Tobias Read

Secretary of State Tobias Read, a Democrat, says the order would disenfranchise eligible voters without increasing security.

The state revealed last year it had registered more than 1,600 potential noncitizens to vote.

Incoming Secretary of State Tobias Read announced the hire on Monday.

With a new secretary on the way in, the state elections director and the office’s executive team are among those on the way out.

Tobias Read appears poised to become Oregon’s next secretary of state, according to partial returns.

In early returns, Read had an overwhelming lead with over 70% of the vote as of 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday.

Both Tobias Read and James Manning say their primary goal is to restore trust to an office that oversees elections, audits state agencies, sits on the state’s land use board and, in rare cases, would take over as governor.

Three statewide officeholders took the oath of office in Oregon Monday. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is starting her third term and Treasurer Tobias…