OPINION READER’S FORUM
Founded in 1906
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020
A4
EDITOR’S DESK
The right to vote shouldn’t be taken for granted
O
n May 7, 1955, Reverend
George Lee was shot and
killed by an unidentifi ed
assailant while driving his car.
Lee was the fi rst Black resident of
Humphreys County, Missouri, to reg-
ister to vote, and after
he registered he worked
hard to register other
Black residents to vote.
He received death threats
demanding he remove
Jade
his name from the vot-
McDowell
ers rolls and cease his
NEWS EDITOR
activism, and historians
believe his murder was in retaliation
for his efforts.
On Nov. 14, 1917, in an event
dubbed the “Night of Terror,” 33
women who had been arrested for
peacefully protesting outside the
White House for the right to vote
were brought to the Occoquan Work-
house. Women there that night later
described being beaten, pinched,
thrown to the ground or choked as
they were thrown into fi lthy, rat-in-
fested cells.
On April 22, 2018, a suicide
bomber at a voter registration site
in Kabul, Afghanistan, killed more
than 50 people waiting to register to
vote. It wasn’t the fi rst time or the
last time that polling places and reg-
istration events have been bombed in
Afghanistan.
In Georgia (the state, not the East-
ern European country), people voting
early in the presidential election this
month have had to stand in line for as
long as 10 hours to do so.
I’m sure any of the people affected
by these events would feel incredu-
lous that someone who could simply
fi ll out a ballot at home and drop it in
Staff photo by Ben Lonergan, File
Dan Lonai, the Umatilla County director of administrative services, watches as ballots run
through a counting machine at the Umatilla County Elections offi ce in Pendleton on May 15,
2020.
their mailbox, without any legitimate
fear of violent retribution, would not
choose to do so. And yet thousands
of eligible Umatilla and Morrow
County voters do so each year.
I’ve talked to some of them. They
say they don’t feel confi dent they
know enough about the candidates
and issues to make the right decision,
or they don’t think their vote will
count. Those are valid concerns. But
fortunately those concerns are more
easily dealt with in comparison with
concerns about being beaten, killed
or arrested.
To the fi rst point, there are
resources readily available to assist
people in learning about candidates
and measures.
Voters are sent a voter’s guide,
featuring statements submitted by
candidates and people backing mea-
sures, discussing their accomplish-
ments, values and who has endorsed
them. Most candidates have websites
or social media pages that can give
you a feel for what is most import-
ant to them. Candidate forums —
usually fi lmed and posted online for
those who couldn’t attend in per-
son — allow for a less fi ltered look
at the candidate’s thoughts. And local
newspapers and other news media
act as watchdogs to help inform peo-
ple of those things a candidate might
wish stayed hidden.
Those sources of information may
not be as enticing, but the cast of
“Orange is the New Black” doesn’t
get to decide what your water rates
are.
Some low-profi le candidates —
say, someone running for the board
of your local cemetery district — are
pretty hard to fi nd information on.
But voters have an option of leaving
some races blank while only voting
on the races they do know about.
To the second point, that voters are
concerned their votes won’t count,
I don’t believe that’s the case. I’ve
covered local races that have come
within fi ve votes. You may not be the
deciding factor on the next president,
but then again, the 2000 presidential
election came down to 537 votes in a
recount in Florida, and I don’t think
anyone would be shocked to see a
recount or Supreme Court decision
involved again in this year’s presi-
dential election.
If you’ve fi lled out your ballot and
returned it already, great. If you have
received one but haven’t returned
it yet, please consider blocking out
some time to consider the candi-
dates and issues and vote in at least
a few of the races. Ballots can be
mailed back, no postage required, but
remember that they must be received,
not merely postmarked, by 8 p.m. on
Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can also drop
them off at secured drop boxes in
front of city halls and county court-
houses, including the one in the
drive-thru outside the old Hermiston
City Hall.
And if you’re voting in this elec-
tion but are part of the more than half
of Umatilla County residents who
skip the primary elections, consider
voting during springtime elections
too. Smaller numbers mean your vote
holds more sway, and a strong pri-
mary turnout can help prevent a sit-
uation in the general election where
no one is thrilled with either of their
choices.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Maier has the skills to be
commissioner
Here we are nearing Election
Day and we have new develop-
ments in our county commissioner
race. When Pat Maier told me she
is doing a write-in campaign I was
excited for Umatilla County, as I
knew we now had a great choice
of who to vote for!
I personally support Pat Maier
for Umatilla County commissioner
because she aligns most with what
I believe Umatilla County needs
compared to the other candidates.
Maier is a successful business-
woman, intelligent and will nego-
tiate what’s best for the county,
not special interest groups. We
need more successful business
people involved in government,
people that are used to spending
their own money tend to be fi s-
cally conservative and not will-
ing to grow government. Maier
is a level-headed problem solver
that looks at all sides of an issue
in order to make the best decision.
She listens, asks questions and
does the research to fi nd solutions.
Maier is pro-business and will
work toward a business friendly
environment for the entire county.
