State Representative
November 3, 2026 · State House District 16; Oregon · State house district · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 58 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 69,946 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(75,427 ÷ 69,946) ÷ ln(75,427 ÷ 66,284) = 58.38, comparing state house districts in OR (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Average representation + an uncontested race → Below average vote impact.
This office is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the statehouse
- Serving on committees that shape bills before final votes
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Sarah Finger McDonald
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Sarah Finger McDonald is an Oregon State Representative for the 16th District, which covers Corvallis and surrounding Benton County, serving since January 2025. An adviser at Oregon State University for non-traditional students, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, a graduate degree from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. from Oregon State University. She served on the Corvallis School Board and founded the Corvallis chapter of Moms Demand Action, the gun-violence-prevention group, after entering activism in response to mass shootings. She has also spoken about navigating the health care system while battling colon cancer during the pandemic.
Election sources
Source: ballotpedia.org