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USPS says mail-in ballots might not get postmark on same day they’re dropped off
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Jonathan Shorman
The U.S. Postal Service has adopted a new rule that could create doubt about whether some ballots mailed by voters by Election Day will receive postmarks in time to be counted.
A USPS rule that took effect on Dec. 24 says mail might not receive a postmark on the same day the agency takes possession of it. The postal service says it isn’t changing its existing postmark practices and is merely clarifying its policy, but some election officials have looked to postmarks as a guarantee that mail ballots were cast before polls closed.
The new rule holds implications for 14 states and Washington, D.C., that count ballots arriving after Election Day if they are postmarked on or before that day — commonly called a “ballot grace period.” In these states, ballots placed in the mail by voters before the deadline may not be counted if the postal service applies a postmark after Election Day.
Oregon News
TRANSPORTATION
Oregonians won’t see gas tax, transportation fee hikes in January as opponents secure enough signatures to send issue to ballot
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
The Republican-led group attempting to halt a scheduled increase to Oregon’s transportation taxes has officially submitted enough required signatures to allow voters the final say next November.
The Secretary of State’s Office announced Tuesday that it had so far verified 163,451 signatures of the 194,000 submitted by the campaign earlier this month, meaning the organizers far exceeded the roughly 78,000 signatures required. The campaign submitted an additional 57,000 signatures Monday that have not been verified.
The news means Oregonians will officially no longer see a 6-cent increase to the state’s 40 cents per gallon gas tax or hikes to title and registration fees in January. It also means the state’s 0.1% payroll tax for transit will not temporarily double as it was set to do.
The petitioners’ successful effort marks a major loss for Democrats, who spent much of the year trying to craft a package that would increase funding for the state transportation agency, local governments and public transit districts.
After a series of missteps, Democrats approved a plan in a special legislative session this fall that would have raised taxes to a much smaller extent than they initially proposed. Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr of Dundee and Rep. Ed Diehl of Scio immediately launched the referendum campaign to halt the tax hikes, saying they would unnecessarily hurt taxpayers.
The tax hikes had already been suspended while the Secretary of State’s Office verified the signatures. Unless lawmakers act, the tax hikes will remain frozen pending a decision from voters next November. Democratic lawmakers have been mulling over their options for several weeks and are expected to take up the issue during the short session that begins in February.
Oregon gas tax referendum qualifies for November 2026 ballot
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
Kotek faced criticism for signing the bill more than a month after it passed and days before the deadline to do so — a move that cut down No Tax Oregon's signature gathering time but didn't seem to hamper their efforts.
The group, led by Jason Williams, director of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, and Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Stayton, was approved to collect signatures days later and surpassed the required 78,116 quickly.
Supporters said they felt the bill's cost increases added to affordability challenges and that Oregonians should be able to vote on higher taxes.
What happens next in the Oregon gas tax referendum process?
Oregon's attorney general must now draft a ballot title for the referendum. They have 10 business days to do so after receiving it.
The ballot title appears on the ballot for voters and includes a title, brief explanation of what would happen if voters approve or reject it and a summary of the issue.
Referendum overturning new Oregon transportation taxes qualifies for ballot
KATU | By Steve Benham
Before the ink had dried on Kotek’s signature, No Tax Oregon began its drive to collect enough signatures to put a measure before voters to undo those taxes, saying they were a burden to working families.
Democrats countered that the money was needed to fill a $354 million budget hole in the Oregon Department of Transportation. Without the funds, hundreds of ODOT employees would face layoffs and maintenance stations would close, they said.
"We had ODOT employees that signed this petition. So I mean, even folks within the agency understand that there is need to right size the agency and prioritize how they spend their dollars," Starr told KATU's Victor Park after the news broke.
Oregon’s transportation taxes to head to voters in 2026
KOIN 6 | By Andrew Foran
In a previous statement, Gov. Kotek warned that with no viable backup plan, emergency funding towards keeping Oregon’s roads and bridges safe will be suspended immediately.
However, leaders say that layoffs can be avoided if lawmakers prioritize existing funds and work together in the February session.
