Process update… Oregon House Bill 3166
Update!
I wanted to share an update on the ballot initiative and how you can help make it happen!
Whats Happening?
House Bill 3166 (Unified Primary Act) was recently introduced in the Oregon State Legislature. The bill opens Oregon’s primaries for most positions (except President and Vice President due to national party rules) and moves the Presidential Primary to the 2nd Tuesday in March.
Why This Matters for Our Initiative:
My ballot initiative aims to move Oregon’s primary even earlier, but these legislative changes have created uncertainty in my path forward. If HB 3166 passes, it could amend the statue my initiative seeks to change — meaning our signatures may not count or even be necessary. Additionally, a proposed amendment may remove the primary date change from the bill entirely, causing further questions.
What This Means for Our Initiative:
If the amendment stays (removing the primary date change from the bill), our ballot initiative is back on! But we’ll need about 150,000 signatures to even get it on the ballot.
If the legislature keeps the date change (2nd Tuesday in March), it’s a more direct path to ensuring Oregon votes earlier in the primary. But we can do even better. I’m advocating for the legislature to move the presidential primary one week earlier to align with Super Tuesday (first Tuesday in March). This is the earliest possible date under national party rules and ensures Oregon as a real voice in the presidential primary race.
How YOU Can Help!
Attend the HB 3155 Hearing - Wednesday, March 19th at 8 AM.
I’ll be testifying to push for keeping a presidential primary date change in the bill, and ensuring it’s the first Tuesday in March (Super Tuesday) rather than the second.
Submit written testimony by March 21st at 8 AM.
Even if you can’t testify in person, submitting written testimony shows our representatives that voters care about this issue!
Testify in person or remotely on March 19th.
This is our chance to tell lawmakers that Oregon voters want a real say in the presidential nomination process!
Example Testimony:
”I strongly support HB 3166 because it gives Oregon a greater voice in elections, rather than prioritizing party control. However, I urge the legislature to include a provision to move Oregon’s presidential primary to the First Tuesday in March (Super Tuesday), so our state can meaningfully shape the national race. Right now, Oregon votes too late — by May, the race is already decided. Even a primary on the second Tuesday in March is too late, as Super Tuesday already determines the front-runners. If we want Oregon voters to truly matter in the presidential nomination process, we must vote when the race is still competitive. I urge you to make this change so Oregon plays a key role in national primary elections. Thank you.”
Need more testimony ideas? Check out my written testimony on the Oregon State Legislative website for more information.
Your voice matter! Testify, submit written comments, and help us push for a legislative solution, so we don’t have to collect 150,000+ signatures!