Voters' Guide Cover Letter to the Voters General Information Voter Registration Information
Voters' Pamphlet
Random Alphabet
Español
Getting a Replacement Ballot
Voter Information
Vote-by-Mail
Voters with Disabilities
Voters' Pamphlet
Your official 2004 General Election Voters' Pamphlet is divided into two separate
volumes. Volume 1 contains information on the eight statewide ballot measures,
as well as information on registering to vote.
Volume 2 contains a list of state candidates, statements submitted by candidates and political parties, and information about voting your ballot. It also includes your county Voters' Pamphlet if your county chooses to produce a Voters' Pamphlet in combination with the state. Volume 2 will be delivered October 13-15.
For each of the eight statewide ballot measures in volume 1 of your Voters' Pamphlet you will find the following information:
(1) the ballot title;
(2) the estimate of financial impact;
(3) the complete text of the proposed measure;
(4) an impartial statement explaining the measure (explanatory statement); and
(5) any arguments filed by proponents and opponents of the measure.
The ballot title is generally drafted by the Attorney General's office. It is then distributed to a list of interested parties for public comment. After review of any comments submitted, the ballot title is certified by the Attorney General's office. The certified ballot title can be appealed and may be changed by the Oregon Supreme Court.
The estimate of financial impact for each measure is prepared by a committee of state officials including the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Administrative Services and the Director of the Department of Revenue. The committee estimates only the direct impact on state and local governments, based on information presented to the committee.
The explanatory statement is an impartial statement explaining the measure. Each measure's explanatory statement is written by a committee of five members, including two proponents of the measure, two opponents of the measure and a fifth member appointed by the first four committee members, or, if they fail to agree on a fifth member, appointed by the Secretary of State. Explanatory statements can be appealed and may be changed by the Oregon Supreme Court.
Citizens or organizations may file arguments in favor of or in opposition to measures by purchasing space for $500 or by submitting a petition signed by 1,000 voters. Arguments in favor of a measure appear first, followed by arguments in opposition to the measure, and are printed in the order in which they are filed with the Secretary of State's office.
In volume 2, partisan candidates appear before nonpartisan candidates. All space is purchased; statements and photographs are submitted by the candidates or their designated agents. The information required by law—pertaining to occupation, occupational background, educational background, and prior governmental experience—has been certified by each candidate.
Volume 2 also includes other voting aids, such as a complete listing of state
candidates, drop site locations, and ballot instructions.
Measure arguments and candidate statements are printed as submitted by the author. The state does not correct punctuation, grammar, syntax errors or inaccurate information. The only changes made are attempts to correct spelling errors if the word as originally submitted is not in the dictionary.
The voters' pamphlet has been compiled by the Secretary of State since 1903,
when Oregon became one of the first states to provide for the printing and
distribution of such a publication. One copy of the voters' pamphlet is mailed
to every household in the state. Additional copies are available at the State
Capitol, local post offices, courthouses and all county elections offices.
Random Alphabet
While the candidates' statements for candidates running for the same office
appear in alphabetical order by their last name in this voters' pamphlet,
you will notice that they appear in a different order on your ballot.
Pursuant to ORS 254.155, the Secretary of State is required to complete a random order of the letters of the alphabet to determine the order in which the names of candidates appear on the ballot.
The alphabet for the 2004 General Election is:
E, D, O, L, K, H, I, J, A, T, C, F, M, V, W, X, G, R, Z, N, S, P, B, U, Y,
Q
Español
Una versión en español de algunas partes de la Guía del
Elector está a su disposición en el portal del Internet cuya
dirección aparece arriba. Conscientes de que este material en línea
podría no llegar adecuadamente a todos los electores que necesitan
este servicio, se invita a toda persona a imprimir la versión en línea
y circularla a aquellos electores que no tengan acceso a una computadora.
Getting a Replacement Ballot
If your ballot is lost, destroyed, damaged or you make a mistake in marking
your ballot, you may call your county elections office and request a replacement
ballot. One will be mailed to you as long as you request it by October 28.
After that, you may pick it up at the elections office. If you have already
mailed your original ballot before you realize you made a mistake, you have
cast your vote and will not be eligible for a replacement ballot.
Your voted ballot must be returned to your county elections office by election
day, Tuesday, November 2, 2004.
Postmarks do not count!
County elections offices are open on election day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Voter Information
For questions about voter registration, ballot delivery and return, marking
the ballot, requesting a replacement ballot, absentee ballots, signature requirements,
the voters' pamphlet, when and where to vote, and other questions about elections
and voting, call the toll-free voter information line at 1-866-ORE-VOTES (1-866-673-8683).
Voter information line representatives can provide services in both English
and Spanish. TTY services for the hearing impaired are also available at
1-866-350-0596.
Vote-by-Mail
What is Vote-by-Mail?
Vote-by-mail is a method of conducting elections. Instead of using traditional
polling places where voters go to cast ballots on election day, a ballot is
automatically mailed to each registered voter. The ballot is then voted and
returned to the county elections official to be counted.
As a voter, what do I have to do?
Your ballot packet will automatically be mailed to you between October 15
and October 19, 2004. Inside the packet you will find the ballot, a secrecy
envelope and a return envelope. Once you vote the ballot, place it in the
secrecy envelope and seal it in the pre-addressed return envelope. Be sure
you sign the return envelope on the appropriate line. After that just return
the ballot either by mail or at a designated drop site.
What if I am uncomfortable voting my ballot at home?
Privacy booths are available for you to cast your ballot. There are privacy
booths at your county elections office and there may be others at drop site
locations elsewhere in your county. For further information, call your county
elections official.
What if my ballot doesn't come?
If you are registered to vote and have not received your ballot within a week
after they are mailed, call your county elections office. They will check
that your voter registration is current. If it is, they will mail you a replacement
ballot.
What if I have moved and have not updated my registration?
If you were registered to vote by October 12 but now have a different address,
call your county elections office for instructions on how to update your registration
and receive a ballot.
Do I have to return my ballot by mail?
You have the choice of mailing your ballot or returning it to any county elections
office or any designated drop site in the state. The times and locations of
drop sites are available at your county elections office.
How much postage is required to mail the ballot back?
Your voted ballot can usually be returned using a single 37¢ stamp. In
those instances where additional postage is necessary, it will be clearly
indicated on the ballot materials.
When must the voted ballot be returned?
The voted ballot must be received in any county elections office or designated
drop site by 8:00 p.m. on election night.
Postmarks do not count!
How do I know if my ballot is received?
You can call your county elections office and ask if they received your ballot.
A record is kept showing each voter whose ballot has been returned.
Can anyone find out how I've voted once I mail my ballot?
No. All ballots are separated from the return envelope before the ballots
are inspected. This process ensures confidentiality.
What if I forget to sign the return envelope?
Generally, your elections office will either return it to you for signing
or they will contact you, if possible, to come to the elections office to
sign it. If the return envelope does not get signed before 8:00 p.m. on November
2, the ballot will not be counted.
Can the public watch the election process?
All steps of the process are open to observation by the public. Contact your
county elections official to make arrangements.
When will election results be known?
Ballot counting cannot begin until election day. Initial results are released
at 8:00 p.m. election night and will continue to be updated through election
night until all ballots have been counted.
Voters with Disabilities
If, because of a disability, you would like assistance in voting your ballot
or you would like to request a cassette or CD version of the Voters' Pamphlet,
call 1-866-ORE-VOTES (1-866-673-8683).