Oregon Student Voter Guide Fall 2014

8/11/2019 Oregon Student Voter Guide Fall 2014

1/16

OREGONSTUDENT

VOTER GUIDE

FALL 2014

BALLOTS DUEBYNOV. 4th


2/16

TOP

5ITS MY RIGHTVoting is an important right that I have a duty to exercise.I have the right and responsibility to select government

leaders and guide government policy. The health of ourdemocracy relies on my participation.

Recent history has shown that important elections can bedecided by a handful of votes. If I make a plan to vote I canhelp prevent elections from being left to chance.

Politicians know who votes each election, and they aremore likely to support policies that are popular amonggroups with the highest voter turnout. For college studentsto have signicant political inuence over tuition prices and

nancial aid I must turn out to vote.

IM PART OF A KEY GROUP OF VOTERS IN

EVERY ELECTIONWith over 300,000 college students eligible to vote inOregon, my vote can make a huge difference whenbanded together with other college students. Oregons lastgovernors race was decided by only 22,000 votes.

I SHAPE THE POLICIES THAT AFFECT MYFUTURE.

The policies I vote for today will have a huge inuenceon my life after college. Do I really want to leave thosedecisions up to someone else?

MY VOTE MATTERS

POLITICIANS WONT ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS

WITHOUT MY VOTE

REASONS I

SHOULD VOTE


@8PM


3/16

WHAT TO DO WHEN I

RECEIVE MY BALLOT

1 FILL OUT MY BALLOTOpen your ballot and ll it out completely. Follow theenclosed instructions. If you need more information lookthrough this student voter guide or use the voters pamphletyou received in the mail. An online version of the ofcialvoters pamphlet is available at www.oregonvotes.govunder the My Ballot section.

2 RETURN MY BALLOTPlace your completed ballot in the secrecy envelope. Placeyour secrecy envelope in the return envelope.Seal it. Sign it. Return it.

Return options:

Drop it in a ballot drop box on campus Stamp it and mail it back Find an ballot drop box near campus:

www.orstudents.org/dropbox

Your ballot will arrive by mail. Ballots are sent out two tothree weeks before the election. Check your mailboxfrequently for your ballot.

I HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT MY BALLOT

If you have a questions or concerns about your ballot go to

www.oregonvotes.govor call the toll-free voter informationline at 1-866-673-8683.

Voter information line representatives can provide servicesin both English and Spanish. TTY services for the hearingimpaired are also available at 1-800-735-2900.

Find a ballot drop box near campus:www.orstudents.org/dropbox


4/16

FAQs

WHERE DO I VOTE?

In Oregon you vote by mail. This means you, as a registeredvoter, will receive a ballot at your home, in your mailbox,two to three weeks before an election. Once completed,mail or drop off your ballot. Find a ballot drop box near your

campus at www.orstudents.org/dropbox

WHAT IF I DONT RECEIVE A BALLOT?

If you are registered voter and have not received your ballotby October 24th, call your county elections ofce. You canalso check the status of your ballot at www.oregonvotes.gov

under the My Vote section.

BALLOTS DUEBYNOV. 4th @8PM

DOES MY VOTE REALLY MATTER?

Yes! The last Oregon governors race in 2010 came downto 22,000 votes out of 1.4 million. A narrow 1.58% margin of

victory. Important elections can be decided by a handful ofvotes.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE MEASURES MEAN?

Keep reading this guide. We will clear it up. You have achance to decide laws in Oregon with your vote.


5/16

ELECTION ISSUES

EDUCATION

The people that make decisions abouthow much you will pay for college areelected by you. The people you electdetermine how much money is availablefor Pell Grants and set the interest rateson your students loans. They also decide how much moneyyour college gets from the state, which impacts your tuition.

EMPLOYMENT

Worried about getting a job after collegeor earning enough money to get by? The

people you elect can create policies thateffect unemployment rates, job growth,job quality, and job security.

HEALTHCARE

Access to healthcare is an important issuefor all students. The people you elect cancreate laws to ensure high-quality healthcare is more affordable and accessible.

ENVIRONMENT

The people you elect can make policiesaddressing air and water quality,natural resource and wildlife protection,sustainable energy sources, ecosystemmanagement, and climate change.

Learn More:

www.orstudents.org/vote


6/16

WHOS ON MY BALLOT?

