Don’t Forget to Vote Today, Election Day; Official Dropboxes Open Til 8PM

Today is the Final Day to Vote in Oregon

It is election day in Oregon. Today is the final day for Oregonians to vote for the leadership and laws of their state. With a new governor taking the helm and a variety of significant measures on the ballot, now is the time to participate. For those unfamiliar with, or needing a refresher on the process, the Oregon secretary of State’s office has provided some information:

  1. “Learn more about candidates, ballot measures and voting rules in the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.” A physical copy of the pamphlet should also have been provided alongside ballots.
  2. “Fill out your ballot. It isn’t a test. You can skip contents or fill them all out. It’s up to you. All you need is a pen. Just make sure to sign the back of the envelope.
  3. Send us your ballot through the U.S. Mail. It must be postmarked by Election Day. Or use an official ballot drop site by 8 P.M. on Election Day.
  4. Lost your ballot? No worries. Visit your county elections office and they’ll help you get a new one.”

Regardless of one’s beliefs and affiliations, voting is both a right and an important facet of our nation that should never succumb to apathy. Again, today is the final day to vote in Oregon with all ballots due in by 8 P.M.

Drop boxes and county elections offices will stop accepting hand-delivered ballots Tuesday at 8 p.m. Any mailed ballots must be postmarked by that time as well.  (Information from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office)

In the final hours of campaigning before voters have their final say, the 3 candidates for Oregon governor kept stumping for votes.

For the three former state lawmakers campaigning to be Oregon’s next governor, the final stretch before Election Day looked a lot like the rest of their campaigns:

Republican Christine Drazan highlighted public safety concerns.

Democrat Tina Kotek reminded voters of her record as a reproductive-rights champion.

Betsy Johnson, a former Democrat running as an unaffiliated candidate, promised to be the best of both parties.

The campaign talking points voters are seeing on television, hearing on the radio and getting in the mail aren’t the only signal the race isn’t over until today, Nov. 8.

The money also continues to roll in. Last week, Drazan reported another $1.25 million donation from the Republican Governors Association and Kotek received a $250,000 boost from the Democratic Governors Association. This is already the costliest governor’s race in state history, topping $60 million.

Unless there is a big surprise before the election today, on Tuesday, it’s probable that none of the candidates in the three-way race for Oregon governor will get a majority of the vote. Instead, votes may be split the vote in such a way that the “winner” of the race will have received more votes against them than for them.

 Oregon voters to weigh in on 4 state measures – Healthcare, slavery, an attendance policy and gun laws are up for vote in this year’s election. On Nov. 8, Oregonians will decide on four state measures.

Measure 111 is about health care for all Oregonians. If passed, it would mean amending the Oregon constitution by making it a state obligation to ensure every resident has access to cost-effective and affordable health care. It would be up to the Legislature to determine how to fulfill this obligation, however, as there is no funding set aside for it.

Measure 112 had almost unanimous support in the Legislature. Oregon is one of four states voting this November on state constitutional amendments prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude. If passed, Section 34 of the Oregon Bill of Rights would be amended to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude without exception.

Measure 113 would create an attendance policy for state lawmakers. It would disqualify lawmakers from holding office for the next term if they have 10 or more unexcused absences from the House or Senate.

Measure 114 would require permits to buy a firearm, require safety training and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds. The cost for a permit would be $65, plus an additional $50 to renew every five years.

This is the first general election in which Oregon ballots that are postmarked by Election Day count. The postmark rule could mean that the winner of a close race, such as the one for governor, is less likely to be determined the night of the election.

The Oregon Secretary of State will post the initial results around 8 p.m. on Tuesday and will continue to tally ballots until Nov. 16. The state’s deadline to certify the election results and ballots is Dec. 16.

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