Oregon governor race heads to voters Nov. 3

Oregon's race for governor goes before voters Tuesday, Nov. 3, with incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek facing Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan.

The state has more than 3.1 million active registered voters, according to the Oregon Secretary of State's election results site. Oregon is a vote-by-mail state. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day. County clerk offices will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The secretary of state's office recommended voters return ballots by mail no later than Oct. 27. Ballots postmarked by Election Day will be accepted through Nov. 10, according to the state elections page.

OPB reported that a poll from earlier in the campaign showed Drazan with a slim lead over Kotek, though the margin fell within the survey's margin of error.

The candidates

Tina Kotek (Democrat) has served as governor since 2023, according to Ballotready records. She holds a master's degree in international studies and comparative religion from the University of Washington, according to the Western Governors' Association. Before entering elected office, she worked as policy director at Children First for Oregon from 2003 to 2006. In 2013, she became the first openly lesbian speaker of a U.S. state house, according to Wikipedia.

On her campaign website, Kotek lists goals that include improving Oregon's graduation rates to 90% for all student groups by 2027 and expanding outreach professionals and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders. On social media, Kotek has said she delivered more than $200 million to build shelters and provide rental assistance.

Christine Drazan (Republican) represents Oregon Senate District 26, a seat she has held since October 2025, according to Wikipedia. She previously served as House minority leader from 2019 to 2021. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from George Fox University, according to Ballotpedia.

On her campaign website, Drazan says she grew up in Southern Oregon and lived in 15 different homes before graduating from high school after her family moved often due to the decline of the timber industry. According to KATU, Drazan's campaign says she would balance the Oregon Department of Transportation budget without new taxes, prioritizing maintenance and operations. On immigration, her campaign says sanctuary laws have gone too far and that law enforcement should be able to cooperate with federal authorities to apprehend violent criminals.

The two candidates appeared together at a gubernatorial debate at the University of Oregon in Eugene on Oct. 1, according to OPB.

How to vote and track results

Election-night results are unofficial. The secretary of state's office publishes results at results.oregonvotes.gov as counties report. The Associated Press gathers results from local officials and declares winners when its decision team determines trailing candidates no longer have a path to victory.

The state Voters' Pamphlet, sent to every Oregon household, includes candidate statements, ballot measures and election deadlines.

Results (pending)

Results will be added when officially available from the Oregon Secretary of State. Election-night totals are unofficial until certified.