Protecting Democracy and Voting Rights

Free and fair elections are critical to a functioning democracy. Any effort to suppress the rights of eligible voters is a threat to our democratic republic. Oregon has a safe and secure voting system that makes it easier – not harder – for citizens to cast their votes. We've been voting by mail for decades and have some of the highest voter turnout in the nation. And our automatic voter registration reduces barriers that disproportionately target voters of color.

For too many years, Black Americans and other people of color faced barriers that denied them the opportunity to vote. It wasn't until the Voting Rights Act passed in the 1960's that all citizens had access to the ballot box. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has weakened the Voting Rights Act, and voter suppression efforts are multiplying in states across the country. We must stand up against false and misleading rhetoric about election safety. Voter suppression efforts and voter identification laws disproportionately target communities of color, citizens with disabilities, and low-income voters.

I have consistently supported legislation to restore voting protections, expand voter participation, and allow more states to implement Oregon’s well-established and safe system of vote by mail.