In Oregon, we have vote-by-mail. That means, instead of going to the polls, we go to drop boxes to deliver our ballots. We’ve just changed the type of lines we wait in – in addition to increasing voter turnout!
Oh goodness! I did not get this out in time… but, I wanted to post anyway. This year, let’s do a little exercise together. Below, you’ll find a link to a spreadsheet I created to map the organizations I follow and thier respective endorsements. In this blog post, you’ll find who and what I’m voting for and why. I won’t be addressing some things like the judges up for election, but I hope to hit the important highlights.
President
I voted for Barack Obama.
Senator
Oregon has no open senate seats this election.
House Representative
I voted for Earl Blumenauer.
Secretary of State
I voted for Kate Brown.
State Treasurer
I voted for Ted Wheeler.
State Attorney General
I voted for Ellen Rosenblum.
State Senator
I voted for Chip Shields.
State Representative
I voted for Tina Kotek.
Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries
I voted for Brad Avakian.
City Mayor
I voted for Jefferson Smith.
Council Seat
I voted for Amanda Fritz.
The Measures
77 – Amends Constitution: Governor may declare “catastrophic disaster” (defined); requires legislation session; authorizes suspending specified constitutional spending restrictions
I voted no because I don’t believe in unnecessary legislation. I have not seen persuasive arguments for creating a law for something the governor can and does do anyway.
78 – Amends Constitution: Changes constitutional language describing governmental system of separation of powers; makes grammatical and spelling changes.
I believe in good grammar, and as such voted yes on this measure.
79 – Amends Constitution: Prohibits real estate transfer taxes, fees, and other assessments except those operative on December 31, 2009.
Why December 2009, you might wonder? Because the citizens of Oregon already passed the document/real estate transfer fee. Much of this funding (about $15 per sale of a house) goes to support affordable housing. The Community Alliance of Tenants has endorsed a “No” vote. I am voting No on this measure.
80 – Allows personal marijuana help cultivation/use without license; commission to regulate commercial marijuana cultivation/sale.
While I have some questions about how the regulation will pan out, such as what sort of repercussions there are for people if they can’t prove where they got there product, I am voting yes for this measure. Oregon is known as a green state for many. It’s green in many diverse ways. In keeping in line with unnecessary legislation, making legal what many do only makes sense. Regulation means: JOBS. So, I am voting yes on measure 80 to make legal an Oregon pastime and create legal jobs.
81 – Prohibits commercial non-tribal fishing with gillnets in Oregon “inland waters,” allows use of seine nets
I voted no, because this measure doesn’t include all-areas. So, some states would still be allowed to use nets, unfairly discriminating against Oregon fishermen. For this to be a sustainable measure for fish, it’d have to be a multi-stakeholder measure — more than one state making strides.
82 – Amends Constitution: Authorizes establishment of privately-owned casinos; mandates percentage of revenues payable to dedicated state fund & 83 – Authorizes privately-owned Wood Village casino; mandates percentage of revenues payable to dedicated state fund
I voted no on both these measures.
- I believe we should minimize access to gambling.
- I’m okay with Native Americans having the only access to allow gambling. We did entire nations of people a huge disservice, and I think it’s okay that we take penance for our sins by allowing them income for our vanities.
- When destinations are created, you create more traffic, trash, and other unstainable measures.
84 – Phases out existing inheritance taxes on large estates, and all taxes on intra-family property transfers
I voted no. We need income for services.
And, here’s to hoping for a more timely note next year!
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