These are consequential times for democracy. Nationally, we face an unprecedented presidency — focused on consolidating power and dismantling government. But in our federated system, it matters what happens at the state level, too.

Across the country, state legislatures are underway. In Oregon, now one month into the 2025 session, with over 3000 bills filed, there are plenty of bills aligned with the Trump/Musk/Project2025 agenda… but moreso, there is exciting leadership to strengthen democracy.

The Trump/Musk Agenda

Oregon’s 2025 legislature, with a Democratic super-majority in both chambers, is not fertile ground for legislation echoing the current Republican U.S. President’s agenda. Such bills are not likely to pass. Nevertheless, a sample of bills have been filed that would weaken democratic government and shift money and power to a small minority, similar to what’s happening in states across the country.

Oregon legislators have filed bills that undermine majority rule (like SJR14 to have our state senate represent counties rather than population, and SJR12 and SJR3 to reduce the kinds of bills that can be passed by a simple majority), weaken government agencies (SB411, SB895, SB931, and HB2255 all aimed at eroding agency rule-making authority), and shift tax burden from the wealthiest (a host of bills aimed at repealing or reducing the corporate minimum tax, corporate activity tax, and estate tax). 

Oddly, Republican legislators have also filed HB2303 to require state compliance with federal law, despite long championing “state power.”  There are also bills that undermine civil rights and divide and intimidate through culture wars (such as bills targeting immigrants and people who challenge gender norms, bills focused on abortion, school boards and curriculum, and others aimed at rolling back affirmative action). 

Advancing Voting Rights

Despite bills aimed at gutting Oregon elections — like SB210 to end vote-by-mail, and others to create barriers to voter registration (none of which are likely to pass) — there’s a chance this legislative session to advance toward more inclusive, equitable elections. Oregon has long been a national leader on voting rights, trailblazing ways to make voting more accessible and secure.

Common Cause supports three powerful policies: The Student Voice and Democracy Act (HB3012) to allow Oregon 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections, giving them a voice in decisions that impact their education while preparing them to be lifelong voters; a bill to Guarantee Voting Rights and Fair Representation (not yet filed) to protect the right of Oregonians to register and vote while incarcerated; and a bill to Stop Prison Gerrymandering (HB2704) to enable incarcerated individuals to be represented in their home districts rather than where they’re incarcerated, reducing skewed representation between all Oregonians caused by concentrated populations in prisons.  

The Battle Over Money in Politics

The battle for democracy is a battle for power — either power wielded by the few or shared broadly and equitably among all of us. We don’t have to sell our democracy to the highest bidder. But in recent decades, courts and lawmakers have allowed and dramatically increased big money’s influence.

In Oregon, Common Cause is part of the resistance pushing back, and we’re gaining ground. In 2020, we passed a ballot measure overriding state court precedent, opening the way for campaign finance reform. We then passed major state reform last year — limits on campaign contributions and increased transparency — which will significantly damp down big money’s influence once implemented. But this legislative session, we’ll need to shore up that legislation and fend off attempts to weaken it before its 2027 implementation date. We will likely see bills filed soon, or amended later in the session, aimed at either strengthening or undermining Oregon’s new campaign finance law.

Thank you for standing up for democracy. Common Cause Oregon will keep you posted on key democracy challenges and opportunities.