On July 6, both The Oregonian (Portland’s daily newspaper) and the Register-Guard (Eugene’s daily newspaper) ran an editorial, advocating that Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski sign SB 326. Here is the Oregonian’s editorial. The Register Guard’s editorial is here. The title is “Bill Restores Voters’ Rights and it Grants Minor Parties New Visibility.”

SB 326 is the bill that eliminates the ban on a primary voter signing an independent candidate’s petition. The bill also permits fusion. The Governor must sign or veto the bills by August 31. Thanks to Dan Meek for this news.

Mexico held a Congressional election on July 5, to fill all 500 seats. Although not all of the votes have been counted, it appears that the Green Party will have 25 seats in the new Congress, which takes office on September 1.

No party won a majority. The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has the most seats, 235. According to this article, it is possible the Greens will cooperate with the PRI to give that party a working majority (235 plus 25 equals 260, which is over half of 500). The National Action Party (PAN), the president’s party, has 153 seats. The Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) has 75 seats. That still leaves 12 seats to be accounted for. Mexico uses Proportional Representation.

The July 6 issue of the Daily Emerald has this editorial, endorsing SB 326. The bill eases ballot access for independent candidates, and also legalizes fusion. The Daily Emerald is the daily newspaper for the University of Oregon at Eugene.

SB 326 was sent to the Governor on July 1. He has two months to sign or veto it.