Progressive candidates, issues hold strong leads across Lane County

We’ve wrapped up our election night coverage. The next round of updated vote counts is expected to be released by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

10:55 p.m.

The 9:30 p.m. vote results didn’t offer any major surprises from the results released at 8 p.m. Some of the races got a little tighter — and some leads got a little bigger, but there were no reversals. Lane County elections officials say they plan to release the next vote count update at 5 p.m. Wednesday, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if it arrived a little earlier.

So, with that, we’re going to close up shop for the night here at Lookout. Thanks for sticking with us during a long and memorable day. We’ll see you Wednesday.

— Mike McInally

10:53 p.m.

A word about turnout: As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, turnout in Lane County was about 49.5%, according to the Secretary of State’s office. That number will grow over the next week, as more ballots make their way to the Lane County.

Lane County turnout in the November 2022 election — the last time the ballot had a contested governor’s race — was about 69%. By comparison, turnout in the May 2006 midterm was about 74%.

— Mike McInally

10:46 p.m.

Eugene Clean Energy Fund holds 15-point lead

Measure 20-388, the Eugene Clean Energy Fund, was leading in early returns Tuesday, with 57.8% of voters in favor and 42.2% opposed, according to the Lane County Elections Office.

Dozens of people packed into a patio at Oakshire Public House erupted in cheers as the first-round results came in at 8 p.m. 

Joel Iboa, one of the measure’s chief petitioners, took to a small stage at the front and led a round of applause — specifically, the slow, steady United Farm Workers clap that represents solidarity.  

“I’m the proud son of immigrants. I was born and raised here in the Whiteaker in Eugene, Oregon, and I can’t think of a better place to celebrate what we just did tonight,” said Iboa, who is the executive director with the Oregon Just Transition Alliance. 

— Ashli Blow

10 p.m.

Tina Kotek declares victory

Democratic incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek declared victory Tuesday night after early election results showed her leading two-time challenger, Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan of Canby, by more than 7 percentage points in returns released after 9 p.m., according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

“Because of your work and support, I am proud to stand here as your next governor of the beautiful state of Oregon,” Kotek told hundreds of supporters. “I hope it’s OK, but we have four more years together.”

— Bob Passaro

9:45 p.m.

Jack Tibbetts, a Republican, leads the race for Oregon Senate District 6, 9:30 p.m. returns show. Tibbetts had 60.54% of the votes, while Sierrah Williams, a Democrat, had 37.61% of the votes.

“Right now, I’m feeling a lot of gratitude for the people who worked really hard on this campaign and spent time going between Linn, Lane and Marion County, putting up signs and connecting with voters,” Tibbetts said. “The results so far look good. We’re happy about that. We hope that they hold. It’s not over till it’s over.”

– Lillian Schrock-Clevenger

9:36 p.m.

Buch and Pelroy weigh in on early results

In remarks to attendees at the Wild Duck, incumbent Heather Buch said she is cautiously optimistic about her early lead in the race to represent the East Lane District on the Lane County Board of Commissioners.

Her opponent, Jake Pelroy, who was tuning in to results at a watch party at the Saginaw Winery near Cottage Grove, is also holding out for the next vote return. 

“Obviously I wish I was on the other side of those numbers,” Pelroy told Lookout Eugene-Springfield, adding: “There’s a lot of votes yet to be counted.”

– Ben Botkin and Lillian Schrock-Clevenger

9:28 p.m.

Voters throughout Lane County choose public officials, decide ballot measures

In Dunes City, the hot local issue was a proposal to prohibit short-term vacation rentals and adding requirements for existing rentals. The proposal was failing in unofficial returns as of 8 p.m. Tuesday by 54 votes out of 776 counted. But the mayoral candidate who supported the measure, Chris John, was leading the incumbent, Edward McGuire, by 17 votes.

