Mai Vang was treated badly by city officials when they made a screwy decision that despite Betsy Vega failing to meet the residency requirement to be a Ward 6 city councilor, Vega’s narrow victory in the May election over incumbent Mai Vang should stand.
I described why this decision was so unfair to Vang in “City officials ignored Salem charter in wrongly qualifying Betsy Vega as Ward 6 city councilor.”
Basically, the city charter says “a councilor shall have resided in the ward the councilor represents during the 12 months immediately before being elected or
appointed to the office.” But Vega lived outside of Ward 6 for 107 days prior to being elected, and the 12 month residency requirement means Vega had to live continuously in Ward 6 — which obviously she didn’t.
Pleasingly, Vang is fighting this injustice.
A few days ago Vang announced that she is pursuing a write-in campaign for the November 3, 2026 election. Betsy Vega will be the only candidate to appear on the Ward 6 ballot, because Vega got more than 50% of the votes in the May primary election. So a write-in campaign is necessary.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2026COUNCILOR MAI VANG LAUNCHES WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN
Today, I’m launching my write-in campaign for the November general election to retain my seat as East Salem’s City Councilor.
Since May 19th, we’ve learned that East Salem voters were seriously misled. This isn’t about being a sore loser—it’s about fairness and transparency.
Betsy Vega hid important information about where she lived. She did not have an East Salem address for more than three months during her campaign for council.
Do you really want Betsy Vega as your councilor? Does she represent your values? You deserve a fair chance to decide who represents you at City Hall.
The outpouring of support from across Salem, across all political persuasions, has humbled me. I hear you loud and clear.
Voters deserve another chance to make an informed decision. Not some city official or out-of-town lawyer. The final say should belong to you. My write-in campaign gives you that chance.
Ward 6 deserves a councilor who will show up, tell the truth, and do the hard work. I know I’m that councilor.
We’re in this together. More to follow, but for now:
M-A-I V-A-N-G
Your East Salem City Councilor,
Mai Vang
If you live in Ward 6, write in Mai Vang for city councilor when you receive a ballot for the November 3 election. Wherever you live, consider donating to Vang’s campaign fund. I just made a donation, and I don’t live in Ward 6. I simply believe that Vang is the most qualified candidate to represent Ward 6, and was treated unfairly by city officials.
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