During the 2021 legislative session, we supported and championed bills that addressed breaking down systemic barriers to civic participation. We were able to support the passage of numerous bills rooted in racial, gender, and economic justice, such as updating ballot postmark date to election day, the voter language access act, ending slavery, child care for Oregon, the sanctuary promise act, and so many more.
In even number years (like this year) we only have a little over a month to pass critical legislation that will support thriving communities. We’re ready to finish what we started in 2021. We’re pushing to transform our public safety system, end voter disenfranchisement of incarcerated Oregonians, expand access to voter registration online, pass legal representation for Immigrants, and fair wages for farmworkers. Find out more about each policy below and take action by contacting your lawmakers today.
2022 Legislative Priorities
Restoration of Voting Rights
HB 4147
Voting is a civil right. Yet, Oregon still has a law in place from the 1850s that was developed during Jim crow era policies to restrict Black people’s right to vote. In 2022, we have the opportunity to overturn more than a century of voter disenfranchisement. This bill will restore the right to vote to citizens currently serving prison sentences for felony convictions.
Online Voter Registration Modernization (OVR+)
HB 4133
Currently, Oregonians without an Oregon-issued driver’s license must register to vote with a paper form due to a lack of signature on file with the DMV. An expanded online voter registration system (OVR+) allows for registrants to upload an image of their signature and register online with the last four digits of their social security number. With an OVR+ system, more Oregonians will be able to conveniently register to vote and update their registrations.
Fair Shot for All Platform
Passing policies we need the most
We’re proud to be a Fair Shot For All coalition partner. Our work as a coalition is centered on ideas and input from those both historically and currently bearing the burden of unjust systems. In 2022, Fair Shot for All will be focused on: Universal Legal Representation, Transforming Justice, and Farmworker Overtime.