Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 2016)
NORTHWEST East Oregonian Page 2A Thursday, May 5, 2016 Getting young voters to turn out is elusive goal Refuge occupiers concerned about liberal Portland jury By STEVEN DUBOIS Associated Press By HILLARY BORRUD Capital Bureau PORTLAND — Lawyers for those who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year are concerned a jury comprised of people from liberal Port- land won’t be impartial. Andrew Kohlmetz, who represents defendant Jason Patrick, suggested a change of venue for the September trial, and asked a federal judge Wednesday to approve funding for an analysis of the media attention the case received and, possibly, a survey of community attitudes. The two requests would total nearly $130,000. Kohlmetz said the “almost constant” media coverage of the 41-day protest was far different from a typical case, when the alleged crime happens out of the public eye. “For 41 days — and even before — there was lives- treamed media coverage that I expect the government sees as amounting to an immediate and ongoing confession,” he said. U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown seemed inclined to reject the funding unless the need was apparent after a thorough jury selec- tion process. She seemed more agree- able to a request from lawyers and defendant Ryan Bundy, who’s representing himself, that the jury includes people from throughout Oregon. Brown, however, said it’s “totally speculative” to suggest a jury from the Port- land district would be too liberal. The district includes Oregon’s entire northwest quadrant, and is a “far more 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 politicians, who have pitched a variety 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 elections, according to data from The Bus Project, a nonproit in Portland that encourages young people to participate in politics and elections. In the 2008 presiden- tial election, turnout for Oregon’s voters aged 18 to 29 reached nearly 65 percent. Turnout among these voters dipped to 40 percent during the midterm elections. By contrast, 93 percent of registered voters ages 60 to 69 participated in the 2008 presidential elec- tion, according to data from The Bus Project. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File In this Jan. 5 ile photo, Ammon Bundy speaks during an interview at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. to face the spectators. He proposed the trial be moved to a convention center. Also Wednesday: • Occupier Jason Patrick told Brown that a U.S. Marshal physically accosted him and threatened to harm his mother. Brown said she would bring his concerns to the head marshal. • Arnold said Ammon and Ryan Bundy have been underfed in jail and are losing weight. He asked for a boost in their rations. The lawyer also asked for better pens to aid in their legal defense, saying the jail-issued pens are uncomfortable to write with. • Occupier Blaine Cooper suffered chest pains and had to be escorted out. He returned 30 minutes later. • Occupier Kenneth Medenbach renewed his concern that the judge never took an oath, despite her insistence that she took it in 1999. Arnold interjected that perhaps the judge could “renew her vows.” The exasperated judge replied: “Mr. Arnold, please take your seat.” conservative crowd” than the city of Portland. The armed occupiers led by Ammon Bundy took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 2, demanding that the government turn over the land to locals and release two ranchers imprisoned for setting ires. Bundy and 25 others were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to impede employees at the wildlife refuge from performing their duties. Many face additional charges. Though short of a circus, the atmosphere was lively during the monthly status hearing. Brown said she’s leaning toward modifying the courtroom for the trial, perhaps by seating the media and spectators in a separate room. “Right now, there’s not even a way for a witness to approach the witness stand,” she said. Mike Arnold, Ammon Bundy’s lawyer, objected, saying his client deserves the right to a public trial and witnesses should have Didn’t receive your paper? Call 1-800-522-0255 before noon Tuesday through Friday or before 10 a.m. Saturday for same-day redelivery 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 541-276-2211 333 E. Main St., Hermiston 541-567-6211 Ofice hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays To subscribe, call 1-800-522-0255 or go online to www.eastoregonian.com and click on ‘Subscribe’ East Oregonian (USPS 164-980) is published daily except Sunday, Monday and Dec. 25, by the EO Media Group, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801. Periodicals