Ballots are out and if my social media feed is any indication, Oregonians are ready to fill in their bubbles, seal their envelopes, and show the rest of the country how vote-by-mail is the way to go.

On this spring Sunday, I wanted to share the tools that OLCV has for you to get that ballot in and ensure that we have environmental champions elected to local and state offices, from coast to desert. 

First of all, I want to make sure that you saw our “virtual” Annual Celebration. We have posted interviews with candidates we love who are running in some of the most competitive races on your ballot. We also celebrate and dig in on our big win on climate: Governor Kate Brown’s Oregon Climate Action Plan, the boldest executive action on climate in the country. Thanks to Governor Brown and every advocate who made it happen!

Second, we have our full list of endorsements here. Our local volunteer teams, working with our dedicated staff, develop questionnaires that are well-known as the most comprehensive in Oregon. Candidates then sit down for interviews with our local volunteer teams or our statewide PAC board. Then, the teams recommend candidates for endorsement to our PAC board and a final decision is made. It’s a rigorous process that’s helped us elect champions for decades. We are so grateful for each volunteer who spent time helping identify Oregon’s environmental candidates - hours of work and deliberation. 

Finally, we want to give you ways to engage in this strange time. Normally, we ask volunteers to come knock doors - the single most effective way to increase voter turnout. But this time we are asking folks to volunteer from home. We need more help than ever to reach voters with information about who to vote for and how to make a plan to vote. You can click here to volunteer. 

If volunteering is not for you right now, you can support our staff in doing this work and double your gift through Tuesday as part of our virtual Annual Celebration with a gift here. We will put every contribution right to use, whether it’s using the newest tools to communicate remotely, putting postage on handwritten notes to voters, or supporting our hardworking staff.

Bottom line, it’s time to make your plan to vote. Ballots are due to elections officials by 8pm on Tuesday, May 19th. You can mail them—and for the first time ever, you don’t even need to use a stamp. You can also drop it off at your local drop-box, especially in the last several days before the 19th. Get your ballot in, and encourage your friends and family to do the same (you can even forward them this email!). 

I’d love to read your plan to vote or see your voting photos — send them along by replying to [email protected]. If you are okay with us sharing, say the word!

Sending my best to you and yours always,

Christy Splitt, OLCV Development Director and Oregon Voter

PS: I just want to give one more plug for our Virtual Annual Celebration. I am really proud of all of the work by our team that went into the interviews, the webinar, the thank you “note” by video, the website itself… And as of this morning, we are already about halfway to our goal of meeting the $3500 match generously provided by OBRC/Bottle Drop and some of our board members. The match ends Tuesday, so if you are inclined to help, please do so here.