Voters will head to polling places in Oregon to cast ballots in key races including a gubernatorial race and a\u00a0Senate\u00a0race.<\/p>\n
Oregon conducts its elections by mail, where registered voters receive a ballot by mail without requesting or applying for it. Ballots must be received at any\u00a0county\u00a0elections office or official ballot drop site by 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
State significance<\/h3>\n
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking a second term in a reliably blue state where Democrats have at times struggled to reconcile a statewide message with the progressive politics of Portland.<\/p>\n
Republicans haven’t won the governorship in 40 years, but this year’s primary offers an unusually clear window into the future of the party.<\/p>\n
![\"Christine](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/32bca497-6e37-4722-be65-790d78f74902\/ore-state-cap-rf-gty-ml-231218_1702995474983_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"Christine")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Oregon State Capitol building in Salem, Ore.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n STOCK PHOTO\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The field includes David Medina, a far-right social media influencer who was pardoned after being charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol; Chris Dudley, a centrist former NBA player backed by the business community; and\u00a0Christine Drazan and Ed Diehl, both of whom are social conservatives.<\/p>\n In the Senate race, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley is seeking a fourth term and is expected to win comfortably. Seven Republicans are facing off in the GOP primary.\u00a0<\/p>\n All six of Oregon’s members of the House are seeking reelection. So far, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has named only Rep. Janelle Bynum to its “frontline<\/a>” list of potentially vulnerable incumbents.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n