It would be much better to have an open primary election and less costly for the state to have a primary election with ALL candidates for office on it – and so much more democratic to do so.
So here is an article about 2 petitions to open primary elections to all voters. I think this is a great idea and will produce a better government for Oregon (which we desperately need )! These petitions are submitted by former Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski and Independent Andrew Kaza. (The independent Party now has as many members as both the Dem and Republican Party in Oregon)
For a better Oregon – read this article – and – look for the petitions when they are approved by the Oregon secretary of state.
Multipartisan effort aims to open Oregon’s primaries through ballot initiative in 2026. This article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle. October 23, 2025.
LINK
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/23/multipartisan-effort-aims-to-open-oregons-primaries-through-ballot-initiative-in-2026/
Apparently according to ballotpedia a similar bill was already presented and rejected by the voters although I don’t remember any such thing on a ballot – and I always vote!
July 18, 2014
By Margaret Koenig
Supporters of an open, top-two primary system are closer to actualizing their goal following the July 15, 2014, certification of their initiated state statute. Every Oregon Voter Counts Petition Committee submitted 140,045 signatures to the secretary of state’s office on June 23, 2014.[1] Ultimately, the measure was certified for the November ballot with 91,716 valid signatures.[2]
The measure, if approved, would create a top-two system of general election voting where the primary ballot allows voters to choose one candidate from all candidates, regardless of political party. The top two candidates, regardless of political party, would then be voted upon in the general election.[3][4] Such primary systems are referred to as blanket primaries, top-two primaries or jungle primaries. California, Louisiana and Washington all have versions of a blanket primary. Despite its neighboring states’ use of the system, Oregonians overwhelmingly rejected a similar measure in 2008.
Maybe this was confused or connected with rank choice voting – I don’t know! But anyway if we could get this on the ballot it would be a good thing.
Oregon is not what it used to be – homelessness, crime, failing schools, businesses leaving, and Portlander leaving too! We need a change!