In the years I‘ve known Pat,
we’ve spoken many times about
issues in the county and while
we’ve not always seen eye to eye,
I knew I could trust her judge-
ment and we collaborated on many
issues. I like the fact Maier is not
beholden to anyone; I cannot say
the same thing of Dan Dorran.
I listened to Dorran in several
of the county charter review meet-
ings I attended and was very dis-
appointed he supported having
a county manager and part-time
commissioners. We don’t need to
change our county form of gov-
ernment and if Dorran is elected,
that’s what he will work towards.
In my opinion Dorran would
be a liability to the county, hav-
ing a recent arrest for DUII and an
accident, during which thankfully
no one was seriously injured. This
shows poor judgment on his part.
I hope you join me and write-in
Pat Maier for county commis-
sioner. Let’s hire a successful busi-
ness person for the job, she is our
best choice!
Suni Danforth
Milton-Freewater
Best councilors for the job
Dear voters,
I attended the forum held at the
Community Center in Hermiston
where the candidates voiced their
concerns and opinions on how to
help and solve issues within our
town and county. After listening
and reading about the candidates,
I highly recommend the ones that
I believe are the best qualifi ed and
will lead with intelligence, skill,
and compassion where necessary.
They will represent all of the cit-
izens of Hermiston and Umatilla
County. For Umatilla County com-
missioner I recommend Dan Dor-
ran; for Hermiston City Coun-
cil, Rod Hardin, David McCarthy,
Nancy Peterson, and Doug Prim-
mer. We want the best and we
deserve the best. Thank you.
Jackie Linton
Hermiston
Smith has true compassion
Our election ballots are on their
way to our mailbox and we are
waiting for our opportunity to cast
our votes for Rep. Greg Smith.
Greg has been a personal friend
for many years but more impor-
tantly, he has been a friend to East-
ern Oregon.
Living in a smaller town within
his district, Greg knows and under-
stands the issues facing rural Ore-
gon. He understands the strengths
and challenges of our communi-
ties. We continue to watch as he
fi ghts with honesty and common
sense for Eastern Oregon.
Greg has a strong grasp of the
greater Hermiston area and the
economic development therein.
He is a strong advocate and has
the ability to continue the leader-
ship necessary to help continue
the growth and area development.
Greg will continue to fi ght for our
local communities and continue
making a signifi cant impact.
Greg Smith has true compas-
sion for the residents of District 57
and a willingness to listen to peo-
ple’s problems, concerns and sug-
gestions. He is a true leader giv-
ing careful thought to decisions he
makes, and he is willing to share
those reasons. Often he is called
upon to lead discussions and bring
all sides into focus, coming out
with a consensus of the whole —
not an easy task.
Please join us in supporting
Representative Greg Smith in his
bid for reelection to the Oregon
House of Representatives.
Bryan and Lou Ann Wolfe
Hermiston
Umatilla County needs
Dorran’s leadership
I am strongly supporting the
candidacy and election of Dan
Dorran for Umatilla County com-
missioner Position #3. Dan is a
proven leader with a “can do” atti-
tude with regard to many of the
issues facing Umatilla County.
Umatilla County needs lead-
ership that promotes collabora-
tion and cooperation, which are
two strengths that Dan brings to
the table in any forum. This is crit-
ical in the governance of Umatilla
County in relationship to its char-
ter. Dan understands the impor-
tance of the county’s economic
development, whether it be in the
areas of water infrastructure, the
development of the Depot land,
transportation infrastructure, and
land use planning. His ability to
listen, research and apply prob-
lem-solving skills is extremely
needed in the position of Uma-
tilla County commissioner in these
unprecedented times. In work-
ing with Dan over the years I have
CORRECTIONS
Printed on
recycled
newsprint
VOLUME 114 • NUMBER 41
Andrew Cutler | Publisher • acutler@eomediagroup.com • 541-278-2673
Jade McDowell | News Editor • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536
Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531
Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
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SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters Policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for the
Hermiston Herald readers to express themselves on local,
state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer
letters should be kept to 250 words.
No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person.
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length and for content.
found Dan to be a person of integ-
rity, honesty and one that will
stand up for his beliefs.
My wife Anne and I have the
greatest respect for Dan Dor-
ran and his wife Terry. They are
grounded individuals that only
have the best interest of Uma-
tilla County. We encourage you to
vote for Dan Dorran for Umatilla
County commissioner #3.
Larry Givens
Milton-Freewater
Educate yourself on issues
It is not about a person, it is
about policy. It is not about a
party, it is about a platform. It is
time to be an informed voter!
Voting is a privilege, and with
it comes responsibility. Study your
candidates and the measures and
fi nd out what each person/measure
really represents.
If you are passionate about
individual rights, research. Is a
pro-life stance your main concern?
Find out which party/candidate
supports your beliefs. Are tax and
fi scal issues your focal point? Do
your homework and vote for the
position that most closely aligns
with your point of view.
Please, Oregon voters, do your
job and be an educated part of our
constitutionally guaranteed right to
participate in deciding the future
... of our town, county, state and
country.
Karen Carlson
Hermiston
Letters must be original and signed by the writer or writers.
Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include
a telephone number so they can be reached for questions.
Only the letter writer’s name and city of residence will be
published.
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