Matt lifts up his three-year-old son, Theo, to cast his ballot into the Hillsboro Public Library-Shute Park ballot drop box on Election Day, voting on local races, a gas tax proposal and the Republican candidate for governor, in Hillsboro, Ore., on May 19, 2026. The two preferred to be identified by first name only.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Ballots will start arriving in mailboxes across Oregon and Washington later this week and we all have some important races to weigh in on.
Oregon is choosing a governor and Washington’s 3rd Congressional District could affect the balance of power in the U.S. House. A lot of the issues that are playing out at the national level are also top of mind for voters in Portland’s suburbs.
On this episode, four OPB reporters will help us learn more about some of the most important races and issues this election season. Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart fill us in on the Oregon governor’s race. Elena Neale-Sacks gives us the details about Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. And Holly Bartholomew talks about the ways in which Oregon’s Washington County is a microcosm of the national political landscape.
For even more smart political coverage, check out OPB’s 2026 ballot guide.
Listen to all episodes of “The Evergreen” podcast here.
