Oregon Legislature Passes Law Protecting Elections Workers
UPDATE: On April 4, Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed H.B. 4144 into law.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 3, the Oregon state Senate passed a law that adds new protections for election workers. The Election Worker Safety Bill, House Bill 4144, passed the state House in February with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers. H.B. 4144 adds two main protections: the bill permits election workers to withhold their home addresses from public disclosure and increases the misdemeanor classification and penalties for harassing election workers.
“In the months leading up to and since the 2020 election, election workers across the country have faced verbal abuse, harassment and violent threats on their lives,” said Secretary of State Shemia Fagan (D) in a statement. “Our elections are run by members of the community in all 36 counties across Oregon, hardworking elections professionals who are doing incredibly important work in a very challenging time.” H.B. 4144 now heads to the desk of Gov. Kate Brown (D) for signature.