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NORTHWEST ‘Motor Voter’ raised turnout, lowered percentage East Oregonian Page 2A Thursday, November 10, 2016 Regulators tell Portland to reduce lead levels More voters are registered, but many did not vote PORTLAND (AP) — The Oregon Health Authority has ordered Portland to reduce lead levels in drinking water on the heels of new testing that found too much lead at some taps. In a Nov. 4 letter to the Portland Water Bureau, Oregon public health director Lillian Shirley said the city must submit a plan for lead reduction by Dec. 2, and iden- tify immediate steps it will take to fix the problem. To permanently solve the issue, Portland must upgrade its water treatment facilities and infrastructure, Shirley said. She gave the city six years to get it done. City officials contacted by The Oregonian/OregonLive on Wednesday declined to say what steps they might suggest Dec. 2. Past studies have shown By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — Oregonians voted in Tuesday’s election at a slightly lower rate than usual for a presidential elec- tion, which may be attributable to the state’s new automatic voter registration law. About 76.2 percent of the state’s 2.56 million registered voters cast ballots, according to unofficial ballot returns compiled by the Oregon Secre- tary of State and published Wednesday morning. In the 2012 election, about 82.8 percent of registered voters returned ballots, according to the Secretary of State’s Office; in 2008, turnout among registered voters was 85.67 percent, and in 2004, 86.48 percent. Since the last presidential election, the state implemented a landmark law automatically registering new drivers to vote. As of late October, about 230,000 people were registered to vote through the 2015 law, referred to as “Motor Voter.” Jim Moore, a professor of political science at Pacific University, said the law probably had the “expected” effect — dilution. “...the Motor Voter act brought in new people who didn’t vote,” Moore said. “That’s totally to be expected.” Although the number of registered voters leapt the highest numerically it ever has in a two-year period, that jump Staff photo by E.J. Harris A voter drops off a ballot at the Umatilla County Courthouse in Pendleton on Tuesday. is merely the fourth-highest percentage increase in registered voters in Oregon history, Moore said. The state saw a higher percentage increase when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18, for example, Moore said. About 1.95 million ballots were returned this year. Moore noted that Democratic Gov. Kate Brown likely benefited from the unusual timing of this year’s guberna- torial race. That contest is usually held in the even years between presidential elec- tions. But because Brown succeeded to the governorship when John Kitzhaber resigned early in his term, she was required to run this year to fill out the remainder of his four-year term. More people tend to participate in presidential elections, and when there’s higher turnout in Oregon more Democrats usually vote, Moore said. Participation rates appeared highest among registered Republicans and Democrats in this election, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. About 85.1 percent of the 715, 845 registered Republicans returned a ballot, while 84 percent of the 985,696 registered Democrats returned a ballot. Meanwhile, about 74.8 percent of the 119,268 registered Independents returned ballots and about 56.6 percent of the 675,809 nonaffiliated voters did so. Under Oregon’s law, unless a person chooses to register with a particular party or opts out of registration, Motor Voters are registered as nonaffiliated. BRIEFLY Palmer wins bid for re-election Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer won a close race for reelection Tuesday evening. Final unofficial results released by Grant County Clerk Brenda Percy showed Palmer earned 2,208 votes, while challenger Todd McKinley earned 2,065. Palmer has held the office since 2000. He faced scrutiny from some for meeting in John Day with some of the people who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns earlier this year. Although some pleaded guilty to conspiring to impede federal employees, the leaders of the occupation, Ammon and Ryan Bundy, and five others were recently found not guilty of the crime by a jury. Palmer is still the subject of an ongoing state Department of Justice investigation into complaints filed after he met with the occupiers. — Blue Mountian Eagle Oregon GMO mediation needs legislative fix When the ODA began the rulemaking process for the mediation program, the agency discovered it lacked the authority to legally imple- ment it. Another bill passed in 2015, House Bill 2444, clarified language related to mediation by the agency and removed key provisions that ODA relied upon for the GMO mediation program. “Through the