UNITED STATES SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

You will elect the following in the Fall 2014 General Electionon Tuesday, November 4th:

The primary function of both the U.S. Senate and the U.S.House of Representatives is to make laws for the whole

U.S. The U.S. Senate must approve all of the Presidentsgovernmental appointments, including the Secretary ofEducation, who is responsible for overseeing federal nancialaid and grant programs. The House has the power to initiaterevenue bills, which affects funding for post-secondaryeducation. U.S. senators and representatives take votes onfunding for federal nancial aid, including Pell Grants,andon setting the interest rates of federalstudent loans.

OREGON GOVERNOR

The governor is responsible for implementing state laws andoverseeing the operation of the state executive branchand its agencies. They develop and submit a budget thatincludes recommended funding levels for public community

colleges and universities, as well as for fnancial aidprograms such as the Oregon Opportunity Grant.

OREGON SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

The Oregon Senate and the Oregon House ofRepresentatives make funding and policy decisionsaffecting the whole state. State senators and representatives

take votes on funding levels for public community collegesand universities. State laws can also affect textbook prices,loans to campuses for new construction, and tuition prices.

Judicial races and local seats will be on your ballot too. Ask yourstudent government if you need more information.


@8PM


7/16

WHATS ON MY BALLOT?

Cast your vote for ballot measures this fall by Tuesday,November 4th. This is your chance to create laws with your

vote.

YES or NO?

MEASURE 86: Funding for Post-Secondary Education MEASURE 87:Employment of State Judges MEASURE 88: Driver Cards MEASURE 89: Equal Rights for Women MEASURE 90: Top Two Elections System MEASURE 91:Legalized Marijuana MEASURE 92: Mandatory Labeling of GMOs

In the following pages we review each ballot measure indetail and explain what the results of a yes or no voteon each measure would be.

Explanation of the Student Impact Statements:In thesestatements students describe the impact of the ballotmeasure on students. The most common impact is nancialimpact on state funds, because we all attend public schoolsthat get funding from the government which also funds K-12education, public safety, and health and human services.

Find a ballot drop box near campus:

www.orstudents.org/dropbox

BALLOT MEASURES

LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH BALLOT MEASURE

ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES


8/16

This ballot measure amends Oregons Constitution. Themeasure would create a fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary education and authorize the nancing of thisfund via debt.

Amends state constitution and requires legislature toestablish fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondaryeducation and career training. Authorizes the state to incurdebt to nance the fund.

RESULT OF A YES VOTE

The measure would diversify the way Oregon can fundcollege nancial aid. This ballot measure has no nancialeffect on state or local government expenses. This measure

does not require money be put into the fund it creates.

STUDENT IMPACT

Rejects authorization for state to extend credit and incurdebt to create dedicated fund for Oregon students pursuingpost-secondary education and career training.

RESULT OF A NO VOTE

MEASURE 86Funding for Post-Secondary Education

WHATS ON MY BALLOT


@8PM


9/16

WHATS ON MY BALLOT

MEASURE87Employment of State Judges

This ballot measure amends Oregons Constitution. Allowsstate court judges to be employed for the purpose ofteaching at public universities and to receive compensationfor performing military service in the Oregon National Guard.


Amends state constitution to permit state judges to beemployed by Oregon National Guard for military servicepurposes and state public universities and colleges forteaching purposes.

RESULT OF A NO VOTE

Keeps existing constitutional restrictions on employment ofOregon state court judges by the Oregon National Guardand by the state public university system.

This measure could result in state court judges beingemployed as faculty members at public colleges. Thisballot measure has no nancial effect on state or local

government expenses.

STUDENT IMPACT

Learn More: www.orstudents.org/vote


10/16

MEASURE 88Driver Cards

Makes four-year driver cards available to Oregon residentswithout requiring proof of legal presence in the UnitedStates. The card may not be used as identication for airtravel, to enter a federal building, to register to vote, or toobtain any government benet requiring proof of citizenship

or lawful presence in United States. The card does notconvey immigration status.

Directs Department of Transportation to issue driver cardsto Oregon residents meeting specied eligibility, without

requiring proof of legal presence in United States.


Rejects law directing Department of Transportation to issue

driver cards to eligible Oregon residents without requiringproof of legal presence in United States.

RESULT OF A NO VOTE

STUDENT IMPACT

The revenue from distributing these cards is expected tobe enough to offset the initial and long term cost to theDepartment of Transportation. Any revenue that is gainedbeyond the costs will be deposited into the State HighwayFund.

WHATS ON MY BALLOT


@8PM


11/16

MEASURE89Equal Rights for Women

This ballot measure amends Oregons Constitution. Themeasure would add a new section to the Constitution whichguarantees that the State or its political subdivisions shall notdeny or abridge equality of rights on account of sex.

