Oregon’s top-two primary system faces legal and political challenges as voters decide on broader access to primaries.

Oregon faces a legal and political push to allow all registered voters to participate in primary elections, challenging the current restriction to party members. A lawsuit was recently dismissed without explanation, while two bipartisan-backed ballot initiatives (55 and 56) propose a top-two primary system where the top two candidates advance regardless of party. A dispute over the initiatives’ official title has led to an appeal to the state Supreme Court, with a final decision expected in months.