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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2004)
NOTICES Voting by Mail in Oregon In 1998, Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure directing that elections be conducted by mail, commonly called vote by mail. This replaces traditional polling place elections. What is vote by mail? Vote by mail is a method of distributing ballots for an election. Instead of using traditional polling places where voters go to cast ballots on election day, a ballot is automatically mailed to each registered voter. The ballot is then voted and returned to the county election office to be counted. Every county provides privacy booths where you can mark your ballot. Usually, you can drop off your com pleted ballot at the same location. Call your county election office if you need to locate and use a privacy booth. As a voter, what do I have to do? Your ballot packet will auto matically be mailed to you 18 to 14 days prior to the election. Each packet contains a secrecy envelope, ballot return envelope, and ballot. Once you vote the ballot, place it in the secrecy envelope and seal it in the pre-addressed return envelope. Be sure to sign the return envelope on the appropriate line after verifying that the return envelope has your name and current residential address. How do I get information about the candidates and issues? You will receive a voters’ pamphlet from the secretary of State for all statewide elections. Many counties also produce a local voters’ pamphlet that is either included with the state pamphlet or mailed separately. In special elections, the county will sometimes include the pamphlet with the ballot. When must the voted ballot be returned? The voted ballot must be received in any county election office or designated drop site by 8 p.m. on election night. Postmarks do not count. All county election offices are considered poll locations on election day and are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. I’ll be out of town when ballots are mailed. How do I get a ballot? Absentee ballots are available 45 days before the election. You can request an early absentee ballot from your county election official either in person, by mail, or by fax. You’ll need to include your name, residence address, and, if different, your mailing address. Can I change my mind after I’ve returned the ballot? What if my ballot doesn’t come? as you deposit it in the mailbox or at a drop site. After that, you cannot receive a new ballot to re-vote. If you haven’t received your ballot within a week after they’re mailed, call your county election office. They’ll check that your voter registration is current. If it is, they’ll mail you a replacement ballot. What if I have moved and have not updated my registration? If you’re registered to vote by the 21st day before the election but now have a different address and: • • You have moved within the same county, contact the county election office. They’ll instruct you on the process to follow to qualify for a replacement ballot; or You have moved to a different county, go to the election office in your new county. What if I make a mistake? If you make a mistake, you can call your county election office and request a replacement ballot. One will be mailed to you provided the request is received with sufficient time for mailing. Otherwise, you can pick up a replacement ballot in person at your county election office. Your ballot has been cast as soon Will my vote still count if I forget to put my ballot into the secrecy envelope? Yes, the ballot will still be counted. When are ballots counted? your ballot or returning it to any county election office or any designated drop site in the state. The times and locations of drop sites are published by and avail able from your county election official. All ballots are counted on election day - none are counted before. No results can be announced until 8 p.m. on election night. No more than five days before election day, county election officials begin preparing the ballots for counting by opening the return identification envelope and the secrecy envelope and securing the ballots until election day. How much postage is required to mail the ballot back? When will election results be known? Your voted ballot can be returned without extra postage. In those instances where additional postage is necessary, it will be clearly indicated on the ballot materials. Ballot counting cannot begin until election day. Initial results are released at 8 p.m. election night and will continue to be updated through election night until all ballots have been counted. Do I have to return my ballot by mail? You have the choice of mailing How do I know if my ballot is received? You can always call your county elec tion office and ask if they received your ballot. A record is kept showing each voter whose ballot has been returned. Can anyone find out how I’ve voted once I mail my ballot? No. All ballots are separated from the return envelope before the ballots are inspected. This process ensures confidentiality. What if I have more questions? Call your county election official. Each office will be more than happy to assist you. The information above was obtained from www.sos .state .or.us. Please visit this site for additional details on voting in Oregon. The Siletz Tribe would like to encourage all tribal members to vote in this year’s national, state, local, and tribal elections Extra Sand Dollars for Seariffic Cause NEWPORT, Ore. - With April 15 just around the corner, Oregon taxpayers due to receive a refund on their 2003 taxes will have to decide whether or not to make a chari table donation. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is one option for taxpayers with a few extra sand dollars. The aquarium is listed among the qualified recipients for Oregon’s Charitable Checkoff Program under the “Other Charity” line of personal income tax form 40 and 40S. This is the third year that the aquarium has been listed as a donation recipient. Donation funds will support its statewide education programs and marine conservation and rehabilitation efforts. Individuals wishing to make a charitable donation to the aquarium must enter “4” on line 60 of their state income tax return (form 40). “Conservation, rehabilitation, research, and education programs are central to our mission,” said Hugh Dolly, spokesman for the Oregon Coast Aquarium. “We rely heavily on donations to support our efforts to help protect and care for the Oregon coast’s natural resources as well as providing a better understanding of these resources so that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy them.” The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a private, not-for-profit aquatic and marine science educational facility offering a fun and interesting way to learn about Oregon’s unique coastal ecosystem. It is dedicated to teaching marine wildlife and ocean preservation through responsible management and exhibition of marine life. Its objective is to develop and pursue conservation, education, and research programs of local and global signifi cance; to foster an awareness and appreciation of Oregon’s coastal environment and the interdepend ence of our global ecosystem; and to serve as a commu nity resource and recreational center. For more details, call 541 -867-3474, ext. 5228. February 2004 □ Siletz News □ 11
