Tag Archive for 'civics'

Nearly 200 high schools join Secretary of State Kate Brown in celebrating National Voter Registration Day

Published on September 21, 2012 in Elections, Headlines, Press Releases, Road Trips, Secretary Brown, Social Media and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

SALEM – On Tuesday, September 25, 2012, volunteers, civic groups and organizations from all over the country will hit the streets for the first National Voter Registration Day. Here in Oregon, Secretary of State Kate Brown is hosting a massive voter registration drive in high schools, inviting those 17 and older to participate. Nearly 200 high schools across the state from Joseph to Brookings have signed up. A video called Voting in Oregon, voter registration cards and a survey was provided to make it as easy as possible for educators and students to participate.

“I chose to reach out to students because a lot of these kids don’t know how or when to register to vote and I want to help change, that encouraging a life time of voting,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “It is my mission to engage all Oregonians in the political process, and that is what we are doing on September 25. I truly believe your vote is your voice and every voice matters.”

Secretary Brown will visit Lincoln, McKay and Sheldon High Schools on September 25.

8 a.m. Lincoln High School, 1600 SW Salmon, Portland
10:15 a.m. McKay High School, 2450 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem
2 p.m. Sheldon High School, 2455 Willakenzie Road, Eugene

Follow the link, for a list and map of all Oregon high schools participating in National Voter Registration Day.

Brown also invites students and the public to join her by posting updates and sharing their National Voter Registration Day stories and photos on Facebook and Twitter using hashtag #KateBrownNVRD.

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown unveils online Civics Toolkit

Published on January 9, 2012 in Elections, HAVA, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Press Release

SALEM – Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown recently unveiled a new online Civics Tool Kit. The civic education curriculum was developed through a collaboration of efforts by local professors, teachers and Oregon elections staff. The goal is to provide a beginners guide to civics with an Oregon centric view that anyone can access and use.

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown Tells McNary High School Students About New Civics Toolkit

Secretary Brown talks civics with McNary High School students

According to the most recent national civics examination, fewer than half of American eighth graders know the purpose of the Bill of Rights. In addition, only one in 10 demonstrated acceptable knowledge of the checks and balances among the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

“Democracies can only be sustained by citizens who have the basic knowledge, skills and dispositions – I think our online Civic Toolkit can help,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “As your Secretary of State and Oregon’s chief elections officer, it is my duty to engage Oregonians in the political process.”

The toolkit is made up of 10 lessons that cover everything from your rights and responsibilities as a good citizen, the history of voting in Oregon and what you need to know before you register to vote in our great state.

You can find the online Civics Toolkit by logging onto Oregon’s Secretary of State website (Elections Division), clicking on Voter Resources then Civics Toolkit or go directly to: http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/pages/voterresources/civics-toolkit/index.html.

Secretary Brown unveils Civics Toolkit at local high schools

Published on January 6, 2012 in Elections, HAVA, Headlines, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .
Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown Talks Civics at West Salem High School

Secretary Brown rolls out the new online Civics Toolkit

After more than two weeks off for the holidays, students welcomed Secretary Brown to their Government classes to talk civics. The secretary unveiled the online Civics Toolkit developed by her staff, local teachers and professors. Students got a first look at the 10 online lessons which cover everything from how to be a good citizen to how to register to vote. Secretary Brown encouraged students to get involved in the political process and reminded the teens that here in Oregon you can register to vote when you are 17 years old.

Reflecting on the day, Brown observed: “These students were sharp. Many had a great knowledge of Oregon and its government. We hope they find the Civics Toolkit online, learn it and share it. Special thanks to teachers Jason Whiteley and Doug Parker for opening up their classroom. These guys do an excellent job!”

You don’t need to be a teacher or student to take advantage of it. The Civics Toolkit is on the Secretary of State website at http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/pages/voterresources/civics-toolkit/index.html. Everyone is welcome to download these free resources and bone up on elections civics.

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown Tells McNary High School Students About New Civics Toolkit

Secretary Brown visits McNary High School to talk civics

Sec Brown to OR Education Association, “Your vote is your voice”

Published on October 3, 2011 in Elections, Headlines, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

I’m so delighted to meet with retired members of the Oregon Education Association in Salem today. I have the deepest respect for these folks because for years they had one of the most important jobs in the world; they were teachers. As times get tough and budgets continue to shrink, I share with them the passion that keeps me excited to work in state government. As Oregon’s chief elections officer, I have made it my mission to engage Oregonians in the political process. I ran for Secretary of State because I truly believe we can make the lives of Oregonians better through the ballot box. Your vote is your voice.