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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Tomorrow is officially Election Day, and I have some important reminders and messages for you before voting closes. There’s also some important news about updated school metrics and an upcoming multi-state review of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Be sure to return your ballot to a secure ballot drop box by 8PM on November 3 (tomorrow). It is too late to vote by mail.
If you have mailed your ballot in the last week, please use the My Vote page on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website to double check that your ballot was received.
If My Vote does not show your ballot as having been received, or you have another question about voting, please get in touch with your county elections office. We are lucky to have excellent professionals working in these offices, and they are equipped with a wealth of knowledge to help you exercise your right to vote.
This election is too important to sit out. That’s why I shared my view with my local paper – this year, it's more than a vote.
 Last week, I joined with leaders across Oregon to condemn white nationalism, bigotry and election-related violence. In recent conversations with members of our community, many of you have expressed concerns about our democracy and the potential for violence this week.
I hear you. These are deeply uncomfortable and frightening realities, but our state is prepared to ensure that Oregonians' right to vote is protected. It’s critical that we come together and reject hate in our communities and across the country.
In a press conference this morning, Governor Brown outlined her law enforcement plan to keep the peace and protect Oregonians' right to peaceful protest through the election. The plan will create a unified command structure with the Superintendent of State Police and the Multnomah County Sheriff in charge of public safety in Portland from 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2 until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4 unless extended or rescinded earlier.
Peaceful transition of power is one of our greatest traditions, and I ask all of my fellow Oregonians to be safe and kind as we exercise our right to vote this year.
Last Friday, the Governor and Director Colt Gill of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) held a press conference to describe updates to school reopening metrics. Follow this link or click the image below to watch the full press conference.
As a father of four teenagers, I know that this has been an exceedingly challenging time for families and for students who miss their classmates and teachers.
Our public health officials are telling us that we must be smart about getting our kids back in school. Zero risk of COVID-19 transmission will simply not be achieved soon, and we want to protect our kids from the adverse effects of being out of the classroom.
The latest guidance reflects best practices from across the country and the globe, and the unfortunate fact that COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
On October 27, Oregon announced that we, along with Washington and Nevada, will join California's COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. That workgroup will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution. For more information on the workgroup, see this release from the Governor’s Office.
For the many of you who have already voted, you may wish to visit your County Clerk's website to pick up your own virtual "I voted" sticker.
As always, please let me know if you need any assistance. My office and I are available and ready to help. Be well, stay safe and happy voting.
Sincerely,
 Oregon Senate Majority Leader
Senate District 19
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1719
address: 900 Court St NE, S-223, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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