Monthly Archive for October, 2010

Turnout Projection (revisited)

Published on October 29, 2010 in Elections and Secretary Brown. 1 Comment

You may remember that in January, we put out turnout predictions for the special election. Well, we’re back at it again for this November’s General Election!

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown is predicting voter turnout for the November 2, 2010 General Election to reach 72%.

This projection is based on a number of trends and some similarities in the numbers between what we’re seeing now and the 2006 General Election which also featured a governor’s race. Some more in depth facts that informed our projection include:

  • Mid-term elections traditionally experience a drop off in turnout compared to a presidential race. For
  • example Oregon’s voter turnout in the 2008 General Election which featured a presidential election hit 85%.
  • As voters continue to embrace vote-by-mail, we have seen them hold onto their ballots longer, usually resulting in a large spike the weekend before Election Day and on Election Day itself. We expect to see that again this year.
  • Oregon’s Governor’s race and several local levy’s are peaking voter’s interest.

72% turnout will surely rank amongst the nation’s highest this election, but Secretary of State Brown would like you to prove her prediction wrong, and make sure you encourage all your friends and family who have their ballots, to turn them in as soon as possible!

Pictures from Campus(es)

Published on October 22, 2010 in Road Trips and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments

Dear Oregonians,

This last week, I was invited by the Oregon Student Association, and its partners in the Vote or Vote coalition, to visit the campuses of PSU, PCC Sylvania and Mount Hood Community College in order to promote voter registration before the October 12th deadline. I was once again blown away and inspired by the unbelievable work being done by these dedicated students to get their peers registered to vote.

Part of my visit consisted of visiting classrooms for “class raps.” The message I wanted to convey to the mixture of young and older voters is simple: This election is going to have a lasting effect on issues that impact them as students; things like funding for higher education and access to student loans. From City Council elections to those running for office in Washington, D.C. their vote is critically meaningful and if they choose not to use it, they are depending on the rest of us to make decisions for them.

Clearly, Oregon’s students are getting the message. OSA registered 18,405 people to vote from June of this year up to the October 12 deadline. Add that to the 2,231 they registered for the primary and you’ve got 20,636 people registered for the 2010 General Election.

It is now too late to register to vote in this November’s election, but if you or someone you know wants to get registered for future elections, jump over to Oregonvotes.org and get registered online!

I want to thank the OSA for having me and for all of the hard work they and the countless other voter registration organizations did to make sure that every eligible Oregonian has the chance to vote this November.

Sincerely,

Kate Brown

Check on Your Ballot!

Published on October 18, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

With ballots now landing on doorsteps across the State of Oregon, we’d like to introduce you to a tool that will help you better know where your ballot is at any given time. The system is called  MyVote and it allows you find and change your voter registration information, online!

So if you’re still waiting for your ballot to arrive, head on over MyVote on the oregonvotes.org website and check out your ballots status. It’s quick and easy!

Alternately, if you don’t receive a ballot in the next few days, but believe you are registered, please contact your County Elections Office.

Happy Voting!

Vote or Vote!

Published on October 12, 2010 in Elections and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments

Don’t forget, today is the final day to register to vote for the November, 2010 General Election.

2010 General Election Voter’s Pamphlet’s Are Out!

Published on October 8, 2010 in Elections. 0 Comments

The Voter’s Pamphlet for the 2010 General Election are now on their way to Oregon’s registered voters!

The Voter’s Pamphlet has information on every race, from the State House to the US Senate and everything in between. It also has arguments for and against the 7 ballot measures you will see on this election’s ballot.

As it gets closer to the election and you find yourself without a Voter’s Pamphlet, first check to make sure you’re registration is valid with MyVote. You can still register to vote or change your registration information in the upcoming election. The deadline for registration is October 12.

If you’re still having problems, give us a call at 503-986-1518 and we’ll make sure to sort you out.