“The rest of the bill remains intact and continues to be part of state law,” said. Senator Bruce Starr. “The Democrats and the legislature need to work together to balance ODOT’s budget with existing resources, prioritizing tax dollars just like Oregonians and their families do.”
Oregon gas, payroll tax increases will be on the ballot in 2026
KPTV | By Leslie Dominique
The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office issued notice this week that the referendum petition was verified on Monday.
According to chief petitioner Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, the group submitted an additional batch Monday, bringing the total to more than 250,000 signatures.
During a special legislative session in September, Gov. Kotek and lawmakers scrambled to address a $354 million gap in the Oregon Department of Transportation budget. The Democrat-led solution included a six-cent gas tax increase, a doubling of the state payroll tax, and increases to several vehicle registration fees that would have gone into effect December 31.
The tax and fee increases drew immediate pushback from Republican legislators and many constituents.
Sen. Starr suggested the state could instead redirect funds from areas such as transit and electric vehicle charging stations to maintain essential transportation services, rather than implementing the additional taxes and fees the ballot would address.
“There are places we need to look at that are less important than maintenance. Ultimately, this will be a conversation in the legislature, and I hope the supermajority engages with Republicans,” Starr said.
POLITICS
Oregon provides ‘secure and accurate’ updates for online voter registration
KOIN 6 | By Michaela Bourgeois
As of December 30, all eligible Oregonians can register to vote through a secure online form by entering the last four digits of their Social Security number and submitting a valid signature – similar to what would appear on a paper registration form.
Previously, eligible Oregonians with a driver’s license number could register to vote online; however, under 2022’s House Bill 4133, the online registration process was updated to allow eligible voters to instead submit the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.
New Oregon laws related to utility rates, tenants, health plans & more take effect Jan. 1
KATU
A slew of new laws passed by Oregon lawmakers this year are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
The new laws include those related to utility rates, telemarketing rules, the rights of tenants, medical debt, requirements for what health plans regulated by the state must cover and more.
Here are some of the new laws taking effect Jan. 1.
HOMELESSNESS
Portland revisits policy of having firefighters extinguish outdoor warming fires
KGW | By Blair Best, Jamie Parfitt
The city of Portland is reviewing its policies around fires at homeless camps, with Portland Fire & Rescue taking a new stance on whether to extinguish small fires which are otherwise contained and low-risk.
Fire officials said firefighters will be able to use their discretion and decide on a case-by-case basis.
EDUCATION
Reporting on Jefferson High School Requires Wading Into Some Taboo Topics
Willamette Week | By Anthony Effinger
There is perhaps no topic we cover that affects parents so directly as education.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Man who killed mother of his children after Portland activist group paid his bail is sentenced
The Oregonian | By Zane Sparling
A man who stabbed and then strangled the life from the mother of his children while out on bail paid by a Portland police abolition group has been sentenced to life in prison.
Mohamed Adan will be eligible for parole in 25 years following his plea and sentencing Tuesday for the second-degree murder of 36-year-old Rachael Abraham in 2022.
Abraham — who shared two children with Adan and had reported his domestic violence — called into a Multnomah County courtroom in August 2022, begging authorities not to release Adan in a case charging him with violating her no-contact order.
A judge that day denied attempts to reduce Adan’s bail, but activists with the Portland Freedom Fund paid the standard 10% of his bail required by law, or $2,000 of $20,000 total, a day later on Aug. 20.
On Aug. 27, Adan entered the Southeast 92nd Avenue townhouse where Abraham lived and killing her while the children were inside.
During Tuesday’s hearing, senior prosecutor Melissa Marrero slammed the now-defunct activist group, known as the Portland Freedom Fund.
Portland gun violence drops 34% in past year, but community leaders warn more work is needed
KGW | By Joe Raineri
For the first time in 12 months, Portland is seeing a decline in murders and shootings. As of last month, there has been a 34% drop in those incidents. One community member said the decrease is the result of collaborative efforts to keep people safe. A city spokesperson echoed that sentiment, saying officials hope to continue this year’s progress into 2026.
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