Donald Trump secured a historic victory, becoming the 47th President of the United States after previously serving as the 45th, following Grover Cleveland to become one of only two previous presidents who returned to office after serving a term and then failing in their first reelection bid.

Trump's win was decisive, with the former president not only securing the necessary 270 electoral votes but also winning the popular vote. Preliminary figures show Trump garnering approximately 74 million votes to Kamala Harris's 69 million, marking a significant shift from previous elections. This outcome suggests a broader appeal for Trump's message across diverse demographics and regions.

The increased enthusiasm in precincts and districts that supported Trump in 2016 and 2020, coupled with lower voter turnout for Harris, indicates a flagging enthusiasm for Democratic priorities. Harris, who rose to prominence through Biden's vice presidential selection and subsequent party processes when Biden dropped his reelection campaign this past summer, struggled to convince voters that her agenda aligned with their priorities. This outcome could be seen as a reflection on the Democratic Party's overall approach, given Harris's unique path to candidacy.

As has been the case for decades, Oregon presents a contrasting narrative to the national trend, as Democratic candidates continue to do well in the Pacific Northwest. Here, Harris secured a substantial victory. The state's largest demographic areas – Portland, Washington County, Eugene/Springfield, Salem, Bend, and Corvallis/Albany – continued to show robust support for Democratic policies and candidates. Rural Oregon voters continue to support GOP candidates and policies.

In Congressional races, two contests in the Pacific Northwest remain undecided. The race between Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer and challenger Janelle Bynum in Oregon, and the contest between Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Joe Kent in Washington, are still awaiting final tallies.

Val Hoyle, Democratic US Representative since 2023 when she took over for long-time Representative Peter DeFazio, was reelected to serve as Representative in Congress of Oregon's 4th Congressional District.

At the state level, Oregon voters elected Democrats to key statewide offices. Tobias Read, Secretary of State since 2017, again was reelected Secretary of State, Dan Rayfield won the race for Attorney General, and Elizabeth Steiner emerged victorious as State Treasurer.

Oregon voters rejected two significant ballot measures. Measure 117, which proposed implementing ranked choice voting for statewide races, failed to pass. Similarly, Measure 118, which sought to increase taxes on large corporations and provide annual rebates to Oregon residents, was not approved.

In Lane County, voters rejected Ballot Measure 20-362, which would have established an independent commission for redistricting. The measure failed with approximately 75% of voters opposed, maintaining the current system where county commissioners retain authority over district approval.

Several uncontested races in Eugene resulted in expected outcomes. Kaarin Knudson was elected as Eugene Mayor as Mayor Lucy Vinis steps down, while Eliza Kashinsky, Matt Keating, Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves secured City Council positions. Laurie Trieger ran unopposed for reelection to Position 3 on the Lane County Commission.

In Portland, which implemented ranked choice voting for the first time, trucking company owner Keith Wilson held a substantial lead in the mayoral race as of the latest count. However, with a significant portion of votes yet to be tallied, the final result may change.

Washington state elected Bob Ferguson as their new governor. Ferguson, who previously served as the state's attorney general during the last Trump administration, played a prominent role in legal challenges to various Trump policies.

Attention will now shift to how these results will shape policy and governance at local, state, and national levels in the coming years. The contrasts between national trends and regional preferences, particularly in states like Oregon, underscore the complex and diverse nature of a democracy where it seems that after most elections of recent memory, just about half of the population declares victory and half remains disappointed with the outcome.

Oregon Statewide Ballot Measure Breakdown

Measure 115: Impeachment of State Elected Officials

Passed

This measure, which would amend the Oregon Constitution to allow impeachment of state officials, appears to have passed. It gives the State House of Representatives the power to impeach the Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, or Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Measure 116: Salaries for Elected Officials

Failed

Early returns indicate this measure is likely to fail. It would have established an "Independent Public Service Compensation Commission" to set salaries for most elected officials in the state government.

Measure 117: Statewide Ranked-Choice Voting

Failed

This measure, which proposed implementing ranked-choice voting for most statewide elections, appears to have been rejected by voters.

Measure 118: Corporate Tax Revenue Rebate

Failed

Voters seem to have rejected this measure, which would have added a 3% gross receipts tax on corporations with sales exceeding $25 million and distributed the revenue to Oregon taxpayers through rebates.

Measure 119: Cannabis Industry Labor Relations

Passed

This measure, requiring cannabis retailers and processors to remain neutral during labor organization efforts, is likely to pass based on early results.

Lane County Ballot Measures

Measure 20-359: Change Lane County Charter Spending Limits

Failed

This measure to repeal Section 32 of the Lane County Charter was narrowly defeated, with 51% voting against and 49% in favor, meaning that spending limits established in 1984 remain.

Measure 20-360: Change Lane County Charter That Preserves East Alton Baker Park

Passed

Voters approved the repeal of Section 33 of the Lane County Charter by a slim margin, with 52% voting in favor and 48% against.

Measure 20-361: Repeal County Income Tax Restrictions on How A Non-Existent Income Tax is Used by County

Failed

The proposal to repeal Section 34 of the Lane County Charter was rejected, with 56% voting against and 44% in favor.

Measure 20-362: Independent Redistricting Commission

Failed

Lane County voters decisively rejected this measure, with approximately 75% voting against it. The measure would have created an independent commission to review and establish new Lane County Commissioner districts for the 2026 election.

Measure 20-363: Oakridge Mandate to Allow Public Comment Before City Council Meetings

Passed

The City of Oakridge overwhelmingly approved adopting a new charter, with 74% voting in favor and 26% against, now mandating that all city council meetings must precede council discussion with an allowance for public comment, that all meetings must be video recorded, and other changes.

Measure 20-364: STAR Voting for Oakridge City Elections

Failed

Oakridge voters narrowly rejected a measure to allow voters to show preferences between candidates for city elections, with 54% voting against and 46% in favor.

Measure 20-365: Cottage Grove's Bond to Fix Streets

Failed

The City of Cottage Grove's proposal for general obligation bonds to fix streets was defeated, with 64% voting against and 36% in favor.

Measure 20-366: Cottage Grove Gas Tax Increase

Failed

Cottage Grove voters strongly rejected the increase of the city gas tax to $0.09 per gallon, with 73% voting against and 27% in favor.

These results are based on early returns and may be subject to change as more ballots are counted. Oregon allows ballots to be counted if they arrive up to a week after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day.