The 2016 United States Presidential Election in Oregon
The 2016 United States presidential election in Oregon took place on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. As part of the national election involving all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Oregon voters participated in selecting electors for the Electoral College. The main contenders were Republican businessman Donald Trump, with running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence, and Democratic candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate. Oregon had seven electoral votes at stake.
Historically, Oregon has leaned Democratic in presidential elections since 1988. Hillary Clinton upheld this trend by winning 50% of the vote, although her margin was slightly narrower than Barack Obama's in 2012. Nonetheless, she amassed a higher raw vote total, becoming the second presidential candidate to garner more than a million votes in Oregon. Donald Trump secured 39% of the vote, a lower share than Mitt Romney in 2012. Notably, Trump managed to win Columbia County, a feat not achieved by a Republican since Herbert Hoover in 1928. This election also marked the first time since 1976 that Clackamas County voted for the losing candidate, with Trump being the first Republican to win the presidency without carrying the county.
The 2020 United States Presidential Election in Oregon
Four years later, on November 3, 2020, the 2020 United States presidential election saw Oregon voters once again participating in the Electoral College process. The Republican incumbents, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, faced off against Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, and his running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris. Oregon maintained its seven electoral votes.
Joe Biden triumphed in Oregon with 56.45% of the vote, while Trump received 40.37%. Biden's victory margin of 16.08% represented an increase from Clinton's 11% margin in 2016. Biden flipped Marion County and Deschutes County, both of which had supported Trump in 2016. This was the first time since 1964 that a Democrat won a majority in Deschutes County. Biden also became the first Democrat since Woodrow Wilson in 1916 to win the presidency without carrying Columbia and Tillamook counties. These counties had both voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and for Trump in 2016 and 2020. Biden made history as the highest vote earner in Oregon, securing 1,340,383 votes, and achieved stronger leftward swings in 28 of Oregon's 36 counties compared to Clinton in 2016. According to exit polls by the Associated Press, 33% of voters identified as secular and overwhelmingly supported Biden by 80%.
The 2024 United States Presidential Election in Oregon
The upcoming 2024 United States presidential election in Oregon is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. As part of the national elections, Oregon voters will select electors for the Electoral College. Due to the 2020 United States census, Oregon gained an additional electoral vote, bringing its total to eight.
Since 1988, Democrats have consistently won Oregon in presidential elections, with double-digit margins since 2008. As part of the Democratic-leaning West Coast, Oregon is predicted to favor the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024.
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