If you’re living in Oregon and you’re not registered to vote by 5PM today, you’re a dummy. Yeah, I said it. Get out there and register! Here’s the Oregon Secretary of State page that has all the info and links you need.
Starsky says “G’wan… do it.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra70O9nps6E&hl=en&fs=1]
I know, living in Oregon, it may feel like voting is a forgone conclusion – despite the traditional media thinking Oregon is a “battleground state” or “leaning Democratic” (ha, ha!) it’s almost a lock that Oregon will go for Sen. Obama. Yes, it’s important to vote for President… but there’s other, downticket races that are much closer than the Presidential race. I would urge my friends to vote Jeff Merkley, Democrat, against the Bush rubber-stamp incumbent Gordon Smith. Merkley spoke out against the $700 billion bailout package (Gordon Smith voted for it; Oregon’s other US Senator, Ron Wyden, voted against), and Merkley also was strongly opposed to the FISA rewrite that gave the telecom companies retroactive immunity and gave Bush cover to continue his up-until-then-illegal surveillance of American citizens on American soil.
My friends living in Darlene Hooley’s old district (OR-05, map of the district found here) would be well-advised to vote for Kurt Schrader against Republican Mike Erickson. Schrader is a veterinarian and state senator from Canby. He seems like a regular joe and he says his priorities are bringing the troops home from Iraq (but apparently, not Afghanistan) and health care for all Americans.
Having larger majorities in Senate and the House will help keep Barack Obama on the progressive side of the political spectrum and will ensure that legislation is passed that will help all Americans – not just the super-rich.
Electing more Democrats to the local legislature will position Oregon nicely for the upcoming census – which means it’s redistricting time. Again, an important goal is making sure that district lines are drawn fairly and evenly, and the chances of that are better with more Democrats in the state house. It’s also better, I should add, when more voters and citizens participate in the process and keep up pressure on our representatives. Don’t just vote once every four years and consider your duty done; get involved year-round.