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Oregon vows to fight Trump's mail-in voting order

State officials are preparing to defend Oregon's decades-old vote-by-mail system.

News

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="d425ee81-63fb-4d67-bab8-dbd813408a71" data-vars-headline="Oregon vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> can implement an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" data-vars-content-id="d425ee81-63fb-4d67-bab8-dbd813408a71" data-vars-headline="Oregon vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" target="_self">executive order</a> restricting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" data-vars-content-id="d425ee81-63fb-4d67-bab8-dbd813408a71" data-vars-headline="Oregon vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" target="_self">mail-in</a> ballots just months before the midterm elections, the Supreme Court said Monday.Why it matters: The decision could upend the midterms, but the legal battle is far from over, and the exact impact on Oregon&#x27;s upcoming elections remains unclear.

Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows

It's a big win for the state, which has seen businesses take their growth elsewhere in recent years.

Business

Lam Research, the global <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="semiconductor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" target="_self">semiconductor</a> equipment maker with a large Portland-area presence, broke ground Wednesday on a multimillion-dollar research and development lab aimed at meeting growing demand for advanced AI chips.Why it matters: The lab is part of a $1.5 billion investment in the company&#x27;s Oregon footprint over the next 15 years — a major win for the state as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent manufacturing job losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" target="_blank">recent manufacturing job losses</a> compound and other businesses consider <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving their growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">moving their growth</a> elsewhere.

Portland renters pay more for less space

New apartments are 47 square feet smaller than a decade ago.

The average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new apartment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" data-vars-content-id="4c637cbd-335b-41d4-9570-dd43d0e953fa" data-vars-headline="Portland renters pay more for less space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" target="_self">new apartment</a> shrunk in Portland during the past decade to some of the smallest dwellings in the country, according to a new survey from RentCafe.Why it matters: Even though square footage shrunk, renters of all apartments in Portland are paying more — even accounting for a 39% increase in inflation.

Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe

Volunteers patrol the overnight course from Portland to Seaside.

As thousands lace up for the start of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hood to Coast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" target="_self">Hood to Coast</a> Friday at Timberline Lodge, another group will be preparing to to make sure all those runners finish safely.Why it matters: For nearly 30 years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eyes on Wheels" data-vars-click-url="https://eyesonwheels.org/" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eyesonwheels.org/" target="_blank">Eyes on Wheels</a> – a group of volunteers on motorcycles — have been conducting safety patrols on the western part of the race course.

Where races stand in Oregon's May primary election

State Rep. Christine Drazan picked up the Republican nominee for governor.

State Sen. Christine Drazan is Oregon&#x27;s Republican nominee for governor, capturing 43 % of the vote in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tuesday&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="a4323354-ff09-42b2-8096-47bf4c66757c" data-vars-headline="Where races stand in Oregon&#x27;s May primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" target="_self">Tuesday&#x27;s primary election</a>, according to the Associated Press.The big picture: Drazan beat out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a crowded field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/24/oregon-republican-primary-governor-kotek-criticism" data-vars-content-id="a4323354-ff09-42b2-8096-47bf4c66757c" data-vars-headline="Where races stand in Oregon&#x27;s May primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/24/oregon-republican-primary-governor-kotek-criticism" target="_self">a crowded field</a> of candidates — including ex-Blazer Chris Dudley, state Rep. Ed Diehl and Marion County commissioner Danielle Bethell — to set up a rematch with Gov. Tina Kotek in November.

Oregon voters reject transportation tax package

Lawmakers must now find another way to fund road repairs and transportation projects.

Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a hike in gas taxes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="a59b6d62-c76e-4d00-a31b-96dc09d6a827" data-vars-headline="Oregon voters reject transportation tax package" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" target="_self">a hike in gas taxes</a> and other vehicle fees to fund transportation in Tuesday&#x27;s primary election, according to the Associated Press.Why it matters: The vote was the culmination of a long-running fight over how to fund road maintenance and transportation projects, but leaves many unanswered questions about where the state goes from here.

Portland voters to weigh gas tax hike in May primary

Ballots arrive soon ahead of the May primary, with voters weighing a gas tax and other key races.

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/election" data-vars-content-id="80cc544e-443c-44f1-ad4d-23937259a491" data-vars-headline="Portland voters to weigh gas tax hike in May primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/election" target="_self">election</a> season again, with ballots for the May primary headed to Portland mailboxes within the next few days.Why it matters: Voters will decide a Republican nominee for governor, weigh a transportation funding measure and consider several local proposals.

Multnomah County sees 4 competitive judicial races

Three experienced judges are stepping down and another has a last-minute challenger.

Election

Multnomah County <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/election" data-vars-content-id="fc93f120-e75e-4955-80a4-fd789be7f6ce" data-vars-headline="Multnomah County sees 4 competitive judicial races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/election" target="_self">voters</a> will weigh in on an unusually active judicial ballot this May with four highly contested races shaping the local bench.The big picture: Three experienced judges <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are stepping down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/02/competitive-elections-for-judges-are-rare-multnomah-county-is-about-to-see-3.html" data-vars-content-id="fc93f120-e75e-4955-80a4-fd789be7f6ce" data-vars-headline="Multnomah County sees 4 competitive judicial races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/02/competitive-elections-for-judges-are-rare-multnomah-county-is-about-to-see-3.html" target="_blank">are stepping down</a>, opening key Circuit Court seats and drawing a crowded field of 14 candidates.

