2026 youth power agenda 🔥🗳️
At Next Up Action Fund, we believe youth have the right to participate in decision-making about the world we live in and the future they’ll inherit.
That’s why we’re leading Primary Elections for First Time Voters, or SB 1574—our priority bill for the 2026 Legislative Session.
Primary Elections for First Time Voters (SB 1574) would allow 17 year olds who will be 18 by the general election to participate in all major-party primaries, ensuring we create the next generation of life long voters.
This is our moment to make history. Lawmakers are listening—but only if we speak up.
Please fill out the quick form below to send an email to your representatives to share your support for Primary Elections for First Time Voters (SB 1574).
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Key issues we’re supporting in 2026 . . . ✅
We have the power to organize for racial, gender, reproductive and immigrant justice—and win. Let’s come together to fight for our communities.
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Senate Bill 1547
As authoritarianism is rising across our country, we must do everything in power to expand and protect our Democracy. Oregon has a timely and crucial opportunity to invest in the next generation of life long voters, by allowing 17 year olds to participate in all major party primary elections if they will be 18 years old by the consecutive general election.
Anyone who is eligible to vote in the general election should get a say in nominating their party’s candidate during the primary election. Evidence shows voting in the first election you are eligible for increases the likelihood you will vote in the next election by 50%. When voters have a say in the primary election, there is more incentive for them to partake in the general election.
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Oregonians have experiences a 4,000% increase in immigration detainments in communities across the state. Violent pre-dawn sweeps have targeted predominantly Hispanic communities, spreading fear across the state including in Beaverton, Eugene, Cottage Grove, Salem, and Hood River. 7 local governments have declared states of emergency Federal attacks on immigrant families and cuts to safety net programs demand a strong response. Oregonians know that we are stronger together. When immigrant communities are targeted, our economy suffers, communities suffer, and critical systems are pushed to a breaking point. Leaders have a responsibility to protect children, stabilize health care, ensure equal access to justice, and defend against federal abuses of power.
This package contains 7 different policies and one additional package we are already supporting:
● Protect Your Door (PCUN, iracuello@pcun.org)
● Strengthen Existing Anti-Discrimination Protections (OR Law Center, PCUN, Latino Network, msonato@oregonlawcenter.org)
● Maintain Healthier Oregon Program (OR Health Latino Coalition, andrea@orlhc.org)
● School Safety Communication on ICE (Latino Network, mercedes@latnet.org)
● Ensure Equal Access to Justice and Help Children (Innovation Law Lab, NW Public Affairs, isa@innovationlawlab.org)
● Anti-Hunger Package (OR Food Bank, steo@oregonfoodbank.org)
● Law Enforcement Visibility and Accountability Act (LEVAA) (ACLU, maravilla@aclu-or.org)
● Data Broker Act (Innovation Law Lab, NW Public Affairs, isa@innovationlawlab.org)
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Food for All Oregonians (FFAO) coalition's legislative priority is the Anti-Hunger Package, which is a set of policies that prioritize food access and support immigrant communities. This package includes 4 different policies:
● School Meals For All
● Preserve & Strengthen SNAP
● Relief for Immigrants
● Food assistance
Primary Elections for First-Time Voters 🗳️
Primary elections are an integral part of the general election process as they directly narrow down which candidates will appear on the general ballot for each major party. Currently, 19 U.S. states allow 17-year-olds who are 18 by the date of the consecutive general election to participate in primary elections, but Oregon does not.
Oregon’s next step is simple: allow eligible 17-year-olds that will be 18 by the consecutive general election to participate in major-party primary elections. Anyone who is eligible to vote in the general election should get a say in nominating their party’s candidate during the primary election.
Voting early is proven to create lifelong voting habits and increase voter turnout. Evidence shows voting in the first election you are eligible for increases the likelihood you will vote in the next election by 50%. When voters have a say in the primary election, there is more incentive for them to partake in the general election.
Oregon is well-equipped to have a smooth transition to allowing 17-year-olds to participate in primary elections thanks to the state’s voter pre-registration program, that works in tandem with Automatic Voter Registration.
Plus, Oregon’s newly passed K-12 civics education standards will equip these first time voters with the knowledge necessary to vote—creating a more informed electorate coupled with SB 1574.