Elections

Oregon Secretary of State Wants To Automatically Register Voters

Virginia Alvino — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:17:33 +0000

SALEM, Ore. - State elections officials in Oregon would use DMV data to automatically register people to vote under a plan presented in Salem Wednesday. Supporters of the idea say it could give Oregon one of the broadest voter registration pools in the country.

In 2012, about 25 percent of those eligible to vote in Oregon did not register. That’s despite the fact that people can register at the DMV, online, or through the mail.

Public Safety Levy Will Be On May Ballot In Lane County

Rachael McDonald — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:35:08 +0000

Lane County residents will vote this May on a property tax measure to fund jail beds. The Board of Commissioners Tuesday decided to put a five year public safety levy on the ballot. It was a 4 to 1 vote.

Philosophical Control Of Washington State Senate Hangs In Balance

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:40:04 +0000

Two southwest Washington legislative races are headed for hand recounts. They are that close. One of them could hand control of the Washington state Senate to a coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats.

Campaigns Know If You’ve Voted -- And That’s Not All

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:05:05 +0000

In this era of mail-in balloting, political campaigns have become a bit like Santa Claus: he may know if you’ve been bad or good, but they know whether you’ve voted yet or not - and who you’re likely to support.

Once Brash Washington Home Builders Now Behind The Scenes

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:08:26 +0000

The airwaves in Washington are chock-a-block with campaign ads. But one group’s missing from the fray despite its reputation for not pulling any punches. We’re talking about Washington home builders.

Wash. Governor Candidates Vow No New Taxes -- With Caveats

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:28:30 +0000

Ballots are about to go out in Washington. In the race for governor, both candidates are pledging to veto tax hikes. But Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee also leave themselves some wiggle room.

Voter Registration Increase Lags Last Presidential Election

Chris Lehman — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:48:17 +0000

Registering to vote is easier than ever. But Northwest residents don’t appear as eager to vote as they were during the last presidential election. As the deadline to register draws near, state figures show a smaller uptick in voter registration than in 2008.

7 Years Of Top-Two Primary Litigation In Wash. Comes To An End

Max Bartlett — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:30:28 +0000

It took seven years and hundreds of court filings. Now the legal fight over Washington’s top-two primary is over. The U.S. Supreme Court Monday declined to hear an appeal brought by the state’s Democratic and Libertarian parties. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

ACLU Lawsuit: Yakima At-Large City Council Elections Dilute Latino Vote

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:40:06 +0000

The ACLU of Washington says at-large city council elections in the city of Yakima dilute the Latino vote and violate the federal Voting Rights Act. The ACLU filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city.

McKenna Says Rep. Todd Akin's Credibility "Irretrievably Damaged"

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:24:26 +0000

"Irretrievably damaged." That's how Washington Republican candidate for governor Rob McKenna describes U.S. Senate candidate and current Congressman Todd Akin. The Missouri Republican is engulfed in a firestorm of criticism after comments he made over the weekend regarding pregnancies resulting from rape.