The November 8, 2022 general election is quickly approaching, and it will be a crowded ballot with statewide and local races as well as policy initiatives. Here’s a quick overview of the statewide issues and educational resources.

Statewide Elections

Oregon will be choosing a new Governor and has a slate of three candidates vying for the role of chief executive. The nonpartisan Bureau of Labor Commissioner (BOLI) is also on the ballot and is an often overlooked yet critically important role for businesses in the state. Bend and Central Oregon are now part of the 5th Congressional District, and will be electing a new Congressional Representative.

5th Congressional District Candidates

Jamie McLeod Skinner

Lori Chavez-Deramer

Statewide Measures

There are four statewide initiatives on the ballot this fall, including the following:

• Measure 111: Amends the Oregon Constitution to add that the state “ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right”
• Measure 112: Repeals Oregon Constitution language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments and authorizes an Oregon court or a probation or parole agency to order alternatives to incarceration for a convicted individual
• Measure 113: Excludes state legislators from re-election for unexcused legislative absenteeism
• Measure 114: Requires a permit to purchase a firearm in Oregon, all permit holders must complete a background check and safety training to receive a permit. Bans the sale of high-capacity military style magazines that hold over 10 rounds.

Local Elections

The ballot will be crowded this election cycle with several notable local races, including Mayor and Bend City Council seats, Deschutes County Commissioner seats and State Legislative seats as well as a host of local initiatives. Redistricting has changed the boundary lines for HD 53, which includes Bend, Redmond, Tumalo and Sisters, but no longer includes Sunriver or any areas south of the City of Bend.

Mayor of Bend

Melanie Kebler

Chris Piper

Bend City Council Position 4

Barb Campbell

Karon Johnson

Bill Olsen

Erlin Taylor

Bend City Council Position 5

Ariel Mendez

Sean Sipe

Bend City Council Position 6

Julia Brown

Rick Johns

Mike Riley

Local Measures

Voters in Bend will see several initiatives on the ballot including the following. Residents in Redmond, La Pine and Sisters also have candidates and initiatives on the ballot and more information can be found here.

• Measure 9-148: Proposes making County Commissioner seats and elections nonpartisan
• Measure 9-152: Proposes prohibition of psilocybin manufacture and service centers in Deschutes County unincorporated areas (outside of city limits)
• Measure 9-155: Proposes bond ($249.7M) to renovate, maintain and update Bend-LaPine schools by maintaining current tax rate to supplement lost tax revenue from retirement of existing bonds

The Bend Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates. The information provided above is educational in nature.