Oregon holds a U.S. Senate race and the governorship in 2026, on the ballot November 3, 2026, in a Democratic-leaning state that votes entirely by mail. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Oregon?
The U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Jeff Merkley is up. The governorship is on the ballot, with Democratic incumbent Tina Kotek. Below them: all of Oregon's U.S. House seats, including a competitive district, state offices, legislative races, and local contests.
What makes Oregon's races matter?
Oregon leans Democratic, anchored by the Portland metro and the Willamette Valley, but its rural east and south are strongly Republican, and it has a genuinely competitive U.S. House district that can matter to national House control. As a fully vote-by-mail state, every campaign runs turnout as a weeks-long ballot-return operation rather than a single Election Day push.
Why turnout decides Oregon
Oregon mails every voter a ballot, so the race is a chase to get ballots returned, an environment where text reminders and tracking are unusually powerful. A midterm lowers participation, and the competitive House district can turn on a modest number of returned ballots in the final weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big races in Oregon in 2026?
A U.S. Senate race, the seat held by Democrat Jeff Merkley, and the governorship with Democratic incumbent Tina Kotek, plus all U.S. House seats, including a competitive district, and state offices.
Why do Oregon's races matter?
Oregon leans Democratic via Portland and the Willamette Valley but has a strongly Republican rural expanse and a genuinely competitive House district that can affect national House control.
Why does turnout matter in Oregon?
Because Oregon votes entirely by mail, so the race is a weeks-long ballot-return chase, ideal for text reminders and tracking, and a midterm lowers the turnout that decides its competitive seats.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: GOTV texting in vote-by-mail states and the 2026 midterms are a turnout election.