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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (April 11, 2014)
14 1 1 Street roots » i W April i l ; 2014 It’s not just about the White House, Oregon seats up for vote BY DENISE WELCH for the right to face Sen. Jeff Merkley in the faU. egular readers of our column will Many voters sitout the primary election know that Partnership for Safety and season because they think it is not as ustice often writes about voting and important as a general election in the fall. In why we think it’s so ' many Oregon Legislative races, however, important. During voters in the primary elections will make presidential election / tiie ultimate decision about who will years, voter interest is represent their district Because of the way usually high and so is most legislative districts in Oregon are voter turnout. But in drawn, one party has a clear registration mid-term election years, advantage that result in the winner of the like1 this year, there is * primary facing little or no opposition in the no presidential race to fall. In the Oregon House, mote than half of get excited about. Lots , the 60 seats will be decided inflections in of folks think “Who cares? This year doesn’t which the victor is d ea r before ballots are matter.” Vpter turnout is traditionally very even mailed. Of the remaining seats, about a low. Even lower, however,is voter turnout dozen will be decided in a Republican in primary elections. Voting just isn’t on primary and about a half dozen will be ? most folks’ radars this time bf year. decided in a Democratic primary. That • leaves only about 10 seats that will be We want readers to know that primary elections are very important. We’d like to decided by a vote in the fall. Just looking at share with you why we think so-and ask you • the numbers, it is clear that the primary to. make sure, you are registered (or that elections have a significant impact on the your registration is up to date) and that you ultimate policy decisions made in Salem. Election outcomes are determined by vote in May. The upcoming May primary election will those who participate. Elected officials have a significant direct impact on make important (sometimes life or death) Oregonians. Voters will choose who will run decisions about how taxpayer dollars will be in the general election in November for 15 spent and the restraints the state will place seats in the Senate and all 60 House district on individual behavior. The drinking age, seats. More than 120 individuals have filed how old you must be. to get a driver’s * license, and how much money teachers to run for those 75 seats! In addition to the receive to educate our children are all Oregon legislative races, voters will decide decisions made by elected officials. Oregon’s who will face off against John Kitzhaber legislators decide how much money will be (running for his fourth term) for governor, spent on corrections, services for crime arid two Republican challengers are running C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R T) r\k s a. SAFETY and ■JUSTICE Denise Welch is the communications a n d development associate at Partnership for Safety and Justice. P SJ is a statewide, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to m aking Oregon’s approach to crime a n d public safety more effective f an d just. PAID TRAINING FOR PEOPLE WITH NO JU UW EST Beyond Limitations ' REQUIREMENTS: U S A B IL IT IE S ! 5312 NE 148th Ave. Portland, OR 97230 ✓ Pass a drug test / Must be at least 18 ✓ Must be able to provide documentation of a disability ✓ Fluency in English ✓ Clean background check QUESTIONS? Please call (503)261-1266 or (800) 874-7917 email: dcherry@phcnw.com ► ... to the health care you know and trust. WohRingJn partnership with providers/ ’ community health centers and social service ■agencies to serve people on the Oregon Health Ptan, Health Share is building a more accessible and coordinated care system throughout the Tri County area. Together we are healt 503-416-8090 1 www.healtbsfiareoregon org O b Health Share of Oregon survivors, drug and mental health treatment and whether changes to public safety policy will be màde. These are just a small sampling of the kinds of things our legislators decide - issues PSJ and our members care deeply about. Your vote is your voice Oregon is a leader! We are one of only 13 states that automatically restore voting rights to those leaving prison. We are one of only two states that conduct all of our elections by mail, making voting easy. If you’ve been following the national news, you’li know that many states are trying to . make it harder for people to vote. Oregon makes it easier! ft feels to us like we owe it to those who can’t use their voices to use ours!' When we vote, we are actually telling elected officials and lawmakers how we feel abôùt education, public safety, social security, health care and other important issues. There is power in numbers. When we vote and get our family members to vote; we can truly make a difference. If you don’t vote for what you believe in, others will - and you may not like the outcome. Voting is our chance to make a difference in our own lives. PSJ knows the importance of every single vote and how close some elections have beçn. In 2004, now-Secretary of State Kate Brown won her state senate seat by only 4Q-- votes! We at PSJ encourage you to vote in Oregon's election on May 20.Your vote counts - it.is your voice! ,