What to know about Portland's May special election

Portland Public Schools District is asking voters to renew a bond for school upgrades.

All of Oregon&#x27;s 36 counties have a special election next week, and Portland voters will weigh in on four school board seats and whether to renew a bond essential to renovating older schools <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vulnerable to earthquakes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/05/schools-earthquake-safety-upgrade-bond" data-vars-content-id="5b69657d-c0c0-426d-93a9-5e3777f4f226" data-vars-headline="What to know about Portland&#x27;s May special election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/05/schools-earthquake-safety-upgrade-bond" target="_self">vulnerable to earthquakes</a>.Why it matters: If renewed, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the bond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pps.net/2025Bond" data-vars-content-id="5b69657d-c0c0-426d-93a9-5e3777f4f226" data-vars-headline="What to know about Portland&#x27;s May special election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pps.net/2025Bond" target="_blank">the bond</a> is expected to raise $1.8 million to be used in large part for modernization projects at three high schools — Ida B. Wells, Cleveland and Jefferson — without increasing the current tax rate.

New polling shows most Portlanders prefer ranked choice

But it also found many voters were overwhelmed by the number of candidates on their ballots.

A new poll shows most voters in Portland preferred ranked-choice voting to the city&#x27;s previous election method.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Previous polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/12/10/ranked-choice-voting-election-voter-engagement" data-vars-content-id="9ad1dda1-c559-4081-9b3a-e2c328c0eb5d" data-vars-headline="New polling shows most Portlanders prefer ranked choice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/12/10/ranked-choice-voting-election-voter-engagement" target="_self">Previous polling</a> showed the new system was widely understood by most voters, but this survey is the first to gauge the electorate&#x27;s preference as voters made decisions on who would take power under the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new form of government" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/19/government-structure-council-members-districts" data-vars-content-id="9ad1dda1-c559-4081-9b3a-e2c328c0eb5d" data-vars-headline="New polling shows most Portlanders prefer ranked choice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/19/government-structure-council-members-districts" target="_self">new form of government</a>.

Janelle Bynum wins Oregon's 5th Congressional District

Bynum's win in Oregon's 5th Congressional District flips the district blue.

Democratic state lawmaker Janelle Bynum beat Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to represent Oregon&#x27;s 5th Congressional District, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/" data-vars-content-id="078ec9ad-a3b3-4b8f-9473-c3902fa054f2" data-vars-headline="Janelle Bynum wins Oregon&#x27;s 5th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.Why it matters: Bynum&#x27;s win flips the swing district back to blue and adds another Democratic seat to the U.S. House of Representatives.<ul><li>She will also be the first Black Congresswoman to represent Oregon in Washington, D.C., according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oregon Public Broadcasting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/08/oregon-janelle-bynum-u-s-house-5th-congressional-district-congress-election-democrats-reupublicans-lori-chavez-deremer/" data-vars-content-id="078ec9ad-a3b3-4b8f-9473-c3902fa054f2" data-vars-headline="Janelle Bynum wins Oregon&#x27;s 5th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/08/oregon-janelle-bynum-u-s-house-5th-congressional-district-congress-election-democrats-reupublicans-lori-chavez-deremer/" target="_blank">Oregon Public Broadcasting</a>. </li></ul>

Some voters opt out of Portland's first ranked-choice election

Symptoms of a flawed system or just growing pains? Time will tell.

It&#x27;s been more than a week since Portland voters took part in the city&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ranked-choice election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/07/how-ranked-choice-voting-works-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="edddb050-275a-4210-a77f-09df52489db3" data-vars-headline="Some voters opt out of Portland&#x27;s first ranked-choice election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/07/how-ranked-choice-voting-works-what-to-know" target="_self">ranked-choice election</a>, and the results — at least in terms of voter participation — leave a lot to be desired.Why it matters: An analysis by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/11/portlands-ranked-choice-debut-causes-voter-engagement-to-crater-1-in-5-who-cast-ballots-chose-no-one-for-city-council.html" data-vars-content-id="edddb050-275a-4210-a77f-09df52489db3" data-vars-headline="Some voters opt out of Portland&#x27;s first ranked-choice election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/11/portlands-ranked-choice-debut-causes-voter-engagement-to-crater-1-in-5-who-cast-ballots-chose-no-one-for-city-council.html" target="_blank">The Oregonian</a> found that many voters — up to nearly 30% in some districts — declined to enter a vote in ranked-choice races, even while filling out the rest of their ballot.

Keith Wilson poised to be Portland's next mayor as others concede

Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez both dropped out of the race Wednesday.

Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez both <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conceded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/06/portland-mayor-keith-wilson-ranked-choice-voting-politics-carmen-rubio-rene-gonzalez/" data-vars-content-id="088d3078-1662-4735-ba5e-294c470ce443" data-vars-headline="Keith Wilson poised to be Portland&#x27;s next mayor as others concede" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/06/portland-mayor-keith-wilson-ranked-choice-voting-politics-carmen-rubio-rene-gonzalez/" target="_blank">conceded</a> Portland&#x27;s mayoral race to Keith Wilson Wednesday night.Why it matters: Wilson&#x27;s single-issue platform — ending unsheltered homelessness — resonated with voters in a city that has long struggled to address the problem.

Election 🗳️

Oregon vows to fight Trump's mail-in voting order

Where races stand in Oregon's May primary election

Oregon voters reject transportation tax package

Portland voters to weigh gas tax hike in May primary

Multnomah County sees 4 competitive judicial races