Why this Reform? Fair Representation, More Accountability
- Currently, 1.35 million Oregon voters cannot vote in taxpayer-funded primary elections for the most important offices.
- Only major party members (Democrats and Republicans) can vote and compete in state-funded primaries for U.S. Congress, Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and 90 Oregon State Legislators.
- Oregon’s closed primary elections are decided by a small percentage of voters, so elected officials are not accountable to most voters.
- Nonaffiliated voters (NAVS) are Oregon’s largest group of voters (37%), outnumbering Democrats (34%) and Republicans (24%), but they cannot vote in primaries for the most important offices.
- 7% of Oregon voters are members of minor parties, but they cannot vote in primaries for the most important offices.
- Open primaries are the most impactful reform to increase voter turnout & reduce polarization.
- 74%+ Oregonians support open primaries to let all voters vote. DHM Research 9/2025 poll.
Why Now?
- The numbers: nonaffiliated voters have grown almost 2x since 2014, from 600,000 to 1.1 million and growing. Minor party members have grown from 16,000 in 2006 to 205,000 in 2025.
- Voters are dissatisfied with the major parties and want better choices. Two large groups of voters has rejected the major parties & deserve a voice in choosing our leaders.
- People are fed up with political gridlock & polarization where nothing gets done. Open primaries elect leaders who better represent voters & get things done.
- Public support: 74%+ Oregonians believe all voters should be allowed to vote in state-funded elections for our most important state offices.
The Solution
The Voters Fairness Act (Co-Petitioners Ted Kulongoski (D), Andrew Kaza (I), Cheri Helt (R) ) will:
- Allow all registered voters to vote equally in elections funded by the State.
- Enfranchise over 1.1 million Oregon voters currently shut out of taxpayer-funded partisan primaries.
- Promote fair competition. Candidates compete on the same primary ballot & voters are free to choose any candidate for U.S. Congress, Governor, Sec. of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Legislators.
- Top 2+ candidates receiving the most votes in the primary advance to the general election.
- Any political party may opt-out of primary & nominate to general election at their own expense.
- Nonaffiliated candidates can qualify for the general election by collecting signatures.
- Any political party may opt-out of primary & nominate to general election at their own expense.
- Provide Voter Information, Promote Cross-Partisan Participation. Candidates may display up to 3 legitimate party endorsements next to their names on the ballot, providing important information to voters (i.e. Democrat/Independent/Working Families Party, Republican/Independent/Libertarian).
- Elect leaders who are accountable to broader coalitions of voters.
“Multipartisan effort aims to open Oregon’s primaries through ballot initiative in 2026”
Former governor, ex-state lawmaker and Independent Party leader team up to open Oregon primaries
Oregon Capital Chronicle 10/23/2025
“Kulongoski Lends His Name to New Ballot Initiatives Pushing for Open Primaries”
Oregon Journalism Project 10/22/2025
Oregonians could have a chance to have open primaries
Oregon Public Broadcasting 10/242025
Former governor, ex-state lawmaker and Independent Party leader team up to open Oregon primaries
Oregon Capital Chronicle 10/23/2025
“Kulongoski Lends His Name to New Ballot Initiatives Pushing for Open Primaries”
Oregon Journalism Project 10/22/2025
Oregonians could have a chance to have open primaries
Oregon Public Broadcasting 10/242025
JOIN OUR COALITION FOR FAIR REPRESENTATION & GOOD GOVERNMENT!
