING experience! I had students research the positions of each candidate or ballot issue and share the candidates' ideas with the rest of the class and then we voted in a makeshift voting booth at our school. Students took it very seriously and did a great job researching and sharing the positions and were excited to cast their votes. Thank you so much for doing this!!" From Beaverton School District: “Overall this was a great experience! It was awesome to see and hear our students talking about these candidates and ballot measures. We had over 1,000 students vote and participate in this mock election. THANK YOU for organizing all of this and allowing us to participate in this! We are excited to see the Oregon and the National results.” All public, private, charter, and homeschool educators across the state are invited to participate in LWVOR mock elections. To prepare students for an informed voting experience, registered educators receive mock ballots, instructions, lesson plans with many activities and linked resources, and the LWVOR award-winning Civic Education Curriculum , with 5 units on different aspects of voting in Oregon. If educators want to make sure they are on the mailing list for the next mock election (Oregon Primary Election 2026), they can leave their contact information, using the “Register Here” button, year-round on our website: www.lwvor.org/mock-election . With the majority of student voting completed, here are the statewide 2024 OSME results: ●      Kamala Harris  won  US President  with 54% of the student vote. ●      Dan Rayfield  won  Oregon Attorney General  with 64% of the student vote. ●      Oregon Ballot Measure 118  failed  with 52% of the students voting NO. Local mock ballots results: ●      Oregon Ballot Measure 117  passed  with 72% of the students voting YES. ●      Marion County Ballot Measure 24-507  passed  with 78% of the students voting YES. ●      Cliff Bentz  won  US Congressional District 2  with 61% of the vote. ●      Maxine Dexter  won  US Congressional District 3  with 42% of the vote. ●      Val Hoyle  won  US Congressional District 4  with 52% of the vote. ●      Janelle Bynum  won  US Congressional District 5  with 52% of the vote. ●      Andrea Salinas  won  US Congressional District 6  with 57% of the vote. ●      Craig Roberts  won  Clackamas County Commissioner Position 1  with 59% of the vote. ●      Mary Baumgardner  won  City of West Linn Councilor with 49% of the vote. The LWVOR would like to commend the several Portland area schools who held a ranked-choice mock election for Portland Mayor. Not only did students participate in the ranked voting process they also counted the votes at their individual schools. While Mingus Mapps and Keith Wilson  split the wins in most schools, requiring several rounds of counting for each, Durrell Kinsey Bey  won in one round at Alice Ott Middle School, where he is a much-loved teacher. Our congratulations to Mr. Bey!   LWVOR’s free and open civics resources are available year-round on the website: LWVOR.org/mock-election . Contact: media@lwvor.org 503-581-5722 League of Women Voters of Oregon

Read the latest All-Members newsletter here .

Salem, OR - The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) emphasizes that Oregon’s current election processes ensure a safe, transparent, and secure election. Recent incidents in Oregon and across the nation underscore the need to ensure that every voter can cast a ballot free from intimidation and that election outcomes are accepted as the will of the voters. Our state’s robust systems ensure that every eligible voter can confidently cast their ballot, upholding the fundamental principles of a free and fair election.  “Any voter intimidation is suppression,” said Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President. “Casting a vote free of intimidation is vital to our democracy. Every election has winners and losers, and embracing results - whether we favor them or not - upholds our democratic values,” Bentson added. “Certifying results solidifies the democratic process, and preserving this integrity ensures our elections remain trusted and fair.” The League is confident that our election processes ensure safe, transparent, and secure elections. The Oregon Secretary of State’s Election Integrity webpage  describes these processes, including:   Oregon law  requires random sampling hand counts or risk-limiting audits in all counties following primary, general, and special elections. All of Oregon’s 36 county elections officials conduct these reviews, which require hand recounts of ballots. Ballot counting machines are tested and certified three times: well before, just before, and after elections take place.  The voting equipment is never connected to the internet. There are no routers connected to the tabulation system and there never have been. The League wants to remind voters that official election results will be posted on the Secretary of State’s website . Further, election results are unofficial until certified, as counties continue counting and updating totals in the days following the election. Contact: League of Women Voters of Oregon media@lwvor.org

From the League of Women Voters of the United States : “The League of Women Voters of the United States condemns, in the strongest terms, the intentional burning of USPS ballot boxes in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. This egregious attack on our democratic process undermines voters’ ability to cast their ballots safely and securely. “Every eligible voter has the right to participate in free and fair elections and for their vote to be counted. Actions that destroy ballots and disrupt the voting process threaten the foundation of our democracy and seek to silence the voice of the people. “The League calls on local, state, and federal authorities to swiftly investigate these criminal acts, hold the perpetrators accountable, and take all necessary steps to safeguard future ballots. We also urge election officials to communicate clearly with voters whose ballots may have been affected, ensuring they have the opportunity to vote again, their ballots are counted, and their voices are heard. “The League encourages all voters to stay informed about the status of their ballots, use available tracking tools, take advantage of secure voting options, and use VOTE411.org as a resource when adjusting their election plan. “Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard. We urge elected leaders and candidates across the nation to join us in condemning these criminal acts and reaffirming our collective commitment to uphold and protect the rights of all voters.”