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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2016)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 Getting young voters to turnout is elusive goal History of low participation By HILLARY BORRUD Capital Bureau SALEM — Oregon is among the easiest places in the nation to vote, with a vote-by- mail system and an automatic voter registration program. Still, turnout among the state’s youngest voters has lagged behind other age groups for years, just as it does nationally. That disparity is a popular target this year for state politi- cians, who have pitched a vari- ety of ideas aimed at getting more young people to vote. However, their proposals are limited to things government can control, from free ballot postage to mandatory mock elections in public schools. Some observers said young people are also looking for something else that is often missing: Exciting candidates. Turnout among voters ages 18 to 29 was lower than any other age group in the last two presidential and midterm elec- tions, according to data from The Bus Project, a nonprofi t in Portland that encourages young people to participate in politics and elections. In the 2008 presidential election, turnout for Oregon’s voters aged 18 to 29 reached nearly 65 percent. Turnout among these voters dipped to 40 percent during the mid- term elections. By contrast, 93 percent of registered vot- ers ages 60 to 69 participated in the 2008 presidential elec- tion , according to data from The Bus Project. Experience and values Nikki Fisher, the group’s executive director, said she hears from young people that political candidates do not share their experiences or val- ues, but “this year in particular, I think there are a lot of candi- dates who are refl ective.” Paul Gronke, a political science professor and director of the Early Voting Informa- Oregon’s young voter turnout Voter turnout for Oregonians ages 18 to 29 has been lower than among older voters, according to figures from The Bus Project, a nonprofit focused on young voters in Portland. Of approximately 2.2 million registered Oregon voters in 2014, roughly 70 percent voted, although just 40 percent of voters aged 18-29 voted that year. Age 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 EO Media Group 60-69 70+ 100 percent 80 Hillary Borrud/EO Media Group Willamette University student Nastja Nykaza, 19, said she plans to vote this year but is not sure whether her vote will make a difference. 60 64.8% 57.8% 40 40.2% 20 40.2% NOTE: Percentages are derived from matchback data which is preliminary. 2008 2010 Source: The Bus Project tion Center at Reed College, offered a different perspec- tive. Gronke said Oregon has a highly educated electorate and attracts large crowds to politi- cal rallies. “But then when you look at the political leadership, it’s so bland,” Gronke said. “Who’s the next hot shot in Oregon politics? I don’t know.” There are few competitive state or congressional races this year, and many of the candi- dates have been in politics for decades. State politicians have pitched a variety of ideas to boost young voter turnout in Oregon. All three Democrats in the May 17 primary for secre- tary of state — the offi cial in charge of elections — want the government to begin pay- ing for postage for vote-by- mail ballots. The proposal was included earlier this year in a bill sponsored by state Sen. Richard Devlin, D -Tualatin, and Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Eu- gene, each a candidate for sec- retary of state. “When I go to my children and ask them — who are both of voting age — if they have a stamp, they look at me like I 2012 2014 EO Media Group graphic have three heads because they don’t use the mail very often,” Hoyle said during a hearing on the bill. According to the legislative staff, the proposal would cost $1.8 million over the next two- year budget cycle. Ballot drop box The Legislature didn’t pass the free postage proposal, but did approve legislation that will require a ballot drop box within 4 miles of every public university and community col- lege campus in the state. Gronke said he was skep- tical of the claim it is incon- venient or unfamiliar for young people to purchase stamps, which are available at grocery stores and other locations. Democratic candidate Brad Avakian, the state’s labor com- missioner, wants to revive the state-paid postage proposal. He also wants to require mock elections and a new civics cur- riculum in public middle and high schools. According to Avakian’s website, “This education will lead to higher voter turnout, greater civic engagement, and stronger communities.” Coast Guard warns of consequences for false mayday calls Hillary Borrud/EO Media Group