Current News

When Oregonians go to the polls in about a year, they won’t see their current governor on their ballot for only the second time this century. Gov. Kate Brown can’t run for a third term, leaving Democrats with a wide-open primary for the first time since 2002.  Both parties’ contests[Read More...]

Letter to the editor

2022 must be a year of fixing broken systems, delivering on promises and instilling confidence that our public agencies will operate with proficiency and accountability – regardless of whatever new crisis comes our way, the editorial board writes. Among the priorities that Oregon should have for the new year are ensuring strong executive leadership at all levels of government, keeping schools open and better preparing Oregon for climate disasters.

From COVID-19 to the historic expulsion of an Oregon House member, 2021 politics never stopped being interesting.

The voters of Oregon want campaign finance limits so much that 78 percent voted to amend the state Constitution last year to expressly allow them (Measure 107). So where are they? The Legislature s…

Billion-dollar donations would be legal under one of the proposals.

After talks between left-leaning organizations broke down, three groups have filed competing proposals for reining in political spending.

Citing The Oregonian/OregonLive's reporting, a U.S. senator questioned Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler about the influence of corporate money on environmental policy. Hear what the mayor said.

Campaigns in Oregon during the 2018 election cycle were funded largely by a few individuals and groups concentrated in the greater Portland area.

Reforming Oregon's campaign finance laws was a priority heading into the 2019 Legislature, but some advocates are underwhelmed by the proposals.

Oregon voters could weigh in on political contribution limits and disclosure mandates in 2022, if campaign finance reformers succeed in getting an initiative on the ballot.

Following months of negotiations, labor unions and advocacy groups did not sign onto a plan for creating new campaign regulations.

A coalition of campaign-finance-reform-minded groups have filed three ballot initiatives with the secretary of state’s office that they want to put before Oregon voters next year. Honest Elections Oregon says its initiatives will help reduce the “perception and reality of corruption” in campaigns, increase transparency and elevate more voices in elections.

The largest and fastest growing segment of the electorate is now independent voters — but pollsters and political scientists haven’t caught up.

Please visit mcelections.org for detailed information on campaign finance provisions.

Without immediate income and spending disclosure in all political races, our brave new world will look a lot like the one reformers say they are trying to fix.

The staff of the Alaska Public Offices Commission is set the campaign contribution limit at $1,500 from an individual to a candidate, now that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown out the previous $500 limit, which was in statute. The Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court said the $500 limit is unreasonable, and […]

Guest writer Sal Peralta harbors an enduring interest in public policy, reflected in a long record of public involvement. He helped found the Independent Party of Oregon ...

The state’s election watchdog has the power to issue subpoenas, but doesn't use it. It doesn't send investigators -- it just sends letters.

We need better media coverage, but also better electoral systems

Language tucked into a bill on ballot-measure donors preempts lower city and county campaign contribution limits that had been enacted by voters.

Republican states with major democratic metropolitan centers forestall local efforts to reform election law.

At Mutlnomah County, citizen involvement spiraled out of control last year.

Abbott says local district attorneys have the authority to enforce his ban on local mask mandates. But urban DAs are unlikely to go after their fellow local officials.