8
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Smoke Signals
Election Board encouraging voters to mail in ballots ASAP
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Changes at the U.S. Postal Ser-
vice, such as disappearing mail
boxes and the dismantling of high-
speed sorters, are prompting con-
cern that Grand Ronde voters who
live in 43 states and six foreign
countries may be disenfranchised if
they hold on to their Sept. 12 Tribal
Council election ballots for too long.
Tribal voters who plan to vote
by mail, which an overwhelming
majority do, probably should make
up their minds and get their ballot
in the mail pronto.
The Election Board met on Tues-
day, Aug. 18, to discuss election
matters, as well as how the Postal
Service mail delivery slowdown will
affect the Tribal Council election.
“The Election Board has been
communicating with the local
Grand Ronde post office on a regu-
lar basis and there is no indication
that our local service has become
delayed because of changes within
the U.S. Postal Service,” Election
Board Chair DeAnne Johnston
said. “Elections are the cornerstone
to a healthy government and every
vote counts.
“If Tribal members have concerns
about a possible delay, we’d encour-
age you to complete and return your
ballot by mail as soon as possible,
or deliver your ballots by hand to a
drop box located at the Governance
Center, or vote in person on Sept.
12 at the Community Center.”
During the 2019 election, 2,659
ballots were mailed out. Of the
1,350 ballots that were eventu-
ally cast, 89.4 percent arrived in
the mail. This year’s ballots were
mailed on July 29 and ballots that
arrive after Saturday, Sept. 12, will
Mail-in ballots during the
last five Tribal Council elections
Year
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Ballots cast
1,350
1,278
1,369
1,309
1,151
Mailed
1,207
1,146
1,231
1,148
1,041
Pct.
89.4
89.7
89.9
87.7
90.4
Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez
The Grand Ronde Election Board is encouraging Tribal Council voters to mail
their ballots in as early as possible as delays nationwide have been reported
with the U.S. Postal Service.
not count in the election.
In addition, the Grand Ronde
post office is no longer open on
Saturdays, so ballots need to arrive
by Friday, Sept. 11, to find their
way into the Tribe’s post office box
in time.
This year, Tribal voters are choos-
Certified Application Assisters
at the Health & Wellness Center
Cassandra Rhamey is available to assist with
recertification and applications for the Oregon Health Plan.
She can be reached at 503-879-1359
or cassandra.rhamey@grandronde.org.
Leah Bailey also is a Certified
Application Assister available to help.
She can be reached at 503-879-2197
or leah.bailey@grandronde.org.
cultural
education
A re you missing out on what Cultural
Education has to offer? Follow us on Facebook
to get detailed class information, photos from
events, and updates.
Plus, check out the tribal calendar for a quick
glance of upcoming events and classes.
Open to Tribal and Community members.
Join us!
Search Facebook for Grand Ronde Cultrual Education
Tribal Calendar // www.grandronde.org/tribal-calendar
ing from the smallest field of can-
didates for Tribal Council since
1983’s Restoration. Incumbents
Chris Mercier, Michael Langley
and Lisa Leno are being challenged
by former Tribal Council Chairman
Reyn Leno and Peter Grout, the son
of longtime Tribal Council member
Valarene Grout.
For the fourth consecutive year,
Tribal members also are being
asked to weigh in on advisory vote
questions. The five questions seek
opinions on removing the parent on
the roll at time of birth enrollment
requirement, building a walking
path from Grand Meadows to Spirit
Mountain Casino, increasing Trib-
al investments in environmental
stewardship, allowing electronic
voting and evaluating the need for
a child care center in Grand Ronde.
Controversy regarding the Post-
al Service erupted in mid-August
when social media posts showed
mail boxes being removed in Port-
land and Eugene and Postal Service
employees disclosed the disman-
tling of the high-speed sorters.
Critics claim that Postmaster
General Louis DeJoy is seeking
to suppress the vote in the Nov.
3 General Election while Trump
administration officials defend the
moves as necessary cost-saving
measures because the Postal Ser-
vice is losing money.
Tribal voters who live within
driving distance of Grand Ronde
can vote in person between 9 a.m.
and 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in
the Tribal Community Center, 9615
Grand Ronde Road. In 2019, 143
Tribal members voted in person.
This year, COVID-19 prevention
protocols will be in place to protect
voters and Election Board workers.
Johnston said there will be three
voting booths with proper spacing
between them to allow for social
distancing. Voting booths will be
disinfected after every use and only
three people will be allowed in the
building at one time. “As one exits
out the side door, another one will
be let in,” she said.
In addition, temperatures will
be taken at the front door and face
masks will be required to be worn
at all times when in the Community
Center.
There also is a ballot drop box
located in the Governance Center.
The Tribe’s Election Board office
in the Community Center is open
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednes-
day and Friday through Sept. 11.
The office can be contacted at 503-
879-2271.
Police Department has
non-emergency text line
The Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department has created a non-emer-
gency text line at 541-921-2927. “Even though this is mostly designed for
children, I don’t want adults thinking that they can’t use it as well.” said
Grand Ronde Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight. McKnight said that
emergency situations still require calling 911. For more information,
contact McKnight at 503-879-1474.
Community Health Program
Medical Transport
Services
Medical transportation
services are available to
Tribal members within
the six-county service
area when an alternate
means of transportation
is not available. Advance
notice required.
Please call 503-879-2078
to schedule a reservation.
