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About The Dalles chronicle. (The Dalles, OR) 1998-2020 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2020)
A4 Weekend of February 1-2, 2020 The Dalles Chronicle TheDallesChronicle.com OPINION Avoid election misinformation in Oregon’s elections Steve Trout is director of the Oregon Elections Division of the Secretary of State. The Elections Division oversees state elections, ensuring that voting reflects the will of the people. W ELCOME TO 2020! YOU may be aware we have a major election coming up this year. In Oregon, elections happen all the time. But every four years—with high-profile posts like the President of the United States up for grabs— people collectively turn their atten- tion to election systems. The security of these systems is an important topic and one that often seems to grab the most attention. But did you know that misinformation is actually the big- gest threat to elections? Guest Commentary Steve Trout That’s why the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office is working to provide more frequent information. Our goal is to educate voters and combat misinformation about elections so that Oregon voters feel confident their vote will be counted. Election misinformation can be anything from rumors to mislead- ing photos to more sinister cam- paigns with the goal of suppressing voter turnout. Misinformation can influence your thinking about a political cam- paign or outright lie to you about the status of your voter information. Misinformation can come from a diverse array of sources — social media, email lists, text message chains and even mailers. With unlimited sources of information at our disposal, it can be challenging to find information that is accurate and trustworthy. Fortunately, there are some simple questions you can ask yourself to help identify misinformation: — Is there any data or evi- dence presented to support the information? —Does this information seem de- signed to push my political buttons? —Is there something about this information that doesn’t seem right or too bizarre to be true? —Who is sharing this information? —Does this individual or group have an agenda? One particular risk to voters comes from groups — some well-intentioned, others not — with websites offering to register you to vote or offering other election information. The safest website to register and get official election informa- tion is that of the Oregon Elections Division: OregonVotes.gov. There, you’ll find official infor- mation about all Oregon elections, as well as answers to most elec- tion-related questions. You can register to vote, check your regis- tration status, check or change your political party, find an official ballot dropbox, track your ballot, see who is running for office and see who is giving them money. You can also learn about election processes, see elections laws, and historical data. We’re proud that Oregonians have confidence in our voting sys- tem. In 2019, we conducted a poll that found Oregonians overwhelm- ingly have a positive experience with our vote-by-mail system. Only three percent said they had prob- lems marking or completing their ballots and only four percent had problems receiving their ballot. You, the informed voter, are the best defense we have against attacks on our democracy. Don’t be fooled by misinformation. Know the official source — OregonVotes. gov — and remember that Oregon elections have never been more accurate or secure. You can be confident your vote counts. YOUR VOICE Telling the Truth in state law, the way the city is these things. members being ‘At Large’ could to determine reimbursement for administered and others) were two hours spent on city business. That would be Donald Trump. lead to a council representing a Connie Krummrich interesting items. small geographic area to the detri- However, I have a problem with To the editor, The first said that the council- The Dalles the second item, which does away ment of the rest of the city. Donald Trump called Jerry with the current method of electing I assume, prior to the May elec- Nadler, the Chair of the House ors and mayor could be paid. I the council. At present, the mayor, Judiciary Committee, a “sleaze tion, there will be reasons put forth have no problem with this as they ball.” for this change. I look forward to spend a lot of time on city business. and one councilor are elected ‘at large,’ while the other four council- seeing who supports this proposal. But Rep. Nadler has not been However, to avoid lavish reim- seen mocking someone with a Ted Bryant bursements, they might decide to or’s represent specific geographical disability on national TV; he does The Dalles use the state minimum hourly pay areas of the city. Changing to all To the editor, not have a reputation as a bully and Oregon’s upcoming session is a name-caller. only for a month, and there’s a great will not be printed. Letters that are obvious promotions for There are no claims he has told deal to be done, including negotiat- ANT TO WRITE A LETTER a business, products or services will not be printed. over 16,000 lies in the past three ing proposed legislation for things Letters to the editor are limited to 400 words. Longer Letter writers who disagree with other published letter years. like funding for police and wildfire letters will be edited. Each writer is restricted to one letter writers should maintain a civil discourse and address the 43 women have not accused him protection. I absolutely expect per 30-day period. subject, not the author. of inappropriate behavior, including every one of our senators, including Election-related letters of all types are limited to one The Dalles Chronicle does not guarantee the accuracy rape, sexual assault or sexual ha- my own Sen. Chuck Thomsen, to letter per election season. Election letters from writers of facts presented by letter writers; dissenters are welcome spend that entire month in Salem, rassment; and he has not bragged outside of Wasco, Sherman and Klickitat counties are not to respond. that he can do anything he wants to working with their colleagues and accepted. Letters that quote facts or use quotes from third-party making their best efforts to do the women because he is a celebrity. Letters that are libelous, obscene or in bad taste will not sources must include the original source in the letter. job for which they were elected. Rep. Nadler has not said he be printed. Attacks by name on businesses or individuals Sources may not count against the overall word count. Last year, several senators left the knows more than our military gen- erals or called them “losers” and “a state during the legislative session to prevent a vote on a climate bunch of dopes and babies.” change proposal, a subject near He did not insult the military service of Sen. John McCain, a dec- and dear to many Oregon residents. This subject is once again on the orated veteran and POW; nor did he belittle the parents of a Muslim- table to be discussed, and it is being insinuated that another walk out American soldier killed while is possible, though a newly elected serving in the army. House Republican Leader Christine Mr. Nadler doesn’t call himself Drazan stated (according to an OPB “a very stable genius” and he isn’t article published on Jan. 17) that a regarded by countless mental walkout would be a “breakdown of health professionals and others as the process”... though she didn’t rule a dangerous, malignant narcissist it out. who is unfit for office. That... just won’t do. He does not admire authoritarian Nikkita Paulson rulers or take the word of Vladimir Hood River Putin over that of 17 of his own intelligence agencies. Half of the American people do not think Nadler is a racist. His leadership has not been referred to as “the collision of in- competence and cruelty.” To the editor, And he is not on trial for im- In The Dalles Chronicle’s public notices for Jan. 22, 2020, there was peachment for high crimes and misdemeanors, abuse of power and a Notice of Measure and Receipt of Ballot Title from the City of the obstruction of justice. The Dalles. Buried among all the No—Jerry Nadler has never said reasons for the measure (change or done or been accused of any of Expecting best efforts W ? City proposal questioned Chelsea Marr/Publisher • 541-296-2141 Ext. 119 cmarr@thedalleschronicle.com CeCe Fix/Business Manager • 541-296-2141 Ext. 110 cfix@thedalleschronicle.com Tanya Lindsey/Circulation Manager • 541-296-2141 Ext. 108 tlindsey@thedalleschronicle.com Mark Gibson/News Editor • 541-296-2141 Ext. 107 mgibson@thedalleschronicle.com • Established 1890 • Ray Rodriguez/Sports Editor • 541-296-2141 Ext. 105 541-296-2141 rrodriguez@thedalleschronicle.com 811 East Second, The Dalles, OR 97058 A member of Eagle Newspapers, Inc. Joe Petshow, President Neita Cecil/Reporter • 541-296-2141 Ext. 115 © 2018 The Dalles Chronicle All rights reserved ncecil@thedalleschronicle.com The Dalles Chronicle is published Wednesday and Satur- day except: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 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