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Dear Oregonians,

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and recognize Native people here in Oregon. At the Oregon Secretary of State's Office, we strive to honor Native American Heritage and work together with the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon to create good public policy.

One example of this work is HB 2112. Earlier this year, the State Archives Division of the Secretary of State’s Office proposed a new law that would allow agencies to consider tribal cultural value when determining how long to retain a public record. This bill, which legislators passed in May, gives tribal governments in Oregon a voice in how their information is kept.

Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are also just around the corner! As a reminder, the Secretary of State’s Office will be closed on Friday, November 10^th, Thursday, November 23^rd, and Friday, November 24^th.

Sincerely,

LaVonne Griffin-Valade
Oregon Secretary of State

Elections Division: Today is the deadline for Oregon's fifth-grade classrooms to register to vote for Kid Governor

Reminder: 24 counties have local elections on November 7^th. Visit your county elections website to learn more about your local elections.

The other big election this year is the Oregon Kid Governor’s race! And today is the deadline for Oregon fifth-grade classrooms to register to vote for the 2023 Oregon Kid Governor. Oregon’s Kid Governor is a statewide civics program managed by the Secretary of State where each elementary school has the opportunity to enter one student candidate into a statewide election that other 5^th graders vote in.

During Election Week, November 6^th to November 14^th, registered classes watch and analyze campaign videos of seven candidates and vote for the platform and candidate they want to support. The winning candidate serves a one-year term with all the benefits and responsibilities of being Kid Governor, while the other six become cabinet members.

The deadline for classrooms to register to vote is today, November 6^th, at 5 p.m. You can register your classroom here and learn more about the Kid Governor program on our website.

Audits Division: October's Oregon Audit Summit and Domestic Violence Advisory Report

Last month, the Audits Division and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers held the first-ever Oregon Audit Summit in Wilsonville. The summit was a huge success for the division — auditors from dozens of state, county, and local shops gathered together for interesting and diverse sessions on equity, emergency management, promoting audit work, and even improv comedy! The division received many compliments from auditors around the state thanking us for sponsoring this event, and we look forward to the 2^nd Annual Oregon Audit Summit next fall.

The Audits Division released its latest advisory report on October 31, assessing the state’s role in addressing domestic violence in Oregon. The report was timely, as October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is pervasive, immensely harmful, and often fatal. In Oregon, over a third of adults experience domestic violence. Multiple agencies address domestic violence in some way, but Oregon lacks an overarching strategy to coordinate these efforts. If you haven’t already read the report, I encourage you to do so.

Corporation Division: Veterans Small Business Week promotes resources for veteran business owners

October 30^th through November 3^rd was Veterans Small Business Week! Veteran entrepreneurs should know they can get small business help through the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program. This program offers business training, counseling, and resource partners. There's an office for each region; find yours and other resources online through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Constituent Services: Mostly commonly asked questions

The Secretary of State’s Office receives many requests for information or assistance each month. Below are some of the most common topics constituents reached out to us about last month, and helpful information related to them. If you need assistance, contact us at oregon.sos@sos.​oregon.gov.

How do I start a petition to create a new law or amendment to the state Constitution if I am not able to get through to my elected official? This can be achieved through the initiative and referendum process. Find more information here: State of Oregon: Elections - Make or Change State Law

How do I file an official complaint against a state agency for malpractice? To report the misuse or abuse of state resources in a state agency, contact the Government Accountability Hotline, toll free, at: 800-336-8218. Find more information here: State of Oregon: Audits - Report Misuse of State Government Resources

How do I claim an estate, trust, or inquire about an unclaimed property? Contact the Oregon State Treasurer’s Office - Treasury : Welcome Page : Unclaimed Property : State of Oregon. The Oregon State Archives does not hold individual records.

I am registering for a business for the first time and I am not sure what I need to do. The Office of Small Business Assistance helps small businesses navigate local government. Find more information here: Office of Small Business Assistance : Oregon Small Business Advocate : State of Oregon