hustle and bustle of the legislative session, it wasn’t cross- checked with the other mediation bill,” said Kathryn Walker, special assistant to ODA’s director. The problem will require a legis- lative fix during the 2017 session, she said. “There is interest in correcting the situation.” Since the law was passed, though, the agency has received no requests for mediation under the program, Walker said. Growers can seek similar media- tion through the USDA, but none have expressed interest with that agency, By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI Capital Press SALEM — A legislative mix-up has blocked the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s implementation of a mediation program for growers of conventional, organic and biotech crops. A lack of interest in the program, however, raises questions about its necessity. In 2015, Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 2509, which created mediation protocols for growers who believe nearby farming practices are interfering with their operations. While the wording of the legislation is broad, it was considered a compromise bill to soothe conflicts among producers of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, and their neighbors. Another proposal to create “control areas” where GMOs would be subject to restrictions died in committee that year. either. Problems of cross-pollination among GMOs and other crops aren’t prevalent, said Barry Bushue, presi- dent of the Oregon Farm Bureau. “My guess is there’s probably not a lot of need for it,” Bushue said of the GMO mediation program. Bushue pointed to a USDA survey that found only 92 organic farms across the U.S. experienced crop losses from GMOs between 2011 and 2014, while the nation has more than 14,000 organic farms. “It’s incredibly small,” he said. Oregonians for Food and Shelter, an agribusiness group, wants to know what kind of problems exist, but the lack of conflicts reported to ODA or USDA indicate they’re likely minimal, said Scott Dahlman, the group’s policy director. “It speaks volumes to the fact that farmers know how to work together and find ways to figure it out them- selves,” he said. 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 — Founded Oct. 16, 1875 — 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 541-276-2211 333 E. Main St., Hermiston 541-567-6211 Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays 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 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. Single copy price: $1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday Copyright © 2016, EO Media Group TODAY SATURDAY FRIDAY Fog in the morning; mostly sunny Cloudy most of the time 58° 41° 59° 45° SUNDAY A morning shower; partly sunny Mostly cloudy MONDAY Partly sunny with a shower PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 60° 42° 57° 45° 59° 42° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 60° 45° 59° 40° PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW 65° 52° 72° (1989) 41° 34° 19° (1986) 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" 0.19" 0.36" 10.58" 6.94" 10.39" HERMISTON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH Yesterday Normals Records LOW 67° 54° 71° (1995) 38° 34° 13° (1936) 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" 0.09" 0.33" 7.42" 4.74" 7.64" SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today Full Last Nov 14 Nov 21 New Nov 29 58° 44° 60° 39° Seattle 60/50 ALMANAC Yesterday Normals Records 63° 39° 6:48 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 2:38 p.m. 1:41 a.m. First Dec 7 Today Spokane Wenatchee 57/43 58/44 Tacoma Moses 61/46 Lake Pullman Aberdeen Olympia Yakima 60/40 63/47 60/51 60/46 64/42 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 61/49 56/45 Lewiston 59/39 Astoria 64/45 64/50 Portland Enterprise Hermiston 63/49 Pendleton 60/40 The Dalles 59/40 58/41 62/43 La Grande Salem 63/41 62/48 Albany Corvallis 62/47 62/48 John Day 63/32 Ontario Eugene Bend 62/36 62/48 65/37 Caldwell Burns 61/37 64/31 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 64 62 65 63 64 60 62 56 59 63 67 63 62 67 62 64 62 60 58 63 67 62 57 61 64 56 64 Lo 50 33 37 52 31 40 48 40 40 32 37 41 40 45 51 50 36 39 41 49 40 48 43 39 48 45 42 W c s s pc s s pc s s s s s s pc pc pc s s s pc s pc s s pc s pc Today Beijing Hong Kong Jerusalem London Mexico City Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Sydney Tokyo Lo 28 64 59 37 55 35 40 51 42 63 49 W pc r pc sh pc sn sh pc r pc c Lo 54 45 41 52 38 49 50 44 45 39 41 49 44 47 53 54 41 46 45 52 41 50 46 44 51 48 44 W r pc c sh pc pc r c c c pc pc pc c r r s c c r c r pc c r c c Fri. Hi 51 76 72 47 67 38 49 66 58 73 58 Lo 32 73 56 42 55 22 37 44 37 65 53 W s pc pc pc t sn pc t r pc r WINDS Medford 67/45 Klamath Falls 67/37 (in mph) Today Friday Boardman Pendleton VAR 3-6 N 3-6 VAR 2-4 ENE 3-6 UV INDEX TODAY Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. REGIONAL FORECAST Coastal Oregon: Times of clouds and sun today. Cloudy tonight; however, partly cloudy in the south. Eastern and Central Oregon: Mostly sunny today; areas of fog across the north during the morning. Western Washington: Clouds and sun today; areas of morning fog. A little rain at the coast tonight. Eastern Washington: Sunshine today; however, some clouds toward the Cascades; fog across the south, near the Idaho border and in the mountains. Cascades: Partly sunny and warm today; pleasant in central parts. Northern California: Partly sunny today. Partly cloudy tonight. Showers tomorrow afternoon at the coast. 