Who are you voting for? It’s the big question to answer this year, with the presidential election approaching. While it will chart the course for our country’s future, it’s also far from the only decision to make on the ballot. Countless other elections in Oregon will define the political environment of our state.
The voting registration deadline was Oct. 15, with Nov. 5 being Election Day and the last day for voters to submit ballots. According to Oregon’s Secretary of State website, this year Brian J. Boquist (Republican/Constitution Party), Mary King (Working Families Party/Pacific Green Party), Elizabeth Steiner (Democrat) and Seth Woolley (Pacific Green Party) are all running for State Treasurer. Along with this, Tobias Read (Democrat/Working Families Party/Independent Party), Dennis Linthicum (Republican/Constitution Party), Liam Keel (No Party Affiliation) and Nathalie Paravicini are running for Secretary of State. In Tualatin’s house district, Jules Walters (Democrat) is running against Ben Edtl (Republican) for State Representative.
“Oregon will be electing 15 out of 30 state Senators and all 60 representatives in the State House, a new Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General, as well as several ballot measures to be considered,” said Hilary Uhlig, campaign manager for a candidate running for Hillsboro City Council and advocate with Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. “Local elections for mayors, city council positions and local ballot measures will also be important votes to cast in November. Local elections matter because the people who vote decide who will be making the decisions that affect them.”
The state legislature affects many aspects of daily life, decisions at the state and city level are what impact individual communities. For example, elected school board members determine budgets for Tualatin and other schools in the district.
Lauren Koudelka, President of Tualatin’s Climate Change Activism Club, has been actively working with local officials on environmental policy.
“Our club has met with city officials to discuss their plans to combat climate change within our community, and we plan to do much more this year with Mattie Cheeks and the city of Tualatin,” Koudelka said.
Many important candidates and ballot measures will be on the 2024 ballot alongside the presidential candidates. In matters of policy, city budgets, schools and more, local elections will greatly affect Oregonians in the years ahead.
