Building youth power in Oregon
Because of our work, 93.7% of eligible Oregonian’s are registered to vote.
Believing in the power of the youth vote has led us to massive victories. Since 2007, Next Up has championed policies to redesign our elections system in order to breakdown systemic barriers and amplify marginalized communities. These efforts have helped make Oregon the #1 easiest state to vote in, with 90.2% of the state registered to vote. We passed online voter registration, the nation’s first automatic voter registration (AVR) law, created a pre-registration program for 16 and 17-year-olds, passed Paid Postage for ballots, and have championed accessibility and language improvements.
Paid Postage
Passed in 2019
With the passage of paid postage, voting is finally free in Oregon, with every single mailbox becoming a dropbox. This reform will help ensure there’s a ballot in the hands of every eligible voter, and that everyone participates. Signed into law on August 2nd, 2019, it is estimated that this bill will increase voter turnout by an astonishing 5-10%!
Transform Justice
Passed in 2022
Reduce racial disparities in traffic stops; Improve success for people on probation and parole with a rule-making process that can, in some cases, prevent parole and probation officers from visiting the people they supervise at work; Create the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program to fund services that promote racial equity, address racial disparities prevalent in Oregon’s criminal justice system, and reduce prison use.
OVR+
Passed in 2022
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.
1st AVR Law
Passed in 2015
After a half-decade of leadership and advocacy from Next Up alongside a coalition of advocates, Oregon was the first state to pass automatic voter registration in 2015. It became operational in 2016, automatically registering eligible citizens to vote, and update their registration addresses through DMV records.
Drop Boxes +
Passed in 2016
Passed reform with the OSA to add additional drop box locations on college campuses. In the first months of OMV/AVR, nearly 100,000 Oregonians were added to the voter rolls. To help educate new voters and encourage them to vote, the Bus partnered with The Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund to do a multi layered voter mobilization effort through door and phone contact to increase turnout among these new, largely low-propensity voters. We also won the creation of the Open & Accountable Elections public campaign funding program at the City of Portland in a large coalition effort.
Pre-Register Voters
Passed in 2017 + 2007
Recognizing the impact of automatic voter registration and the infrequency with which Oregonians access the DMV, we decided to expand pre-registration to 16-year-olds in 2017. We won in the legislature and as of January 1, 2018, all eligible 16 and 17 year-olds can register to vote. According to Oregon’s Secretary of State office, 195,500 16 and 17-year-olds have pre-registered to vote.
2007
One of the biggest barriers to voting is registration. By getting 16 and 17-year-olds registered to vote before they turn 18, we’re helping build good habits and strong voters. We led the charge for pre-registration in 2007, securing pre-registration for 17-year-olds.
2008
Formed the Bus Federation (now the Alliance for Youth) as a part of the Bus Project, developing a national hub for youth organizing.
2009
Passed online voter registration and voter registration accessibility requirements for all high schools in Oregon, through a legislative campaign coordinated by Youth Vote Coalition (Bus, Oregon Student Association, & OSPIRG). This was also the year that the idea for Automatic Voter Registration was born.
2010
Won creation of the state National Voter Registration Compliance Act, focused on improving voter registration at public assistance agencies, in collaboration with Oregon Common Cause.