Calendar & News
Events Calendar
May-June 2026
ELECTION DAY!
Tues., May 19th
Drop your ballots in a local drop box by 8:00 pm:
In Hood River: County Admin Building, 601 State Street
In Cascade Locks: City Hall, 140 Wa Na Pa Street
In Parkdale: Elementary School, 4880 Van Nuys Drive
5/19 is the deadline for a valid postmark of mailed ballots***
5/26 is the last day for elections offices to receive valid postmarked ballots by mail
***More details below: If mailing a ballot, either mail it at least a week prior to election day or ask for a manual postmark at a post office.
Election Night Party
Tues., May 19, 6:30-8+ pm
Crush Cider Cafe (1020 Wasco in HR)
Bring the family. No-host bar.
Give yourself a break - enjoy Crush's yummy food for dinner.
Celebrate all of our candidates and vounteers for a job well done!
Early/local election results will come in just after 8 pm.
Hood River County Democrats Backyard Bash
Sat., June 7, 4:00-6:00 pm
Come celebrate the power of people and the spirit of community!
Honor our amazing volunteers, meet elected leaders and candidates, and spark new connections with neighbors who care.
Great food, cold drinks, live music, a lively dessert auction and fun for all ages.
HRC Dems Monthly Meeting
Thurs., June 11, 6:30-7:30 pm
Hood River Library (502 State St.)
Meet in the downstairs meeting room. Arrive early for social time (6-6:30pm).
Bring your favorite snack to share.
Hybrid access: Sign up here to get the zoom link.
News
In a rule finalized in the federal register on Christmas Eve 2025, the Trump administration changed the way rural postmarks are counted for VOTING and tax-paying. Oregon’s primary election is May 19. Because of these changes, election officials will urge voters to mail their ballots back at least a week prior or use drop boxes instead of relying on timely mail delivery. The shift to regional processing centers and ending evening mail collection means envelopes won’t receive postmarks until they’re processed at the Portland center — so someone mailing a ballot, filing a tax return by mail or who otherwise counts on a postmark as proof a letter was sent by a deadline will have to send their mail earlier or ask for a manual postmark at a post office.
Oregon Legislators Enact Protections for Immigrants - Oregon lawmakers advanced several bills this session aimed at strengthening protections for immigrants and limiting federal immigration enforcement in sensitive spaces such as schools and hospitals. The legislation responds in part to the Trump administration’s rollback of prior federal protections.
Chop Wood, Carry Water: a political activism newsletter that comes out 5 days a week. Subscribe to receive a short, encouraging email in your inbox each weekday (except Wed.) telling you how you can make a difference by taking 5-7 minutes worth of EASY actions. The almost weekly Sunday "Extra! Extra!" editions contain a long list of hopeful news, Democratic accomplishments, and all the “blue wins”. May 10 “Extra! Extra!” edition:
Cherie DeVaux became the first woman ever to prep the winner of the Kentucky Derby.
The ACLU of Florida filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Key West for selectively enforcing regulations against residents who painted fence pickets in rainbow colors to protest the city's removal of its rainbow crosswalks.
Starting this fall, the University of Pittsburgh will offer free tuition to eligible in-state residents.
Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown won a Pulitzer Prize for her groundbreaking and impactful investigation into sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
In a new filing, ABC accused the FCC of violating its free speech rights, potentially setting the stage for a protracted, high-stakes legal battle between the network and the Trump administration.
Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation has successfully achieved rape kit reform in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, after sixteen years of relentless advocacy.
A pop-up library dedicated solely to the Epstein files opened in New York.
Mayor Mamdani announced New York City secured a $31 million court judgment against landlords Karan Singh and Rajmattie Persaud, marking the largest penalty ever obtained by the city's housing agency.
A group of rabbis were arrested while protesting outside of 26 Federal Plaza, a Lower Manhattan immigration courthouse where a number of immigrants detained by ICE are being held.
A federal judge ordered 19-year old nursing student Olivia be released from Dilley, and she was!
And much more!