optional print cut ends

Congressional races straddle state, federal law

Oregon state and local elections are governed by the Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State. Candidates cannot officially file to run for office until Sept. 14. However, candidates can create campaign finance committees at any time. Oregon has one of the least restrictive campaign finance laws in the nation. Any person, business or group can give an unlimited amount of money as long as it is reported to the Secretary of State.

Congressional races are an exception. Candidates must wait until Sept. 14 to officially file to get on the ballot for 2024. But the Federal Elections Commission controls a much more complex campaign finance system. When candidates create a campaign finance committee, they must include a “statement of candidacy.” Another wrinkle is that unlike legislative races, candidates for the U.S. House do not have to live in the district – just the state. Chavez-DeRemer and Salinas both live just outside of the boundaries. McLeod-Skinner also lives just outside the 5th district, in Jefferson County, just north of Terrebonne.

While the U.S. Constitution doesn’t require candidates to live in their districts, one ironic impact is that they cannot vote for themselves since their residences are in other congressional districts. Chavez-DeRemer and Salinas live in Blumenauer’s district. McLeod-Skinner lives in Bentz’s district.