Mixed results tonight on a pair of ballot measures for Lane County ambulance districts. A request to renew a local option tax for the Western Lane Ambulance District appears to have passed with 81% voters approving. But a request in Oakridge to replace a monthly ambulance fee with a local option tax is failing, with about 64% of voters opposed, in unofficial results as of 8 p.m. Tuesday.

In Florence, Sally Wantz enjoyed a lead in a three-way race for mayor. In unofficial returns as of 8 p.m., Wantz had about 50.6% of the vote, with Daniel Lofy following with 41.6% and Shannon Warren in third with 7.6%.

Florence voters also were electing four city councilors. In a four-way race for two-year term, incumbent Mike Webb had the lead with 30.1% of the vote. But two councilors will be elected, and the race for the second position is close, with Haylee Cole in second place (26.3%) and Renee Lo Pilato in third with 25.15%. Elijah Yager is in fourth with 18%

– Mike McInally

9:13 p.m.

Kori Rodley, in remarks to supporters, said she remembers what she heard on the campaign trail: “Door after door after door in Springfield, people are hurting. They’re feeling the pain of what’s going on economically. They’re paying more for groceries. They don’t have access to healthcare.”

She said those experiences will motivate her when she arrives in Salem and works to help working families. Rodley was leading her Republican opponent, Adam Wilson, by 14 percentage points.

– Ben Botkin

8:44 p.m.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, chatted with attendees and sported a shirt predicting what Democrats at the Wild Duck wanted — a blue wave.

– Ben Botkin

8:40 p.m.

Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has strong lead in initial election results

Democratic incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek appeared to be fending off her Republican challenger in her quest for a second term. Kotek led Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan of Canby, by more than 11 percentage points in initial election results posted shortly after 8 p.m.

8:35 p.m.

Buch leading Pelroy in early returns in race for Lane County commissioner

Heather Buch was leading in early returns Tuesday in her bid for a third four-year term on the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Buch had 51.5% of the vote, while challenger Jake Pelroy had 48.3% in results released at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The difference was 855 votes.

– Ben Botkin

8:33 p.m.

Rodley leads Springfield House race

Kori Rodley, a Democrat, leads in the race for the Oregon House of Representatives 7th District, which includes Springfield, early returns show. Rodley had 56.8% of the votes, while Adam Wilson had 42.7%, as of 8 p.m. Tuesday.

– Lillian Schrock-Clevenger

8:26 p.m.

Hoyle leading DeSpain in 4th Congressional District rematch; AP calls race for Merkley

Val Hoyle was leading in early returns Tuesday in her bid for reelection to her 4th Congressional District seat with 54.49% of the vote. She was facing a familiar foe, Republican Monique DeSpain, who had 42.55% of the vote.

– Ben Botkin

8:22 p.m.

Ackland takes early lead in Springfield City Council race

Callee Ackland leads in the race for the Springfield City Council Ward 4 seat, early returns show. Ackland had 56.8% of the votes, while Jill Cuadros had 45.5%, as of 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Ackland is a tenant support specialist at the nonprofit Springfield Eugene Tenant Association and serves on the Springfield Planning Commission. Cuadros is a support services director at Eugene School District 4J and is interim Ward 4 councilor. 

– Lillian Schrock-Clevenger

8:15 p.m.

Voters at the Wild Duck Cafe, where the Democratic Party of Lane County is having its watch party, cheered a “blue wave” as results rolled in.

– Ben Botkin

8:11 p.m.

Eugene Clean Energy Fund leads in early results

Measure 20-388, the Eugene Clean Energy Fund, was leading in early returns Tuesday night, with 57.8% of voters in favor and 42.2% opposed, according to the Lane County Elections Office.

“We could not be more proud,” Beyond Toxics executive director Jen Davis said in a speech as the first results were released.

– Ashli Blow

8:07 p.m.

Aguiar leads Clark in race for Eugene City Council Ward 5

Athena Aguiar has taken an early lead in the race for Eugene City Council’s Ward 5 seat, initial Tuesday night returns show. Aguiar had captured 57.9% of the vote as of about 8 p.m. Her opponent, incumbent Councilor Mike Clark, trailed with about 42% of the vote, according to the Lane County Elections Office.