0 1 2 1 0 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 COMMERCIAL PRINTING Production Manager: Mike Jensen 541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. WORLD CITIES Hi 51 68 76 51 66 39 52 62 51 74 55 Classified & Legal Advertising 1-800-962-2819 or 541-278-2678 classifieds@eastoregonian.com or legals@eastoregonian.com NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Fri. Hi 64 62 64 62 64 63 64 58 60 63 62 65 62 67 64 67 62 57 59 62 66 62 58 62 63 59 60 PORTLAND (AP) — A second defendant in the Oregon ranching standoff case has asked to withdraw his guilty plea. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Eric Lee Flores says “newly discovered evidence” presented at the recent trial of seven people who took over a federal wildlife refuge in a 41-day armed standoff with authorities is grounds for the plea withdrawal. Flores’ lawyer, Ernest Warren Jr., says testimony from FBI informants revealed that they were encouraging others to violate the law and escalate confrontations with officers. Prosecutors said during the trial that 15 FBI informants were involved in the investigation of the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, including nine who were at the refuge during the takeover. Flores was scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8. Corrections REGIONAL CITIES Forecast Second standoff defendant wants to withdraw plea 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 Director: Marissa Williams 541-278-2669 • addirector@eastoregonian.com Advertising Services: Laura Jensen 541-966-0806 • ljensen@eastoregonian.com Multimedia Consultants: • Terri Briggs 541-278-2678 • tbriggs@eastoregonian.com • Elizabeth Freemantle 541-278-2683 • efreemantle@eastoregonian.com • Jeanne Jewett 541-564-4531 • jjewett@eastoregonian.com • Chris McClellan 541-966-0827 • cmcclellan@eastoregonian.com • Stephanie Newsom 541-278-2687 • snewsom@eastoregonian.com • Dayle Stinson 541-278-2670 • dstinson@eastoregonian.com • Audra Workman 541-564-4538 • aworkman@eastoregonian.com Subscriber services: For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255 that Portland could increase pH levels and alkalinity, which would likely reduce the pipe corrosion that causes lead release, particularly in homes with lead-soldered plumbing or brass faucets. As for the long-term plan, Scott Bradway, Portland’s lead hazard reduction manager, said the City Council will be asked to approve a new water treatment plant. “Right now, our indications are this is probably the best path,” he told the newspaper. Portland’s lead levels are higher than others nationally because regulators in the 1990s allowed the city to sidestep rules meant to minimize lead and pipe corrosion. Officials at the time considered exposure to lead paint a bigger problem, and were allowed to focus on that issue. 0 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: Much of the nation will remain free of rain and snow today. The main exception will be lingering showers in southern and western Texas. Warmth will hold over the West and build briefly into the Northeast. Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 98° in Miramar MCAS, Calif. Low 8° in Walden, 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 59 71 59 60 59 72 66 51 68 60 65 60 69 68 60 64 25 59 84 74 60 72 68 79 67 90 Lo 38 44 47 42 36 40 44 43 44 41 44 48 54 32 43 46 15 31 69 52 43 44 43 57 42 61 W s s s s s s s pc s s s s pc s s pc c s s c s s s s s s Fri. Hi 61 73 63 63 66 74 69 58 76 59 51 53 75 60 52 66 26 46 85 75 56 78 59 78 71 83 Lo 38 49 35 34 45 47 48 34 49 33 31 35 53 33 30 46 12 35 71 53 31 49 35 56 44 60 Today W s pc s pc s pc s pc pc pc pc pc pc s pc sh c s s pc pc pc s s s s 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 65 67 81 63 63 68 75 56 68 68 58 83 47 54 63 67 71 77 66 63 86 72 60 78 62 69 Lo 44 45 66 42 39 41 56 47 48 38 45 61 39 41 41 29 41 51 46 42 60 56 50 55 46 43 W s s pc s s s s s s s s s pc pc s s s s s s s s pc s s s Fri. Hi 62 70 81 51 49 69 75 60 69 59 62 83 54 59 69 58 71 75 60 65 82 70 61 78 64 62 Lo 38 46 64 33 33 41 58 36 42 30 37 60 26 31 38 35 44 52 38 43 60 58 51 53 39 36 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. W pc pc s pc pc pc pc pc s s s s pc pc s s pc pc s s s pc r pc s s