Willamette University stu- dents Nick Wagener, 21, and Taneesh Sra, 21, said they are excited to vote in the November presidential election. The League of Women Voters of Oregon already has a mock election program in many schools, and Gronke said there is some evidence that mock elections can encourage voter participation. ‘Kind of scary’ Across the street from Oregon’s Capitol, students relaxing at a coffee shop at Willamette University said they were excited to vote in the presidential election. “It’s been kind of scary, because I didn’t think (busi- nessman Donald) Trump would make it this far,” said Taneesh Sra, 21, who said this will be the second elec- tion in which she votes. Nick Wagener, 21, said he voted in 2012 and is excited to vote again this year, even though “you see both sides getting more radical, which isn’t good.” Wage- ner said this prevents politi- cians from tackling import- ant issues. Nastja Nykaza, 19, said she plans to vote but does not feel like she can make much of a difference. “I would like to think so, but I’m kind of pessimistic about that type of thing,” Nykaza said. Miles MacClure, 19, agreed and said news cov- erage gave some candi- dates an unfair advantage. “The corporate media is an advertising tool for candi- dates backed by large cor- porations, like Trump and (Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clin- ton),” MacClure said. The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. WARRENTON — The Coast Guard issued a warn- ing that there are serious legal consequences for mak- ing false mayday reports. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Command Center personnel received four potentially false may- day calls in a recent two- week period. “Hoax calls waste valu- able time and resources, but most importantly it poten- tially puts responding per- sonnel in danger and can interfere with legitimate search and rescue cases,” said Lt. Cmdr. Erika Barron, command center chief, Sec- tor Columbia River. “With busy spring and summer boating seasons, false dis- tress calls can divert essen- tial resources when they are needed elsewhere to ensure the safety of the public.” Making a hoax call to the Coast Guard is a crime pun- ishable by up to six years in prison; a $250,000 criminal fi ne, a $5,000 civil fi ne and reimbursement to the Coast Guard for operating costs incurred. The hourly stan- dard rates for Coast Guard assets can be found at Coast Guard Reimbursable Stan- dard Rates. A motor life boat, for example, costs $3,578 an hour. An H-60 helicopter bills $15,562 an hour. Boaters are encouraged to contact their local Coast Guard unit and relay any mayday calls they hear. z i l e F Fresh veggies from the food bank The Daily Astorian Free fruits and vegeta- bles are again being distrib- uted to qualifying low-income residents in Clatsop County on Thursdays through Sept. 29. This project, done in the style of a road side vegetable stand, is a direct result of the Food Bank Fresh initiatives launched by the Clatsop Com- munity Action Regional Food Bank. Times and locations are: • Astoria: 9 to 10:30 a.m., parking lot between Second and Third streets on the north side of Marine Drive. • Seaside: 12 to 1:30 p.m., Factory Outlet Center, 1111 N. Roosevelt Drive. • Warrenton: 3 to 4:30 p.m., CCA Regional Food Bank parking lot, 2010 S.E. Choke- berry Ave. “These free fruits and veg- etables are in addition to the food people receive during their regular visit to a food pantry, and are designed to complement the fresh whole - food activities in motion at CCA Regional Food Bank partner agencies in Clatsop County,” Marlin Martin, food bank director, said. Much of the fresh pro- duce received at the food bank comes directly from the Oregon Food Bank and the Network of Regional Food Banks. Truckloads of product, typically rejected from the retail markets, are donated or rescued to avoid wasting food that, although not perfect, is still fresh and consumable. The products are shipped directly CCA each week. Fresh produce donations are also received from local industry donors through the Fresh Alliance program, and from a grow- ing number of gardeners, farmers and backyard apple trees. In addition, as many as 70,000 packets of gar- dens seeds are being given to low-income residents inter- ested in growing fresh vegeta- bles at their homes. The seeds will be available at the Mobile Produce Pantries and at food pantries throughout Clatsop County. Fifteen to 20 volunteers are needed. Volunteers may serve as many days as they want to, but those who can commit to at least one morning or one after- noon shift each Thursday are especially sought. For infor- mation, or to volunteer, call 503-861-3663. 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