The latest news on this front comes from a really interesting article at Ballot Access News written by the widely-respected election expert and advocate for third party/independent ballot access Richard Winger:

On March 3, the Oregon legislature passed SB 1527. Among other provisions, it eases the definition of a qualified party. It lowers the percentage of registered voters needed for a party to remain qualified from one-half of 1% of the total registration, to one-fourth of 1%.

Oregon also lets a party remain ballot-qualified party if it polls 1% for any statewide race at either of the last two elections (although such parties must have registration of at least one-tenth of 1%).

The part of SB 1527 that eases the definition of a party was amended into the bill just a few days before the legislature adjourned. The House passed the amended bill on March 3, and the Senate concurred in that amendment the same day. The bill saves the qualified status of the Working Families Party.

Read the full article here.