Amends state constitution and prohibits the State and anypolitical subdivision from denying or abridging equality of

rights under the law on account of sex.


Keeps current prohibition on laws granting or denying

privileges or immunities on account of sex, unless justied byspecic biological differences between men and women.

RESULT OF A NO VOTE

STUDENT IMPACT

This ballot measure has no nancial effect on state or local

government expenses.

Find a ballot drop box near campus:www.orstudents.org/vote/dropbox

WHATS ON MY BALLOT


12/16

MEASURE90Top Two Elections System

Changes the general election nomination process. Wouldcreate a top-two system of general election voting wherethe primary ballot allows voters to choose one candidatefrom all candidates, regardless of political party. Only thetop two candidates, regardless of political party, would thenbe voted upon in the general election.

Retains current general election nomination processes,

including party primaries for major parties. Continues the useof separate primary ballots. Multiple candidates can appearon general election ballot.

RESULT OF A NO VOTE

Estimated start-up cost of $362,640 to modify computer

systems. The most likely funding source would be revenuesfrom the General Fund. The estimated mix of costs andsavings makes the nancial impact to counties uncertain.The reasoning for this being that the primary ballot wouldpotentially have more candidates on it than before, but thegeneral election would only feature two candidates perrace so ballots would be shorter.

STUDENT IMPACT

Replaces general election nomination processes for mostpartisan ofces. All candidates would be listed on one single

primary ballot. Following the primary the top two candidatesadvance to general election ballot.


WHATS ON MY BALLOT


@8PM


13/16

MEASURE91Legalized Marijuana Initiative

Allows possession, manufacture and sale of marijuana toand by those over 21 years old. Would legalize recreationalmarijuana use for people ages 21 and older, allowing thoseover 21 years old to possess up to eight ounces of driedmarijuana and up to four plants. Additionally, the measurewould task the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with

regulating sales of the drug. Marijuana would be subject tostate licensing, regulation, taxation.


Allows possession of marijuana for those over 21 years old.Authorizes in-state manufacture, processing, and sale of

marijuana by and to people 21 years and older. Createslicensing, regulation, taxation of marijuana by the state.Retains current medical marijuana laws.

RESULT OF A NO VOTE

Retains laws classifying marijuana as a controlled substance.

Prohibits most sale, possession, and manufacture ofmarijuana. Retains current medical marijuana laws.

Generated revenues are expected to be sufcient to offset

costs for all implementation processes. Remaining revenueis to be distributed to K-12 school funding, law enforcement,and alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs.

STUDENT IMPACT

Learn More: www.orstudents.org/vote

WHATS ON MY BALLOT


14/16

MEASURE92Mandatory Labeling of GMOs Initiative

WHATS ON YOUR BALLOT

Would mandate that food manufacturers and retailerslabel foods that were produced with or contain geneticallymodied organisms. Permits the state or injured citizen tosue a manufacturer or retailer for knowing or intentionalviolation. Denes genetically engineered food as food

produced from organisms with genetic material changedthrough in vitro nucleic acid techniques and certain cell-fusing techniques; exempts traditional plant-breedingtechniques like hybridization. Does not apply to animal feedor food served in restaurants.

RESULT OF A YES VOTERequires the labeling of raw packaged foods producedentirely or partially by genetic engineering, effectiveJanuary 2016. Applies to food retailers, suppliers,manufactures.

RESULT OF A NO VOTERetains existing law, which does not require geneticallyengineered food to be labeled as such.

STUDENT IMPACT

BALLOTS DUEBYNOV. 4

th

@8PM

The regulatory component of the measure is citizenenforced. The ballot measure has no nancial effect onstate or local government expenses.


15/16

GET INVOLVED WITH THE

Students just like you lead this organization; ghting foraffordable & accessible higher education for all Oregonians.Are you inspired to make change for students? The Oregon

Student Association has a volunteer opportunity for you.

Help on a student vote campaign Advocate for student on campus or at the State Capitol Come to the Higher Education Rally on Feb. 12th in Salem Apply for an internship and gain college credit

LEARN MORE: ORSTUDENTS.ORG

PLEDGE TO VOTE!I pledge to vote and turn in my ballot byTuesday, November 4th at 8pm.

I WANT TO GET INVOLVED!

Name: _____________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________

Student of Color

LGBTQ Student

Student Veteran

Student Parent

Student with Disabilities

Low-income Student

I identify as:Check all that apply. Information is voluntary.


16/16

EVERYONE IS

VOTING BY

NOV. 4TH

Oregon Student Voter Guide Fall 2014

Documents

Transcript of Oregon Student Voter Guide Fall 2014