Tonight was a success, in spite of technical issues with the internet in Lincoln City which caused us to move to the Newport campus at the last minute. Our deepest thanks to Jean Cowan for taking the lead while Georgia is healing at home. Chloe Acosta was inspirational and highly informational! Handouts were provided in-person, but we want to make sure that these links reach as many of our friends as possible.
We have all felt the effects of the onslaught of mis and disinformation online and in the news. As we draw close to election day, we want accurate, factual information. Chloe, of the Youth Council of the League of Women Voters, has compiled her presented tools for us to add to our personal toolboxes.
Nonpartisan Election Information Sites
Vote411, nonpartisan election local, state, and national election information site from the League of Women Voters
Project Vote Smart, a citizen's organization providing free, accurate, and unbiased information for electoral decision-making
Fact-Check Sites
Politifact, a Pulitzer Prize winning fact-checking website run by editors and reporters from the Tampa Bay Times
FactCheck, a project of the nonpartisan Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania that fact-checks statements of major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases
OpenSecrets, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy
Fact Checker (Washington Post), a website and accompanying column in the Sunday print edition of The Washington Post that fact-checks statements by local, national, and international political figures
Snopes, an internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation
Google Fact Check, search tool to fact-check topics or people:
Becoming a Better Information Consumer
News Literacy Project, offers tools and education:
Sign up for RumorGuard
Checkology: e-learning platform to learn how to identify credible information, seek out reliable sources, and know what to trust, what to dismiss, and what to debunk.
Sign up for free newsletter: Get Smart About News
Balanced news from the left, right, and center
Misinformation Watch: How to Spot Misinformation, Fact-Check of Recent News
Election Disinformation Tipline: Common Cause Education Fund
AI and Election Integrity
Jean Cowan brought up a few of our local measures that are deserving of further thought. As promised, we are including the statement of the League position on one of those measures here for your consideration.
Measure 117 is a benefit to ALL Oregon voters.
The League of Women Voters of Oregon represents members in communities throughout our state.
For over 100 years, we in the League have volunteered to empower voters, protect the ballot and
defend democracy.
We are a fiercely-nonpartisan organization in that we never support or oppose candidates or parties. Yet, we may advocate for topics we judge will serve all voters. We believe that Measure 117, incorporating Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) into our elections, is one of those issues.
Our decision to support any matter is taken only after studying the subject from all perspectives and
in-depth (often 2 years). In this case, following our state studies on electoral systems, we concluded
that Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) results in the best indication of voters’ preferences. Back-up choices employed by RCV eliminate the pressure to vote for a less-favored candidate. Of all the possible improvements to our current election system, Ranked Choice Voting is the preferred method.
Measure 117 offers the same benefits to local Oregon cities and counties, as it includes a local
election reform option. We join Leagues in other states and communities around the nation who
support, or are already experiencing Ranked Choice Voting advantages. Advantages such as more
voter choice, majority winners, eliminating the spoiler effect within our current election method, and
encouraging more civility with less mud-slinging.
In support of robust voter education, we encourage a deeper understanding of Measure 117, and the improvements it offers. We stand ready to participate in public education and teaching voters about the power of a back-up vote with Ranked Choice Voting.
The League of Women Voters of Oregon joins leaders from our local leagues in supporting this
measure:
Deschutes County
Lincoln County
Linn County Unit
Marion & Polk Counties
Portland
Rogue Valley
Join us in Voting YES on Measure 117.
There are strong reasons to support Ranked Choice Voting through
Measure 117. Chief among them is its effect on lessening polarization.
Extreme polarization is concerning in America, even in Oregon.
With the current election system, too often candidates are rewarded for
bad behavior, amplifying divisiveness, partisan rancor, and rigid
ideologies. This short-circuits productive discussion and promotes “us
versus them” attitudes. The goal becomes winning at all costs – not
compromising for the good of the people.
With Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), campaigns tend to be more civil,
since it benefits candidates to seek support beyond their base. A
candidate must not only win a voter’s first choice, but also appeal to
those who would rank them 2nd or 3rd. With RCV, candidates must court
all voters. They must broaden their positions, speak about policy, and
curb highly partisan rhetoric.
There’s more. Advantages of Ranked Choice Voting clearly benefit all
voters.
● Majority rule is a fundamental principle of a democratic republic.
Measure 117 ensures that winning candidates capture broad,
majority support.
● Tested and proven, RCV respects one person, one vote. It simply
uses one ballot choice as the active vote at any one time.
● The League believes in ‘sincere’ voting without needing to be
‘strategic.’ Voters can express true preferences, knowing further
choices never hurt their favorite candidate. They need not
strategize as to how their ballot could protect or hurt their favorite
choices.
Are you registered to vote?
Yes
No
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