Archive for the 'Elections' Category

Oregon Receives “A” for Campaign Finance Reporting

Published on May 16, 2013 in Elections, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments Tags: .

The National Institute on Money in State Politics and the Center for Public Integrity gave Oregon a perfect score

SALEM — Secretary of State Kate Brown today announced that Oregon received an “A” in a national scorecard of state campaign finance disclosure requirements for independent expenditure groups.

“I’m proud that Oregon continues to lead the nation in campaign finance transparency,” said Secretary Brown. “At the same time, we need to take additional action to bring special interest groups and their anonymous, last-minute attack ads out of the shadows.”

An audit clip of Secretary Brown is available online. Right-click and chose “save as” to download the audio file.

The National Institute on Money in State Politics and the Center For Public Integrity co-released a new report and scorecard Thursday on the status of independent spending reporting requirements in the 50 states. Oregon was one of just 9 states to receive a perfect score.

Secretary Brown urged the Legislature to further improve campaign finance transparency in Oregon by enacting House Bill 3523, co-sponsored by Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer, D-Portland, Rep. Greg Matthews, D-Gresham, Rep. Julie Parrish, R-West Linn, and Rep. Bob Jenson, R-Pendleton. HB 3523 would require all contributions over $1,000 to be reported within 48 hours in the 14 days prior to the election; require independent expenditure campaigns to file electronic campaign finance reports in Oregon’s online campaign finance reporting database; and improve reporting of in-kind contributions.

“The U.S. Supreme Court unleashed unlimited independent expenditure campaigns when it overturned the bi-partisan campaign finance law passed by Congress,” said Rep. Keny-Guyer. “HB 3523 includes an important fix that will shed more sunlight on independent expenditures. Giving Oregonians greater access to see the money being spent in their elections will keep the public policy process public.”

“It’s great to be recognized for our efforts and we’re committed to seeking improvements in the area surrounding campaign finance reform,” said. Rep. Matthews.

For more information, contact:

Tony Green
Director of Communications
Oregon Secretary of State
503-507-0082
tony.green@state.or.us

Ballots Are In The Mail

Published on May 3, 2013 in Elections, Press Releases and Special Elections. 1 Comment

Voters will soon be receiving ballots for the May 21 election

SALEM — Secretary of State Kate Brown is reminding Oregon voters that ballots for the May 21 election will be mailed out starting today.

“I urge all registered Oregon voters to cast a ballot,” said Secretary Brown. “There are important local ballot measures and races for school boards, community college boards and special districts across Oregon.”

To download an audio clip of Secretary Brown, right-click and choose “save as.”

Voters who do not receive their ballot by Wednesday, May 8, should go to My Vote to see if their ballots have been mailed. Otherwise, voters should call their county elections office.

Ballot measures to be decided in the May 21 election include proposals to ban retail single-use plastic bags in Newport, an $82 million school serial levy in Beaverton and a $18.3 million measure to fund 9-1-1 services in Deschutes County.

Contested school district races will be decided from Lake Oswego and Forest Grove to Medord, Bend and Lincoln County.

Contested special district races include the Corbett Fire District, the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District and the Port of Newport.

Contested community college board races range from Portland to Central Oregon to the Rogue Valley.

Ballots must be received by county elections officials no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21.

 

For more information, contact:

Tony Green
Director of Communications
Oregon Secretary of State
503-507-0082
tony.green@state.or.us

Ballot Tampering Conviction

Published on April 25, 2013 in Elections, Headlines and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Plea deal results in 90-day sentence

A former Clackamas County elections employee was sentenced today to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to official misconduct and unlawfully altering a cast ballot.

Deanna Swenson, a temporary, part-time elections employee, marked two ballots that were left partially blank by voters. Swenson’s illegal conduct did not affect the outcome of any races.

“Department of Justice investigators and prosecutors took this case from the initial tip through investigation to indictment and guilty plea in less than six months,” said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. “Anyone attempting to subvert Oregon’s elections should know from this quick and successful prosecution that such conduct is unacceptable.”

“This prosecution sends a strong message: voter fraud will not be tolerated in Oregon,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “We are holding Ms. Swenson accountable for violating the public trust. Oregon has one of the strongest ballot security systems in the country. On my watch, it will remain so.”

