Oregon Bus Project

For local flavor, you can’t beat the Oregon Bus Project! And for recent Portland arrivals who have an interest in non-​partisan politics, it’s a treasure and a great way to meet like minds.
Their premise is that although people in their 20’s care about politics, they are moving so often that maintaining up to date voter registration is a challenge.
They organize voter registration trips for part of a day or sometimes overnight, in their retired Greyhound bus, to register voters and get out the vote. Overnight trips have included Bend and the Coast.
The volunteers are well fed and hydrated for free!
Their events are fun, including their semi-​annual «Trick or Vote» Halloween. Volunteers, such as your fine selves, go door to door in costume to encourage voters to vote or return their ballots. Afterwards there is a huge party of the volunteers, the last time here with the March Fourth Band, all free. The «Trick or Vote» event has spread from Portland to dozens of other cities.
They have volunteer phone banking projects all the time at their office.
One of their most unique projects is Politicorps. It’s a short summer school program for people in their 20’s who are interested in running for office, or getting campaign and staff jobs in politics. The Bus Project has a strong network and many past key staffers have moved directly to major campaign, nonprofit and government paid jobs.
Great people, idealistic, smart, one of Portland’s best volunteer opportunities. They feed you, they make voting projects fun and social, great networking for getting into politics or government.
I’d give them five stars, but their office looks like a chaotic college dorm at times! Surprise…