Author, Jean Cowan
It’s that time again – election season! The Primary Election will be May 17, but there is lots of voter education, one of the league’s most important roles, to be provided before then. Jean Cowan, with the assistance of Ruth Kistler and Robin Wedertz, will manage our Voter Service committee. The filing deadline is March 8, so we will not have a full list of candidates until after that date. In the meantime, Jean is working with Peggy Bengry, Voter Service LWVOR and other local league chairs to develop a list of questions to be asked of all candidates. Their answers will be publicized in VOTE411 (the League’s online voters’ guide) and the print version of the LWVOR Voters Guide.
These publications differ from the State of Oregon Voters Pamphlet, which the state mails directly to all registered voters. The Voters Pamphlet will contain the statement prepared and purchased by the candidate, along with purchased arguments on ballot measure issues (pro and con). In the LWVOR Voters’ Guide and VOTE 411, the candidates are asked to respond to our specific questions, which have been carefully prepared to provide more substantial information about each candidate’s experience and philosophy. Moreover, there is no charge to candidates to be included in the League’s Voters’ Guide or Vote411.
The task of contacting the candidates and con ducting interviews will fall to local league members. Anyone interested in helping with this task should contact Jean via email at jean@jeancowan.com The interviews for offices that represent multiple counties will be coordinated with other local league members. Robin and Ruth will assist with the necessary data entry, while Jean focuses on candidate forums.
We will do our best to host forums for those seeking county and city offices, but it is unknown at this time whether the format will live or virtual. Stay tuned!
Some of the open seats will be heavily contested and many hopeful office holders have already filed. Narrowing the field of viable candidates who can be accommodated in the league sponsored debates/forums will be a challenge, especially those hoping to become our next Governor. LWVOR will undertake that task for statewide offices.