A co-worker reported seeing Swenson altering a ballot on Oct. 31, 2012. Clackamas County elections officials immediately relieved her of her duties and notified the Secretary of State’s office, which referred it to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation. A Clackamas County grand jury in December indicted Swenson on two counts each of Unlawfully Altering a Cast Ballot, Unlawfully Voting More Than Once and Official Misconduct in the First Degree.

All counties must submit annual security plans. Clackamas County officials followed the plan in the Swenson case, said Secretary Brown.

Swenson is the 13th person to be prosecuted for voter fraud since Oregon went to all vote-by-mail elections in 2000. During that time frame, 23.8 million ballots were cast in statewide elections in Oregon.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. McCauley prosecuted the case.

For more information, contact:

Tony Green
Director of Communications
Oregon Secretary of State
503-507-0082
tony.green@state.or.us

Deadline to register to vote in May 21 election is April 30, 2013

Published on April 23, 2013 in Elections, Press Releases and Uncategorized. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2013

SALEM – Secretary of State Kate Brown is urging all eligible Oregon voters to make sure they are registered in advance of the May 21 election. The registration deadline is April 30.

“Voting is one of our most precious rights as Americans,” said Secretary Brown. “I urge all eligible Oregonians to make sure they are registered so they can participate in this important upcoming election.”

Eligible Oregonians can register to vote online. Oregonians who are unsure whether they are registered to vote or want to be certain the correct mailing address is on file can check or update their information online. Registration forms are also available at county elections offices and DMV.

The May 21 election features dozens of local races and ballot measures across Oregon. Registration cards must be postmarked by April 30 or submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m.

For more information, contact

Tony Green
(503) 507-0082

Secretary of State Kate Brown Sworn in as Secretary of State

Published on January 4, 2013 in Elections, Headlines, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

January 4, 2013

Salem – Secretary Brown gave brief remarks after her swearing in, thanking Gov. Roberts, Gov. Kulongoski, Gov. Kitzhaber and her family for their support. She also detailed key accomplishments and her plans for the next four years.

“In 2008, I told Oregonians that I would be their watchdog; find savings and efficiencies in state government; fight fraud in Oregon’s in initiative process; and personally engage

Oregonians on their right to vote,” said Secretary Brown. “That is exactly what my team and I have done and more. In the next four years we will continue to build upon our accomplishments, continuing to ensure our tax dollars are managed with greater transparency and accountability, ensuring businesses can thrive and create jobs here in Oregon and defending every eligible Oregonian’s right to vote, especially those whose voices are underrepresented.”

The ceremony took place in the House chamber at the State Capitol. Gov. Kitzhaber administered the oath to Secretary Brown, Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian.

Governor Kitzhaber swears in Secretary of State Kate Brown

Gov Kitzhaber swears in Sec Brown

Brown was elected to her second four-year term as Secretary of State on November 6, 2012.

Indictment in Clackamas Co Ballot Altering Case Results from Investigation Initiated by Sec of State Kate Brown

Published on November 29, 2012 in Elections, general election, Headlines, Press Releases and Uncategorized. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Salem – After Secretary of State Kate Brown requested an investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice, 55-year-old Deanna Swenson was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday, November 28 in Clackamas County on two counts of unlawfully altering a cast ballot and two counts of unlawfully voting more than once, both Class C felonies. Swenson also faces two counts of first-degree official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor. While attempts at voter fraud have been extremely rare under Oregon’s tightly regulated vote-by-mail system, Secretary Brown is taking steps to ensure that this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and won’t be repeated.

“We have zero tolerance for voter fraud in Oregon,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “Security procedures are in place to detect this kind of conduct. The system worked and no person’s ballot was impacted. Oregonians can be confident in their election results.”

Every year, county elections officials submit security plans to the Secretary of State’s office for review. In this case, the Clackamas County security plan was followed, the state elections office was notified of irregularities right away, and the Secretary of State asked the Department of Justice to start an investigation immediately.

In order to ensure that local election results would not be affected while this matter was resolved, on November 2, 2012, Secretary Brown assigned Deputy Director of Elections Brenda Bayes and retired elections manager Fred Neal to Clackamas County to oversee ballot processing by the Clackamas County Elections Division. Oregon State Police officers were also assigned to oversee the process.

