Portland’s 1st ranked-choice election reshaped races — but vote reallocation made little difference
The full consequences of the city’s new electoral system remain uncertain.
Rene Gonzalez campaign hit with $9,180 fine over campaign finance violations
The Portland Auditor's Office found that the campaign accepted 18 contributions that exceeded the legal limit, and fined the campaign triple the overage amount.
Portland mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez fined $9,000 for new set of campaign finance violations
The city auditor's office says Gonzalez repeatedly failed to return donations that exceeded Portland’s contribution limits in a timely manner.
The Oregonian
City Council Candidate Allegedly Offered Patrons Free Bar Entry in Exchange for Campaign Contributions
Voters reject measure that would have established commission to set elected officials’ pay
Oregon lawmakers will continue to set their own salaries and those of certain other elected officials
Oregon voters cynical about government, support campaign finance reform, survey finds • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregonians are cynical about state politics and open to government reforms including campaign finance limits and open primaries.
In General
Opinion | We need new political parties in very blue and very red states
The value of independence can be seen in Nebraska — and the struggles of Democrats and Republicans elsewhere.
Oregon voters are split on ranked choice voting initiative, while poised to reject rebate plan and accept constitutional changes
From October 16th-17th, Public Policy Polling asked 716 likely Oregon voters for their views …
Oregon, secretary of state sued over voter registration lists
The lawsuit alleges Oregon and Secretary of State Lavonne Griffin-Valade have failed to remove inactive voters from registration lists.
Campaign to implement ranked-choice voting in Oregon brings in millions from out of state
The effort has received widespread support from Oregon groups, but has received most of its funding from national organizations.
Business coalition drops over $80K to support Sam Adams, attack Shannon Singleton in Multnomah County Commission race
A political group associated with the Portland Metro Chamber has poured tens of thousands of dollars into an ad push for the former Portland Mayor.
Money pours into races for Oregon Legislature that could flip seats
Five candidates had raised $900,000 or more apiece, as of Wednesday.
A Canvassing Group Knocking on Doors Has Helped City Candidates Unlock Hundreds of Thousands in Taxpayer Dollars
Progressive groups withdraw endorsements of Oregon Measure 118 • Oregon Capital Chronicle
At least four groups that backed an Oregon ballot measure to hike taxes on businesses and divide proceeds withdrew their support.
Impeachment, official pay commission on Oregon ballot
The sad legacy of Secretary of State Shamia Fagan endures via two constitutional amendments on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Portland mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez broke law by using taxpayer money to edit Wikipedia page, auditor finds
The auditor’s office also defended the impartiality of the investigation while faulting Gonzalez for interfering in the review.
Campaign donation-trading investigation expands to 12 Portland candidates. Here’s the list
The secretary of state is investigating 11 Portland City Council candidates and one candidate for mayor.
Mercury Endorsements: State Measures 2024
[Hello! You know, putting these endorsements together takes LOTS of hard work—and that's on top of our regular excellent reporting. Show your appreciation for the Mercury with a small contribution, please, and thank you!—eds] malchev / getty images State Measure 115: Vote YES Impeaching a government official is (and should be) a last resort—a consequence to be used in only the most dire circumstances, and with the utmost thoughtfulness. That said, Oregon is the only...
Cash Pours Into the Campaign to Take Ranked Choice Voting Statewide
Portland deputy auditor defends decision not to recuse himself from Rene Gonzalez investigation
The official has personal and financial ties to a leader of the group pushing an election probe against Gonzalez.
Like lawmakers themselves, Oregonians may not be ready for Measure 117’s ranked choice voting • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregonians might not be ready for supporting a new voting system that would apply to some elections but not others.
Oregon rural county clerks worry ranked choice voting would raise costs, undermine election trust • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon voters will decide on a ranked choice voting measure that would change how votes are tallied for federal and many state offices.
RepresentUs, OpenSecrets Join Forces to Expose Super PAC Influence in 2024 Elections
In an effort to raise awareness about the staggering influence of PAC money in politics, RepresentUs, the nation’s largest grassroots anti-corruption organization, has partnered with OpenSecrets, a go-to source to track the flow of money in US politics.
SBF’s Political Fixer Salame Stands Defiant on His Way to Prison
Ryan Salame, one of Sam Bankman-Fried’s top lieutenants at FTX, is running out of road as the start of his jail term looms for crimes committed while working at the fraudulent cryptocurrency exchange.
FTX & Democratic Party of Oregon
An Independent Expenditure for Mingus Mapps, Too? It Appears So
Let’s Go Washington fined $20K for campaign finance violations
Supreme Court declines to take up ‘dark money’ case
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a challenge to San Francisco’s “Sunlight on Dark Money” disclosure law, which would have tested the limits of disclosure and free speech …
Oregon could become the first state to tax big companies and send the cash to all residents • Stateline
Oregon could become the first state to increase the minimum tax on large businesses and send the cash to all residents, guaranteeing them a minimum income.
Measure 118 overreaches, but does contain some ‘concepts of a plan’ for improving our tax system • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Measure 118 is more of a thought experiment than a credible ballot measure but it does contain interesting idea on taxing and spending.