The Oregon Student Association will team up with Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown to register students across the state to vote in the Jan. 26 special election.
Henderson expects the secretary of state to visit the University today.
This is the last day for Oregonians to register, making the event particularly crucial for OSA and Brown.
“We’re aiming to register over 10,000 students for this election,” OSA Executive Director Tamara Henderson said, adding that OSA has already succeeded in registering around 8,500 students. OSA, a non-profit organization committed to representing and protecting student interest, will have representatives tabling, visiting student housing and speaking in classes alongside Brown today.
Henderson said OSA’s close relationship with the secretary of state office has been a vital aid to its registration campaign.
“We have had an incredible amount of support from the office,” Henderson said. “The idea for the secretary to join us on campus was definitely a mutual decision.”
Brown, who assumed office Jan. 5 of last year, has been a strong advocate of the youth vote and plans to visit six other campuses, including Lane Community College, before the registration deadline.
“All eligible Oregonians need to make their voices heard on these issues,” Brown said in a Dec. 28 press release. “Let Oregon know where you stand.”
The Jan. 26 special election is made up of two economically controversial issues: Measures 66 and 67. Measure 66 aims to increase state taxes on an estimated 28,000 top income earners, while Measure 67 will increase the corporate minimum tax from $10 to $150. The measures are expected to raise $733 million to balance the 2009-11 state budget and increase funding to education, health care and public safety.
Henderson urged students to get involved with OSA’s campaign efforts in the future, if not now.
“The student’s role is important in every election,” Henderson said. “Our voice needs to be heard and seen in order to influence major legislative issues.”
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