For the first time in the state’s history, Oregon achieved the highest rate of voter turnout in the nation for the recent 2022 midterm election. 61.5 percent of Oregon’s eligible voters took part in the election. Former Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling said Oregon has maintained a high turnout rate since the state implemented its pioneering vote-by-mail system 25 years ago, but he emphasized that numbers have increased significantly since Oregon’s “motor voter” law took effect in 2015. The law automatically registers people to vote when they get a driver’s license. The high voter turnout rate was especially influential considering the midterm election included a competitive governor’s race and several consequential ballot initiatives.