– Grace Chinowsky

8:06 p.m.

At the Wild Duck Cafe, where the Democratic Party of Lane County is having its watch party, the crowd erupted into cheers with the initial results reported including incumbent Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch up 3%.

– Ben Botkin

7:59 p.m.

Attendees of an election night watch party at Saginaw Vineyard participated in a prize raffle as Fox News delivers updates on results from around the nation. 

Republican candidates Jack Tibbetts, a farmer and rancher from Cottage Grove running to represent Oregon’s Senate District 6, Jake Pelroy, who is running against Heather Buch for Lane County Commissioner, and incumbent Cottage Grove City councilor Christine Hyink were in attendance. 

— Lillian Schrock-Clevenger

7:45 p.m.

As national results rolled in, with Democrats expected to take the U.S. House, nearly two dozen University of Oregon students at an event with UO Climate Justice League discussed how the election outcome could influence the federal management of public land in western Oregon. 

Hosted in conjunction with Cascadia Wildlands, UO Climate Justice League held an information session on campus about the Bureau of Land Management’s proposal to open up more land in western Oregon for logging — a move aligned with Trump’s executive orders to prioritize domestic timber. 

Environmental activists have been looking to the midterms as candidates across party lines have campaigned on public lands, but Congress does not have direct input on the BLM proposal. 

— Ashli Blow

6:53 p.m.

Election worker Mary Ellen Rodgers has worked on election days in varying roles, including as a poll worker, exit poll interviewer, and ballot sorter, since 1982. Rodgers said she tries to stay involved in elections as a way to honor the legacy of early suffragettes.

“As a woman, for a long time, we couldn’t even do this,” Rodgers said. “It has helped me appreciate those that came before us. It makes me feel like I’m involved.”

— Nick Rohlman

5:14 p.m.

Zooming in on Eugene City Council turnout 

The last time the Eugene City Council Ward 5 seat was up for grabs was 2022, when Mike Clark ran unopposed. In that year’s primary, 6,607 voters in the ward returned ballots. Over one-third of those voters skipped the council race.

By comparison, 8,507 Ward 5 voters returned ballots in the 2026 May primary, when there were three candidates on the ballot. About 10% of those ballots left the council race blank.

The Clark-Aguiar race could draw high turnout in today’s election. The Ward 5 election did in May; more voters weighed in on that race in the primary than any of the other three contested council races on the ballot.

Considering that general elections historically receive higher turnout than primaries, there will likely be even more ballots cast in the Ward 5 rematch this November. That’s against the backdrop that overall statewide turnout is expected to surpass recent years’ midterms.

– Grace Chinowsky

3:31 p.m.

Eugene Clean Energy Fund supporters prepare for final canvassing 

About 15 supporters of the Eugene Clean Energy Fund, Measure 20-388, gathered in a small campaign office to prepare for one last round of canvassing.

The “Yes” campaign has been knocking on doors since September and hopes to reach its 26,000th before ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. It’s only a few hundred short.

“We’ll have covered, you know, a majority of Eugene in this past six weeks, and that is crazy,” campaign manager Joey Klascius told the group in a short speech. “That’s where impact happens, so we’re going to finish strong.”

Calling it a “close election,” Klascius said the goal was to reach last-minute voters and people who might otherwise skip a midterm election.

Jennifer Smith, the incoming Ward 3 Eugene City Councilor, was among those getting ready to canvass for the measure. So was Nicholas Royal, who has been working on the campaign as a political adviser. 

“I’m just excited, jittery,” said Royal, who described the last few weeks as “nonstop.”

To power through the final stretch, they fueled up on pizza and leftover Halloween candy as Charli XCX played from a laptop’s speakers. Then they grabbed handouts and clipboards and headed out the door.

— Ashli Blow

2:25 p.m.

