Students have until 8 p.m. tonight to cast their vote on Ballot Measure 28, an initiative that will cause income taxes to increase if it passes or tuition to increase if it fails.
ASUO Legislative Affairs Director Stefan Myers said he’s pleased with student involvement so far.
“Everyone’s been really responsive to this,” Myers said. “Students have gotten involved and really understand the impact of this.”
ASUO officials like Myers have been working since mid-November to increase student turnout. They’ve circulated a pledge that 950 students have signed, promising to cast their ballot by Jan. 28.
Campus vote efforts are especially important for University lobbyists, who depend on the 20,000-plus undergraduates to give the University clout when political issues come up in Salem. The ASUO registered more than 3,171 students for the general election in November and has continued to register more since that time.
Lane County Elections official Annette Newingham said as of Sunday, more than 52 percent of the county’s 182,000 registered voters had returned their ballot. That number is already higher than the last special election, which was held in September and drew only 44.3 percent of registered voters.
Voters can return their ballot to one of six drop box locations in Eugene, or take it to the elections office at 135 E. Sixth Ave. A full list of drop sites can be found at http://www.co.lane.or.us/ Elections/DropOff.htm or by calling 682-4234. Newingham said the office has picked up 1,300 ballots from the ASUO drop box so far, and she added that students seem to be taking a greater interest in this election.
ASUO is planning an election day celebration in the EMU Amphitheater to cap off their efforts. Also, College Democrats are running a non-partisan shuttle from campus to the elections office for students who need to change their registration status or address.
“Our main thing is just getting out the student vote,” College Democrats co-Chairman Eric Bailey said. “Of course, we’re betting on most students voting yes — if it doesn’t pass, tuition will increase to help cover $6.5 million in more cuts from the University’s budget.”
Measure 28 is a three-year, $724-millon income tax increase the Oregon Legislature referred to voters after failing to balance the state’s budget after five special sessions. If it passes, an average Oregonian will pay an additional $114 in taxes per year. If it fails, many state services would be slashed and University students would pay a $10 surcharge for every credit taken during winter and spring terms, which would slap most students with about $300 in additional tuition and raise roughly $4.1 million.

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