Democracy for 32 cents

The Kitchen Sink
    By Karen Abravanel

Normally, the price of Oregon democracy is 32 cents. This year, it cost me a whopping $10.75. If the flake beats the fraud in the First Congressional District, though, it may be the best $10.75 I've ever spent. After the approval of Oregon's recent vote-by-mail measure, it should be the last time I have to return my ballot by Express Mail.

I voted in a frenzy last Saturday morning, obtaining my absentee ballot only after some desperate pleading with postal employees. Due to a computer error, and despite my repeated requests for "permanent absentee" status, my county elections office did not mail my ballot until last Monday. I had less than 20 minutes to complete and return it.

Ideally, this ballot required more than 20 minutes. Thanks to the populist-inspired initiative and referendum processes, there were two full pages of empty ovals. In addition to choosing among the national, state and local candidates, I had to decide on 14 state ballot measures, 10 county measures, and five local measures.

One of the more important initiatives, Measure 60, called for the extention of Oregon's vote-by-mail system, in which the entire electorate essentially votes absentee. Oregonians first used this process in 1981, and it progressed to cover all but the biennial primary and general elections. Elections thus evolved into a confusing dual system--in the words of one Portland journalist, "a weird hybrid."

Experts laud the benefits of vote-by-mail. According to Phil Keisling, Oregon's Secretary of State, the procedure dramatically increases participation. Only 35 percent of the electorate voted in last May's primary, conducted at the polls, while 56 percent participated in a special 1995 vote-by-mail primary election.

Faced with more ballot measures than any other state--24 in 1996--Oregon citizens especially appreciate the convenience of voting by mail. Last Tuesday, Oregonians ensured that they would never have to return to the polls.

The approval of Measure 60 is not surprising. Oregon voters are so fond of voting by mail that 47 percent chose to bypass the polls last Tuesday and register absentee.

By simplifying the elections system, Measure 60 will alter Oregon's political process. There will be no need for polling places or staff monitors. Voting will be easier, although less exciting. Election Day will be replaced by some kind of Election Deadline. When voters submit their ballots at various times before this deadline, last-ditch campaign efforts will have little effect.

The vote-by-mail system will also facilitate the participation of Oregon residents who live outside the state, including university students like me. Voting absentee is a hassle. It is hard to remember to request a ballot in time for each election, especially if one is far removed from hometown politics.

But when all elections are vote-by-mail, Oregon students will receive their ballots without filing any requests. Instead of begging and waiting for absentee ballots, Oregon students will regularly find them in their mailboxes. It will be harder to find reasons for not voting.

Hopefully, when political participation becomes easier, it will also become more common. Most students believe in voting. The issue is not their desire, but rather their ability to participate.

I am frequently disappointed when friends do not vote because they forgot to request an absentee ballot, or did not file their request in time. Similarly, it bothers me that a processing delay could prevent my own participation. It seems unfair to deny citizens their right to vote simply because they miss a deadline.

Oregon's full vote-by-mail system will resolve such dilemmas in advance, and other states would do well to consider this system. If all goes well, it should only cost me 32 cents to vote in the next election--whether I am in Oregon or, more likely, thousands of miles away.

Back to Opinion...