✅ Get your May ballot in on time

What You Should Know About the Upcoming May Election

Oregon's primary election is right around the corner, and there's a lot on the ballot. Here are some key details and reminders to get your ballot in on time:

• Deadline to vote: Voters have until Election Day, May 19, to submit their ballots, but the Secretary of State's office advises those who want to vote by mail to send in their ballots at least seven days early to avoid potential postmark delays. County governments will begin mailing ballots tomorrow, April 29. [Oregonian]
• Urgent reminder: Today is the last day to register to vote or change your party affiliation, which is important because "only registered Democrats or Republicans will be able to vote in primaries for their party’s candidates." This means, for example, only registered Republicans can vote for the Republican nomination for governor. Nearly 40% of Oregon voters are not affiliated with a party, so there's a good chance this tip applies to you. [Oregonian]
• Key races: Republican voters will decide who will be running against Governor Tina Kotek this fall. There are currently four top contenders, with one poll showing State Sen. Christine Drazan in the lead. Voters will also weigh in on some contentious races for both the Oregon Senate and House and decide on a new Metro Council President, among other races. [Oregonian]
• More on the ballot: Voters will also decide on Measure 120, which gives voters a chance to reject the controversial gas tax passed by Oregon lawmakers in 2025, as well as a five-year property tax levy that would support local historical organizations, and efforts by two Portland-area school districts to raise local taxes to address budget cuts. [Oregon Capital Chronicle / Oregonian]

Baby Born on Flight To PDX

On Friday, a baby was born on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Portland. The mother gave birth to the baby midair, roughly 30 minutes before the plane made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport. Two Oregon EMTs — who happened to be on the flight returning from a vacation — helped deliver the baby. [KOIN]

Portland Students Protest Racism on Campus

Hundreds of students at Southeast Portland's Central Catholic High School walked out of class on Friday to protest how school leadership handled "a racist incident involving the school’s baseball team." Students are demanding a temporary suspension of the baseball coaching staff and for the players involved to be removed from the team for the remainder of the season. [Oregonian]

Local Summer Music Festivals To Get Excited About

Today on the podcast, we’re talking about how Oregon schools rank very low when it comes to hours of instruction time, what you need to know about the upcoming May primary election, and which local summer music festivals should be on your radar. Joining host Claudia Meza are KBOO news director Althea Billings and Portland Mercury music editor Nolan Parker. [City Cast Portland 🎧]