The Portland Mercury rolls out its list of endorsements for various offices up for election and whatever you may think of their choices it's good to see several mentions of Portland's Voter-Owned Elections public financing program an its role in encouraging a greater diversity of candidates to participate in municipal elections.

Five City Council candidates in Portland, Oregon have already qualified for public financing to run their primary campaigns under the city's Voter-Owned Elections program passed in 2005.  The candidates are running to fill the seats being vacated by Commissioners Sam Adams and Eric Sten.  Portland, along with Albuquerque, New Mexico, have the country's first full public financing program for municipal races.

As Portland, Oregon preps for another elections cycle with Voter-Owned Elections public financing available, Steve Duin at The Oregonian reflects on the results of the New Hampshire primary and the rhetoric of the campaign trail with a pause to note the importance of advancing Voter-Owned elections.

Portland, Oregon's Voter-Owned Elections public financing program just got a prominent new participant. Sho Dozono, a Portland businessman, has opted in to the system for the Portland mayoral race, where he will face his principle challenge from City Commissioner Sam Adams. Portland passed Voter-Owned Elections in 2005.

Woo-Hoo! The North Carolina Senate followed in the House's footsteps and approved the Voter-Owned Elections public financing pilot program for three Council of State races, state auditor, insurance commissioner and superintendent of public instruction. Next the bill will go to the Governor and we're optimistic he will sign it.  Read more from the Charlotte Observer!

As the North Carolina Senate moves to take up the Council of State Voter-Owned Elections pilot project just passed by the house, the bill is getting positive press mentions in several papers.  Here are a couple from the Raleigh News and Observer and the Asheville Citizen-Times both urging the Senate to pass the bill.  It's likely to be quite a close vote, so this press support is great -- and remember if you live in North Carolina to give your state Senator a call!