This is an election of big dimensions: a 376-page state voters’ pamphlet. Twenty-six state ballot measures. Dozens of candidates running for state and federal offices. And record levels of political dollars buying hundreds of television ads and radio spots, with each ad trying to draw attention to a single issue.
It might seem overwhelming, especially to students who are already struggling just to keep up with school.
But make no mistake, the stakes are high in this election, the first exclusively vote-by-mail election in the nation.
On Nov. 7, voters will choose the next president of the United States, a decision that will affect the flavor of legislation for at least the next four years. Furthermore, the next president will likely appoint between one and four justices to the Supreme Court, which could make landmark decisions in the immediate future about abortion, gay rights and campaign finance.
Polls show presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush are neck-in-neck in Oregon and throughout the nation. This is an election that will likely be a dead heat until Nov. 7.
Within Oregon, legislative seats and the offices of the secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general are up for grabs. Whoever voters put into these positions will have a direct effect on the state’s lawmaking, financing and law enforcement.
The product of Oregon’s initiative system, 26 ballot measures are now before voters, and several of them would significantly change life in Oregon.
Three tax reform measures — Measures 8, 91 and 93 — would affect all state-funded programs, including state universities.
Measure 9, sponsored by the Oregon Citizens Alliance, would ban schools from sanctioning or encouraging homosexuality. Though this measure wouldn’t directly affect the University, it would significantly change the way homosexuality is addressed in K-12 schools and community colleges, including Lane Community College.
Another measure should pique the interest of those who feel politicians are too beholden to campaign contributors: Measure 6 would offer public funding to candidates who agree to limit the private contributions they accept.
Measure 94 would repeal mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes, an aspect of Oregon law enforcement voters put in place in 1994 with Measure 11.
In Eugene, a levy measure would give the city more than $25 million to build a new police station and buy land for a new fire facility. A similar but more expensive levy was shot down by voters last May, but supporters of the new levy hope the smaller price tag will seem like a fair price to get the police department out of its cramped City Hall headquarters.
This voters guide contains more information about these and other issues on the ballot. Though this guide is intended to help students make sense of the issues and candidates this election year, the Emerald recommends readers also peruse the state voters’ pamphlet.