Published 8:00 am Tuesday, May 5, 2026 From now until Election Day, Oregonians have the opportunity to exercise one of the most fundamental rights we have in this country: the right to vote. Two hundred fifty years ago, 13 American colonies declared their independence from an unjust and unrepresentative government, setting our country on a path toward a future when we the people get to choose our leaders. Since then, many courageous Americans have worked to build a nation where “all men are created equal” is more than just an ideal, but is reflected in our rights and freedoms, especially the right to vote. Oregon has played its part in this progress by pioneering vote-by-mail elections, the national gold standard for voter access and integrity. Every time we make it easier for citizens to make their voices heard, we get closer to that vision of a more perfect union. With the May 19 statewide election nearing and ballots already in the mail, I am encouraging all eligible Oregonians to make a plan to vote.…