postage paid at Pendleton, OR. Postmaster: send address changes to East Oregonian, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801. Corrections Classiied & Legal Advertising 1-800-962-2819 or 541-278-2678 classiieds@eastoregonian.com or legals@eastoregonian.com NEWS • To submit news tips and press releases: • call 541-966-0818 • fax 541-276-8314 • email news@eastoregonian.com • To submit community events, calendar items and Your EO News: email community@eastoregonian.com or call Tammy Malgesini at 541-564-4539 or Renee Struthers in at 541-966-0818. • To submit engagements, weddings and anniversaries: email rstruthers@eastoregonian.com or visit www.eastoregonian. com/community/announcements • To submit a Letter to the Editor: mail to Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 or email editor@eastoregonian.com. • To submit sports or outdoors information or tips: 541-966-0838 • sports@eastoregonian.com Multimedia Consultants • Jeanne Jewett 541-564-4531 • jjewett@eastoregonian.com • Terri Briggs 541-278-2678 • tbriggs@eastoregonian.com • Dayle Stinson 541-966-0806 • dstinson@eastoregonian.com • Stephanie Newsom 541-278-2687 • snewsom@eastoregonian.com • Audra Workman 541-564-4538 • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • Chris McClellan 541-966-0802 • cmcclellan@eastoregonian.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES Local home delivery Savings off cover price EZPay $14.50 41 percent 52 weeks $173.67 41 percent 26 weeks $91.86 38 percent 13 weeks $47.77 36 percent *EZ Pay = one-year rate with a monthly credit or debit card/check charge www.eastoregonian.com Single copy price: $1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday COMMERCIAL PRINTING Production Manager: Mike Jensen 541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com Copyright © 2016, EO Media Group REGIONAL CITIES Forecast FRIDAY TODAY SATURDAY A shower or t-storm in spots Mostly cloudy and comfortable 73° 52° 80° 52° Very warm with sunshine SUNDAY Mostly sunny, breezy and warm MONDAY Partly sunny and pleasant PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 83° 56° 78° 50° 71° 41° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 78° 53° 86° 55° PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW 75° 68° 92° (1966) 53° 43° 22° (1897) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.00" 0.00" 0.13" 4.40" 3.13" 5.28" HERMISTON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH Yesterday Normals Records LOW 76° 70° 90° (1966) 57° 43° 29° (2011) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date Trace Trace 0.16" 2.98" 1.79" 4.18" SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today New First May 6 May 13 82° 51° 76° 44° Seattle 68/52 ALMANAC Yesterday Normals Records 89° 58° Full 5:37 a.m. 8:08 p.m. 5:15 a.m. 6:57 p.m. Last May 21 May 29 Today Spokane Wenatchee 72/55 75/55 Tacoma Moses 69/45 Lake Pullman Aberdeen Olympia Yakima 77/57 70/53 65/48 71/43 79/55 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 70/48 74/54 Lewiston 80/57 Astoria 76/56 65/48 Portland Enterprise Hermiston 72/52 Pendleton 69/48 The Dalles 78/53 73/52 76/54 La Grande Salem 71/52 72/49 Albany Corvallis 70/48 70/49 John Day 70/49 Ontario Eugene Bend 83/55 68/48 62/45 Caldwell Burns 83/53 72/43 Astoria Baker City Bend Brookings Burns Enterprise Eugene Heppner Hermiston John Day Klamath Falls La Grande Meacham Medford Newport North Bend Ontario Pasco Pendleton Portland Redmond Salem Spokane Ukiah Vancouver Walla Walla Yakima Hi 65 74 62 62 72 69 68 70 78 70 59 71 68 68 60 61 83 80 73 72 66 72 72 65 70 74 79 Lo 48 46 45 51 43 48 48 50 53 49 45 52 49 52 48 50 55 55 52 52 43 49 55 46 49 54 55 W pc c t sh c pc pc c c c sh c c c pc c pc c c pc t pc c c pc c c NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Fri. Hi 70 75 68 67 71 70 79 76 86 72 68 75 73 76 65 65 81 87 80 83 75 82 78 69 81 80 87 Lo 50 46 48 54 47 47 51 51 55 53 47 50 49 54 50 53 53 59 52 56 47 52 55 45 52 58 58 Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. W s c c pc pc t pc c c c t c c c s pc pc pc c s c pc s c s c s WORLD CITIES Today Beijing Hong Kong Jerusalem London Mexico City Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Sydney Tokyo Hi 82 87 73 66 81 57 67 71 79 74 74 Lo 51 79 54 49 52 42 45 50 59 56 60 W s t s pc t r s s pc s s Fri. Hi 77 88 68 71 81 67 74 71 67 77 71 Lo 49 79 53 55 51 42 53 51 51 58 60 W s pc pc pc pc s pc pc sh s c WINDS Medford 68/52 (in mph) Klamath Falls 59/45 Boardman Pendleton REGIONAL FORECAST Coastal Oregon: Periods of clouds and sunshine today; a couple of showers in the south. Eastern and Central Oregon: Mostly cloudy today with a shower or thunderstorm around. Western Washington: Partly sunny today, except more clouds across the south. Clear tonight. Eastern Washington: A shower or thunder- storm around today; however, dry toward the Cascades. Cascades: Mostly cloudy today and tonight; a couple of showers, but dry across the north. Northern California: A shower or thun- derstorm today, but rain and drizzle in the interior mountains. Today Friday WNW 4-8 WNW 4-8 NNE 8-16 N 6-12 UV INDEX TODAY Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. 