Voters Pamphlet Error Costs State $48,000

by Chris Lehman
October 17, 2008

Some mistakes are easier to correct than others. In Oregon, one Congressional candidate did a double take when he saw state officials listed the wrong party affiliation for him in the voters’ pamphlet. Salem correspondent Chris Lehman explains.

Joel Haugen won the Republican primary in the 1st Congressional District last May. But he switched to the Independent Party after a falling-out with local Republicans.

They were upset at his endorsement of Democrat Barack Obama. But somehow state elections officials failed to change his party affiliation on the voters’ pamphlet.

Haugen says the error was discovered when the pamphlet arrived in his mailbox.

Joel Haugen: “Well actually, I didn’t even open it up. My wife opened it up and she what ‘What’s this?’ She said ‘You’re listed as a Republican.’ And I said ‘Oh, that’s interesting.’ I was actually quite astounded that was the case. But you know, it was a clerical error I suppose.”

It’s an expensive clerical error. The state is spending $48,000 to mail postcards to 1st District voters informing them of the mistake.

Haugen and three other minor party candidates are trying to unseat incumbent Democrat David Wu.

Kate Brown picks up Independent Party endorsement

by Janie Har
October 07, 2008

The Independent Party has endorsed Democratic Sen. Kate Brown for secretary of state.

The party, Oregon's third largest with 33,000 registered voters, applauded her willingness to put a referral on the ballot asking voters to limit campaign contributions. Such a change would have to be in the state Constitution, and Brown, a former Senate majority leader, has never voiced such clear support for limits.

In her response to the Independent Party's questionnaire, Brown wrote: "I generally have reservations about making changes to the constitution, but in this case I see no other options."

The Republican in the race, former television news anchorman Rick Dancer, wrote: "If Oregonians want campaign limits they have the ability to place them on the ballot through the initiative process. Any limits in the future need to apply to both individuals and groups."

The Pacific Green Party candidate, Seth Woolley, also supports a limit on contributions.

Kate Brown states her support for an Oregon constitutional amendment to allow limits on political contributions in state and local races.

With 33,000 registered members, Independent Party of Oregon supports candidates who take action to increase government accountability, including campaign finance reform. The IPO endorsement hinged on the fact that Kate Brown agrees that the Oregon Legislature should refer to voters an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to allow limits on political campaign contributions in state and local races.

Rick Metsger comes in second

The Independent Party of Oregon, the state's third largest political party, has endorsed State Senator Vicki Walker in the Democratic Primary race for Secretary of State.

The endorsement was based on their records and the May 3 debate among the 3 Democratic candidates, hosted by the Democracy Action Group of the First Unitarian Church and the Alliance for Democracy, where the candidates answered detailed questions posed by Oregon activists very involved in election issues.

The three candidates for the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State had a very detailed and spirited debate at the First Unitarian Church on May 3. Video of the debate is available at the Oregon Voter Rights Coalition. That coalition has now endorsed Vicki Walker. At the debate (an in prior debates) she forcefully took positions that are consistent with the principles of the IPO, including the absolute need for limits on political campaign contributions in Oregon races (which currently have none).

The Portland chapter of the Alliance for Democracy and the Democracy Action Group of Portland’s First Unitarian Church will host a Forum on Election Integrity from 10 am – 12 noon on May 3rd at the First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland, featuring those candidates for Secretary of State whose names will appear on Oregon's May 20th primary ballot.