Statewide voter turnout looking higher than usual for mid-term election

Oregon Capital Chronicle reporter Alex Baumhardt reports that more than 1.5 million eligible Oregon voters had cast their ballots by the morning of Election Day. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read says overall turnout was “expected to surpass recent years’ midterms, with average turnout in the high 60% of registered voters,” Baumhardt writes.

1:55 p.m.

Lookout opinion editor breaks down key races

We’re hours away from the 8 p.m. release of initial ballot results. Here are the top local races I’ll be keeping an eye on tonight:

A progressive breakthrough on the Eugene City Council?

The runoff race for Ward 5 between longtime incumbent Mike Clark and progressive challenger Athena Aguiar has seen its share of twists and turns. Clark and Aguiar emerged from the three-candidate primary in May, separated by fewer than 200 votes. 

But then there’s the nearly 1,700 votes that the third candidate, Jasmine Hatmaker, received. There’s a clear pathway for Aguiar to unseat Clark should those Hatmaker voters come out again and side with her. An Aguiar victory would end Clark’s 20-year City Council career, and give the council’s progressive wing a clear majority next year.

A nail-biter in the county commissioner race

The other big runoff has incumbent Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch defending her East Lane seat against challenger Jake Pelroy, who nearly won the seat outright in the May primary.

Bob Zybach, the third candidate in the race, effectively helped Buch avoid that outcome, taking nearly 5% of the vote total and preventing fellow conservative Pelroy from securing 50% of the vote.

But with Buch and Pelroy now going head-to-head in a campaign that has seen nearly $1 million in spending between the two candidates, this race could go either way.

Sorting through the Springfield noise

I’ve written a bit about the surprisingly nasty tone in the Springfield City Council race between appointed incumbent Jill Cuadros and challenger Callee Ackland. Accusations of trespassing, sign stealing, letters to the editor and social media posts by the candidates’ supporters painting their opponent as corrupt and controlled by corporate or union interests.

Ackland has a wide block of support from younger Springfield residents and Democratic Party of Lane County organizers. Spend time on social media sites like Instagram or Reddit, and it would be hard not to believe she’ll win in a landslide.

But I’m wondering about what might be called the “quiet Cuadros voter,” residents who may be supporting her without discussing it publicly. Springfield has about 3,700 more registered Democrats than Republicans, but there are far more nonaffiliated voters than members of either party.

Sustainability or pocketbooks?

In May, local environmental advocates’ hopes of passing the Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights were dashed by the measure’s resounding defeat.

Will the Eugene Clean Energy Fund fare better tonight? I’m predicting a much closer result than the roughly 62-38% margin the watersheds bill failed by. The clean energy fund is only on Eugene voters’ ballots, while the watersheds bill was countywide. While watersheds supporters were vastly outspent by the measure’s opponents, clean energy fund supporters have the cash advantage this time around. 

Opponents paint the measure as a “hidden tax” that affected companies will pass on to consumers. Supporters contest that claim, but what voters think will ultimately determine the measure’s fate.

— Elon Glucklich, Lookout Eugene-Springfield opinion editor

1:42 p.m.

Looking for an election watch party? If you’re a University of Oregon student, faculty, staff (or family member to one of those categories), you can attend the election night watch party this evening in the UO School of Journalism and Communication.

The free watch party will be hosted by SOJC Professor of Practice and Lookout contributor Will Yurman. No registration is required and there will be free pizza.

• When: 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3
• Where: Allen Hall, Room 140, 1020 University St.
• How much: Free for UO students, staff, faculty and their families

— Leo Heffron

12:58 p.m.

Aidan Thevoz, 20, of Eugene, rode his bike to drop off his ballot on Election Day.

Thevoz, who recently began working at a convenience store after being unemployed for about six months, said that expanding mental healthcare access was the most important issue for him this election season. Thevoz says that he has dealt with long wait times to see mental health providers and has often had to wait several months between appointments.

