Topographic map of Deschutes County.

You are very likely aware that Oregon has closed primaries. But if not, here’s the skinny. Our national two-party political system holds major party, Republican and Democrat, primary elections every two years. These are partisan races meaning candidates must declare party affiliation. In May primaries, each major party publicly determines which Democratic and Republican candidate will advance to the November General election. A “closed primary” means that only registered Republicans can vote for “R” candidates and only registered Democrats can vote for “D” candidates. So, if a voter is not a member of either major party, their May ballots will not include the major party primaries. Voters affiliated with the major parties thus have a choice advantage over all other voters and their candidates enjoy greater visibility than other partisan candidates.

Some states have open primaries, meaning all registered voters, not just those registered Republican or Democrat, can vote in May for candidates in the major party primaries. Sweet. Oregon does not have that sweetness.

Because Oregon has closed primaries, citizens of Deschutes voted two years back for change. You voted for a measure (initiated by citizens) to make the Deschutes County Commission seats nonpartisan by a large margin. Therefore, the open seat for county commissioner this election year, currently held by Commissioner Phil Chang, is no longer partisan. As a nonpartisan seat, all Deschutes County commissioner candidates will appear on the ballot without party affiliation and all registered voters can vote their choices during the same election. Notably, unaffiliated voters comprising 1/3 of all registered voters in our county and other minor party voters, will see county commissioner candidates on their May ballots for the first time.

If any of the four candidates running for county commissioner this May, including the incumbent, win 50% of the votes plus one or more votes, that candidate wins. No campaigning necessary for November for the winner who will be installed January 2025. A possibility for less campaigning, YAY! If no one gets above 50% of the votes in May, the top two candidates will progress to the November election. Good voter turnout in May matters – VOTE!

But wait, you can improve things, again! Consider that we have had three commissioners since 1971 when the county had a population of just over 30,000 — each commissioner represented 10,000 people. Today, Deschutes County’s population is over 206,000 — each commissioner represents 68,700 people. Hmmm. Also, our three commissioners oversee an operating budget of $400.4 million and if they disagree, any two commissioners decide the fate of those funds. Again, hmmm. Recently, citizens wanting to improve county representation created an initiative petition to increase the county commissioner seats from three to five. Interested? Look here; Represent Deschutes – Expand the Deschutes County Commission, representdeschutes.com.

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