Secretary Brown Statement on the Status of Clackamas County Ballot Fraud Investigation

Published on November 6, 2012 in Elections, general election, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

Salem, Ore – Secretary of State Kate Brown today issued the statement below to provide an update of the investigation in Clackamas County and to correct information that reportedly was shared at yesterday’s emergency commission meeting in Clackamas County.

“To date, Clackamas County, under supervision of my elections monitors, has identified six ballots that were potentially altered by the accused temporary county elections employee.   The total number of ballots potentially affected is still under investigation by the Department of Justice.

“For all potentially altered ballots, Clackamas County elections officials will determine whether or not the original voter intent can be established.  If the original voter intent can be established, the ballot will be counted to reflect what the original voter marked.

“Voter intent will be determined by Clackamas County officials, but will be overseen by my two elections monitors, Brenda Bayes and Fred Neal who bring a combined 30 years of election experience.

“This is different information than was reported in the media yesterday.  Media reported that Clackamas County officials shared that all potentially altered ballots would not be counted.  This was inaccurate.”

Secretary Brown Expands Team Overseeing Clackamas County Elections Division

Published on November 4, 2012 in Elections, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

Salem, Ore – Secretary of State Kate Brown today announced that she is sending Brenda Bayes, the deputy director for elections in Oregon, to oversee ballot processing by the Clackamas County Elections Division.

Bayes joins Fred Neal, who Brown assigned to Clackamas County last week, to serve as an elections monitor.  Both Bayes and Neal bring more than 30 years of experience in elections.

Bayes and Neal, in addition to the private security guard and state trooper assigned to oversee access to the building, all are under Brown’s directive to ensure the security of elections in Clackamas County.

“Voters and Clackamas County elections officials need to know that we are keeping a very close eye on the processing of ballots.

“The team I have in place, together with the investigators from the Oregon Department of Justice, are working to ensure the integrity, transparency and accountability of this election in Clackamas County.”

Secretary Brown Statement on the Investigation of the Clackamas County Elections Office

Published on November 3, 2012 in Elections, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Salem, Ore  – Secretary of State Kate Brown today issued the statement below following her request that the Oregon Department of Justice investigate allegations of ballot fraud at the Clackamas County Elections Office.

“We are taking the situation in Clackamas County very seriously.  It is extremely troubling that they have a county election employee accused of ballot fraud.

“Following the report of ballot fraud, I personally spoke with the Attorney General to emphasize the seriousness of the offense and my desire to see that this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“While it is Clackamas County’s job to run the elections, it is my responsibility to ensure the integrity, transparency and accountability of the election.  I have assigned an elections monitor to oversee ballot processing.  This includes a review of every one of the ballots the accused had access to.

“We will be keeping a close eye on the county in how it is conducting the election and commit to sharing information with the public as we are legally able to share it.”

Tell your friends every vote counts with this Oregon “i voted” sticker

Published on October 28, 2012 in Elections, general election, HAVA, Headlines, Social Media and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Because your vote is your voice and every voice matters…

Here in Oregon we vote by mail, but that doesn’t mean you can’t proudly wear an “i voted” sticker. Check out this custom digital sticker. It lasts longer than the one-use stickers of times past and won’t clash with your outfit, at least not if you use it as your social media profile photo.Post this "i voted" sticker as your social media profile photo!

Here is how it works. After you vote, post this free digital sticker as your profile photo on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, your blog, and LinkedIn – wherever you spend time or have connections. Use this sticker to let people know you’ve voted. Poke friends and family and remind them to vote too!

Visit Every Vote Counts for complete instructions and to download the “i voted” sticker. And please spread the word!

Oregon is a leader in voter turnout and is consistently in the top 10 nationally. Our vote-by-mail system is unlike any other system in the nation. It is cost effective, secure and accessible to everyone from downtown Portland to the rural routes of Malheur County.

Remember, voters have until November 6 at 8 p.m. to get their ballots turned in. Ballots must arrive in the mail by 11/6, or else be deposited in a secure drop box. Locate a drop site near you.