By: Violet Wilson, ORHA President
August 2026

President’s Message: What can you do by November?

While there appears likely to be a blue Democratic wave for the next election cycle through many states this November, Oregon may buck that trend. In some polls, Republican Christine Drazan has a small lead over current Governor Tina Kotek.

The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, a well-regarded polling firm with ties to Republicans. It had a margin of error of 4%, meaning either candidate could be ahead. Meanwhile, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report changed its rating of the race Friday, nudging the contest from “Solid D” to “Likely D”. The nonpartisan newsletter Inside Elections bumped the race to “Lean D” from “Solid D” late last month.

Inside Elections wrote in its June 25 edition. “Kotek is unpopular and voters may be open to change after decades of Democratic control.” Oregonians are unhappy about the condition of the state and have lost faith in Kotek to turn things around after nearly four years in office.

Drazan is less well known to voters, however, with fewer than 80% of respondents reporting they’d heard of her, compared to 99% with Kotek.

For landlords, it matters who the next governor will be. She will guide the direction that Oregon goes. Drazan supports the following:

• Incentivizing construction of affordable housing and banning corporate and foreign investors from purchasing residential real estate.
• Government should not impose rent control policies on landlords
• Landlords should not be banned from using software to coordinate rent prices
• Homeowners building small backyard cottages without a permit

So, what can you do by November?

1. Register or Update Your Voter Registration
   • The deadline to register for voting in Oregon is Oct. 13, 2026.
   • You can register online via the Oregon Secretary of State’s My Vote portal, by mail, or in person at your county elections office or the DMV Oregon Secretary of State.
   • If you’re already registered, make sure your address and party affiliation are up to date.
2. Attend Meetings and learn about the candidates
3. Volunteer
   • Help at campaign events, fundraisers, or community gatherings.
   • Opportunities include voter registration drives, canvassing, and social media support
   • Help at campaign events, fundraisers, or community gatherings.
4. Support Local Candidates that support landlord issues
5. Make phone calls or knock on doors to encourage voter turnout
6. Stay Informed and Engaged
7. Encourage Others to Vote
   • Share information about supportive candidates and ballot measures with friends, family, and neighbors.
   • Remind others to register and vote early to avoid last-minute issues.
8. Contribute to the ORH PAC: Funds support candidates who support landlord issues. See link in this newsletter.

By starting early — registering, attending meetings, volunteering, and contributing to the PAC — you can help build momentum for supportive candidates in Oregon before the November election.