Tag Archive for 'Voting'

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 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.

Oregon’s Secretary of State previews technology for Windows 8 exclusively to voters with disabilities

Published on October 22, 2012 in Elections, general election, HAVA, Headlines, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

SALEM – Under the leadership of Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown, Samsung has provided 10 tablet PC’s loaded with Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system to be used by Oregon voters with disabilities. Windows 8 provides many built in accessibility tools and features as well as USB plug-in capabilities for accessibility-enhancing devices that can simplify the process of marking a ballot for voters with disabilities. The Secretary of State’s office is piloting the software in conjunction with this election.

“Our relationship with Microsoft is another example of my strong commitment to increasing access to the ballot,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “Specifically, in this pilot project Oregon voters with disabilities will be encouraged to test their own accessibility devices with the brand-new technology that should increase the use and confidence in our accessible voting system.”

Currently, all 36 Oregon counties have tablets available for voters with disabilities. Last fall Oregon became the first state in the nation to utilize tablet technology in elections. This latest pilot featuring the Samsung Series 7 PC tablets with Windows 8 will be used during the November General Election. Oregon’s Secretary of State and Microsoft Corp. will be working together providing technical support and feedback during this latest pilot.

“Oregon is a recognized leader in elections solutions. We are pleased to work with them in this first usage in the U.S. of a Windows 8-powered tablet for elections,” said Mark Wernet, Microsoft.

Oregon voters with disabilities interested in accessing tablet technology to mark their ballot should contact Don DeFord at Don.Deford@state.or.us or call 503-986-1518.

Oregon State Archives Opens New Women’s Suffrage Exhibit

Published on October 1, 2012 in Archives and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

SALEM – The exhibit commemorates the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in Oregon and highlights the efforts of women to secure the vote. Panels on display produced by the Century of Action Committee focus on the movement in Oregon while the panels created by the Archives Division showcases the progress of women in Oregon, starting with the territorial period and continuing thru the 1970’s women’s movement, including the creation of Oregon’s Commission for Women. In addition, the Archives created a series of panels dedicated to the women who first held elected positions in Oregon, such as Senator, Secretary of State, Governor and Attorney General.

Finally, the exhibit will include original documents from the Archives holdings, including the original proclamation declaring the passage of women’s suffrage written by Abigail Scott Duniway and her 1913, voter’s registration card.

The exhibit will be on display in the gallery of the State Archives Building through the end of the year. The Archives Building is located at 800 Summer Street NE, in Salem and visitors are welcome during regular business hours 8:00am to 4:45pm Monday thru Friday. Archives will also be open on Saturday, October 13th from 10:00am until 3:00pm, during a special open house celebrating Archives Month.

Oregon Recognized by National Military Voter Protection Project as All-Star State

Published on August 16, 2012 in Elections and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Oregon was recognized as an All-Star state today by the Military Voter Protection (MVP) Project for taking significant efforts to promote and protect the voting rights of America’s military service members and their families.

“Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown has long demonstrated her commitment to the voting rights of our men and women in uniform, especially through the use of technology including iPads and internet tools,” said Eric Eversole, founder and executive director of the Military Voter Protection Project. “These efforts will help ensure that our service members can vote, regardless of where duty takes them.”

In analyzing these states, the MVP Project looked at a number of factors, including:

  • The state’s efforts to work with and reach out to local military installations and National Guard units on a proactive basis to provide on-base voter assistance;
  • Its use of electronic and web-based services to send election materials;
  • Its willingness to create specialized communications to military voters either through public service announcements or web-based announcements;
  • The state’s legislative efforts to eliminate barriers to military voter participation; and
  • Its track record of making sure that absentee military ballots are sent out no later than 45-days before the election and, when they are not, a high degree of accountability to resolve any violations.

You can view the Oregon All-Star page here.

“It truly is an honor to be recognized for our extraordinary efforts in protecting the voting rights of Oregon’s service members and their families,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown.

All-Star states list include: Oregon, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

For more information about the Military Voter Protection Project’s Heroes Vote Initiative or to view details about the MVP Project All-Star states, please visit http://www.herosvote.org/.

Secretary of State Kate Brown Announces Measure Numbers for 2012 General Election

Published on July 31, 2012 in Ballot Initiatives, Elections, general election, Headlines, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

SALEM – Measure numbers have been assigned to the two legislative referrals from the 76th Legislative Assembly and the initiative petitions that have qualified for the November 6, 2012 General Election ballot. They are the following:

Measure #77 Amends Constitution: Governor may declare “catastrophic disaster” (defined); requires legislative session; authorizes suspending specified constitutional spending restrictions

Measure #78 Amends Constitution: Changes constitutional language describing governmental system of separation of powers; makes grammatical and spelling changes

Measure #79 Amends Constitution: Prohibits real estate transfer taxes, fees, other assessments, except those operative on December 31, 2009

Measure #80 Allows personal marijuana, hemp cultivation/use without license; commission to regulate commercial marijuana cultivation/sale

Measure #81 Prohibits commercial non-tribal fishing with gillnets in Oregon “inland waters,” allows use of seine nets

Measure #82 Amends Constitution: Authorizes Establishment of Privately-Owned Casinos; Mandates Percentage Of Revenues Payable To Dedicated State Fund

Measure #83 Authorizes Privately-Owned Wood Village Casino; Mandates Percentage Of Revenues Payable To Dedicated State Fund

Measure #84 Phases out existing inheritance taxes on large estates, and all taxes on intra-family property transfers

Measure #85 Amends Constitution: Allocates Corporate Income/Excise Tax “Kicker” Refund To Additionally Fund K Through 12 Public Education

For additional information, please visit our website at www.oregonvotes.gov or follow Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown on Twitter or Facebook.

For more information, please contact

Andrea Cantu-Schomus
Communications Director
Oregon Secretary of State
503-986-2368
503-507-0082