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! ,