Imagine Black rolls out 2026 voter guide and expands election organizing

Imagine Black, a Black-led Portland organization, released its 2026 Voter Guide on Oct. 29 and hired paid Election Organizers ahead of Oregon’s Nov. 3 general election. The group says the effort is designed to increase turnout, especially through neighborhood-based outreach across Multnomah County and the wider Portland region.

Why it matters: - Imagine Black is trying to move voters from mail-in ballots to completed ballots before Oregon’s Nov. 3 general election. - The organization says the work is aimed at building Black political power while influencing races that will shape childcare, public safety, housing and community services. - More than 20,000 nonpartisan get-out-the-vote calls are underway this year, giving the campaign broad reach across the region.

What happened: - Imagine Black published its 2026 Voter Guide with endorsed candidates on Oct. 29. - The Portland-based organization also created paid Election Organizer roles for community members working across Multnomah County. - More than 26 Election Organizers from Oregon were hired to knock on doors and phone bank. - The group is also running a No Police Money in Politics campaign, with more than 15 candidates on this November’s ballot signing the pledge.

The details: - The voter guide is meant to give voters a values-based look at candidates and why Imagine Black backed them. - Oregon votes by mail, and voters can check registration and track ballots at Oregon My Vote. - Completed ballots must be returned to an official drop site by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. - The No Police Money in Politics pledge requires signers to refuse contributions from police unions and associations, not seek their endorsement, and publicly reject independent spending done on their behalf. - Signers span state legislative, county and city council races across the Portland region. - Signing the pledge does not count as an endorsement from Imagine Black.

Between the lines: - Imagine Black is betting that face-to-face outreach from neighbors will be more effective than traditional campaign mailers or slogans. - The organization’s hiring strategy reflects a belief that people closest to a community are best positioned to engage it. - The endorsement list stretches from the state legislature to county leadership and city council, showing a broad attempt to shape local power structures. - The pledge campaign adds another layer to the organization’s electoral strategy by linking candidate support to policing and community safety politics.

What’s next: - Election Organizers will continue door-knocking and phone banking through the final stretch before Election Day. - Voters will keep returning ballots by mail or at official drop sites through Nov. 3. - Imagine Black’s endorsed candidates will remain part of the organization’s broader effort to grow Black political power after the election.

The bottom line: - Imagine Black is combining a voter guide, paid community organizing and a policing pledge campaign to push turnout and shape the outcome of key Oregon races.