Oregon's political scene is gearing up for the primaries, and the final roster for the ballot is now set in stone. Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade announced the official list of presidential hopefuls for the Beaver State's primary election slated for May 21st, according to a recent press release. The Democratic lineup features incumbent President Joseph Biden going head-to-head with author and activist Marianne Williamson, while on the Republican ticket, former President Donald Trump is running unopposed.
Under ORS 249.078 (1)(a), the Secretary of State has the power to determine which names appear on the major party's Presidential primary ballot. This decision, made at their "sole discretion," is based on whether a candidate's run is "generally advocated or is recognized in national news media." Additionally, candidates have the option to get on the ballot via a nominating petition, as stated in ORS 249.078 (1)(b).
This year, steeped in tradition and the established practices of the state, both the Democratic and Republican parties in Oregon have decided to run "closed" primaries. This means that voters will need to be registered with the respective party by April 30th if they wish to cast their ballots in the primaries, as noted on Oregon's government website. For those looking to register or switch party allegiance, OregonVotes.gov stands ready to help facilitate their participation in the electoral process.
"Oregonians are voters," Secretary Griffin-Valade boasted, pointing to the state's impressive track record. In 2022, Oregon reportedly had the highest voter turnout in the country. The state's vote-by-mail system, a precursor of the modern electioneering methods, has run for over two decades, famously untainted by "widespread voter fraud." "We are taking every precaution to ensure the 2024 elections will be no different," assured Secretary Griffin-Valade in the official statement.