Thevoz said he voted a straight ticket for Democrats because of their support for expanding mental healthcare access. But he said he felt as if he were choosing “the lesser of two evils.” Thevoz felt that the Democratic candidates could be more supportive of workers rights and, in particular, he would have liked to see more candidates supporting a minimum wage increase. “The economy is in a state where minimum wage is not enough to get by,” Thevoz said.

— Nick Rohlman

12:34 p.m.

Over the lunch hour, voters kept up a steady but quiet stream to the ballot drop box at the Springfield Public Library downtown.

A two-person crew hauled small barricades into place to direct drive-up traffic. Some voters pulled up in their cars there; others on foot fit in the stop on a midday break, walking a dog or dropping off a ballot mid-run.

Signs for both Springfield City Council Ward 4 candidates, Callee Ackland and Jill Cuadros, dotted the yards of the Historic Washburne District around City Hall.

— Ashli Blow

12:28 p.m.

Spencer Peck, 37, of Eugene, delivered his ballot to a drop box near the Lane County Courthouse on Election Day. 

Peck usually drops his ballot on Election Day, he said — more because of procrastination than a sense of tradition. Peck, who owns a security business in Eugene, declined to say how he voted but said he typically pays more attention to local rather than national elections.

“For me local elections are more important,” Peck said. “I want lower taxes. I want our communities to be safe, and I want our schools not to be ranked 48th out of 50.”

— Nick Rohlman

12:03 p.m.

Anxious about the election? You’re not alone.

Voters are bombarded around the clock with news bulletins, texts and social media posts, so no wonder they feel anxious about today’s election. We took some time ahead of Election Day to talk with Lane County residents looking for ways to turn down the heat.

— Mike McInally

11:13 a.m.

A look inside the ballot counting operation

What happens to your ballot after you’ve cast your vote and handed it in? Last week, Lane County Clerk Tommy Gong took media on a tour of the operation, explaining how ballots go through an 8-step process, including collection, sorting, signature verification, extraction and scanning, all carried out by bipartisan teams of election workers.

— Lillian Schrock-Clevenger

Read more about the life of a Lane County ballot in a story by Ben Botkin. 

11:07 a.m.

Tune in live to watch election crews at work

Did you know you can watch the “action” in the Lane County Elections Office live on YouTube?

— Bob Passaro

10:40 a.m.

The Election Day backdrop came up in public comment at the Lane County Board of Commissioners meeting, when several members of the public raised concerns about the county’s handling of the CleanLane contract, which Lookout has reported on extensively. 

One commenter, Ruben Garcia of Eugene, told commissioners that putting CleanLane on the ballot would have been the preferred path, as the city is doing with the Eugene Clean Energy Fund measure on the ballot today. 

“Giving the public an opportunity to vote on this plan would have been ideal and quite prudent, like the clean energy initiative that will be on our ballots today,” Garcia said. “They’re giving us a choice. They’re not forcing it down our throats like you have done with CleanLane.”

— Ben Botkin

10:12 a.m.

A surge in ballot returns expected today

As of Monday evening, voter turnout in Lane County is just over 49%, but that should jump as last-day voters turn in their ballots Tuesday.

Though you can technically still mail your ballot, making sure it’s postmarked by this Election Day, state elections officials recommend you take your ballot to an official drop box. Here’s a list of Lane County drop boxes.

— Mike McInally

See Mike McInally’s full story with details on turnout, ballots, when results are expected, and more.

10:10 a.m.

Local fire levies common on ballots all across the state

Senior reporter Alex Baumhardt of the Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that “voters in a quarter of Oregon’s 36 counties will vote in Tuesday’s election on whether to raise local property taxes to fund struggling fire districts and departments trying to keep up with rising costs and record acreage burned.”

Among 80 local measures on ballots across the state, 16 would fund rural fire districts and departments. In other local measures around the state, six cities will be deciding to either tax or ban the sale of marijuana or psilocybin.

— Bob Passaro