1 3 4 4 3 are both of voting age — if they have a stamp, they look at me like I have three heads because they don’t use the mail very often,” Hoyle said during a hearing on the bill. According to the legisla- tive staff, the proposal would cost $1.8 million over then next two-year budget cycle. The Legislature didn’t pass the free postage proposal, but did approve legislation that will require a ballot drop box within four miles of every public univer- sity and community college campus in the state. Gronke said he was skeptical of the claim it is inconvenient 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 commissioner, wants to revive the state-paid postage proposal. He also wants to require mock elections and a new civics curriculum 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.” 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 participa- tion. The East Oregonian works hard to be accurate and sincerely regrets any errors. If you notice a mistake in the paper, please call 541-966-0818. ADVERTISING Advertising Director: Jennine Perkinson 541-278-2683 • jperkinson@eastoregonian.com Subscriber services: For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255 — Founded Oct. 16, 1875 — Nikki Fisher, the group’s executive director, said she hears from young people that political candidates do not share their experiences or values, but “this year in particular, I think there are a lot of candidates who are relective.” Paul Gronke, a political science professor and director of the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College, offered a different perspective. Gronke said Oregon has a highly educated electorate and attracts large crowds to political 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 congres- sional races this year, and many of the candidates have been 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 oficial in charge of elections — want the government to begin paying for postage for vote- by-mail ballots. The proposal was included earlier this year in a bill sponsored by state Sen. Richard Devlin, R-Tu- alatin, and Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Eugene, each a candidate for secretary of state. “When I go to my chil- dren and ask them — who 1 8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 0-2, Low 3-5, Moderate 6-7, High; 8-10, Very High; 11+, Extreme The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num- ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016 -10s -0s showers t-storms 0s 10s rain 20s flurries 30s 40s snow ice 50s 60s cold front 70s 80s 90s 100s warm front stationary front 110s high low National Summary: Many areas from North Carolina to Ohio and Maine will be unsettled with clouds and showers today. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to spread inland across California, Oregon and Washington. Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 102° in Gila Bend, Ariz. Low 14° in Cabin Creek, Colo. NATIONAL CITIES Today Albuquerque Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Hi 82 65 54 57 84 70 84 50 75 56 60 57 80 80 67 90 59 86 85 82 64 77 72 85 75 66 Lo 55 51 49 48 56 49 57 46 51 46 41 45 57 50 45 64 41 57 73 54 44 50 50 59 50 57 W pc pc r sh pc pc pc sh t sh pc sh s pc pc pc pc s sh s pc s s pc s sh Fri. Hi 81 73 56 58 62 75 78 56 75 63 75 64 83 79 70 93 61 81 85 83 70 77 80 70 79 66 Lo 49 53 50 49 48 52 55 48 53 47 58 47 61 48 50 61 44 43 72 56 55 52 61 55 56 56 Today W pc s r r c s c sh pc sh s c pc s s s pc pc pc s s s s t s t Louisville Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Omaha Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, ME Providence Raleigh Rapid City Reno Sacramento St. Louis Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco Seattle Tucson Washington, DC Wichita Hi 64 71 85 56 75 64 78 56 78 77 58 95 51 51 65 85 64 72 68 85 69 65 68 94 58 79 Lo 50 51 65 43 57 48 59 50 52 52 50 65 42 44 49 51 45 53 48 60 59 53 52 61 51 50 W c s s s pc pc s sh s s r pc sh c t s pc t s pc sh t pc pc sh s Fri. Hi 73 75 83 70 85 74 78 57 81 84 58 78 57 61 63 81 63 70 81 74 68 63 76 80 60 82 Lo 56 58 62 55 55 52 62 51 58 57 51 60 43 48 49 47 46 52 61 54 59 53 55 54 52 60 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. W s s s s t s s sh s s r pc c sh pc pc t t s t t t s pc r s