PICTURES of the amazing day!

(hat tip to Garrett for his skillz. aka. The GearGreaser)

Casting a vote for the next generation
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

In 2004, Oregon and Kansas shared a last-place dishonorable mention for having the largest gap in turnout between younger and older voters. A whopping 28 percent more older voters cast ballots in Oregon that year than did younger ones. In a state with such an accomplished history of citizen involvement, that fact signaled an alarming generational shift in civic engagement. Participatory government only works with participants.

Oregon needs a plan for engaging its young citizens as voters, as volunteers, as board members and candidates for elected office. Nothing less than the future of the state is riding on it. Historically, overall voter turnout in Oregon has been a benchmark of success. And it’s no surprise that high levels of voter turnout translate into high levels of citizenship in other areas, too — from addressing flooding at Johnson Creek to passing landmark citizen legislation through the ballot initiative process.

But 2008 has been the year of the young voter across the nation, and it could be the beginning of a new trend in Oregon, as well. After two consecutive national elections with increased youth turnout, this year has seen unprecedented turnout levels in the primaries (youth turnout has doubled, tripled, even quadrupled in some states). That represents a special opportunity to engage young voters in Oregon, and for keeping them engaged beyond the election.

Oregon’s young people are poised to make a key impact in today’s primary, and it looks like they know it. So far this year, four times more young people than any other age group have registered to vote for the first time, accounting for more than half of all new registrations. As reported in a recent story in The Oregonian, this group could very well affect the state’s politics for years to come.

But the political engagement of this “millennial generation” cannot begin and end with a frenzied presidential contest. We must set our sights past November, and farther down the ballot than the presidential bubble. The cultural and institutional challenges of voter access and inadequate civic education that have for so long discouraged youth participation will persist, and they will be ours to face together.

The Bus Project is working to address these challenges through volunteer engagement and fun events such as Trick-or-Vote, young leader trainings and voter advocacy, such as support for a bill passed last year that allows teenagers to register to vote as soon as they turn 17. But as Oregonians we must also re-examine how vote-by-mail works for young voters, who move frequently. Policies to consider: same-day registration, which according to the Pew Charitable Trusts is the best way to increase participation; subsidized stamps; online registration such as in Washington state; and organized mock elections and voter drives in public schools.

And government is not the only solution. Foundations and nonprofit organizations and schools should be looking for ways to include youth engagement in their focus.

Although today’s primary will have its winners and losers, one of the winners we should be celebrating already is that more than 43,000 young Oregonians registered to vote for the first time. Regardless of the outcomes today, or for that matter in November, Oregon has an opportunity to cast a meaningful (metaphorical) vote this year — to prioritize the next generation.

We’re ready.

Caitlin Baggott is director of the Bus Project Foundation. Alex Aronson is youth vote director for the foundation.

Once again folks….we bring this super handy Ballot Drop Box Locator.

If you are able to give some time in these last days to put her over the top and let her continue building the Eugene we all want to live in, see the times and places below!

In my opinion the most important race for this May 20 election is the one for Mayor of Eugene.  Just for the fact that the two candidates come from two very different sides of the political landscape.  If you didn’t know the Lane Bus Project supports Kitty Piercy for this post!

Monday, May 12th:

Sign waving-
Ferry St Bridge and 18th & Chambers - 4-5:45pm
Phoning-
SEIU Office (basement of Oregon Community Credit Union, corner of 11th and Ferry) - 6-9pm

Tuesday, May 13th - Thursday, May 15th:

Phoning-
SEIU Office (basement of Oregon Community Credit Union, corner of 11th and Ferry) - 6-9pm

Friday, May 16th:

Sign waving-
Morning-Ferry St Bridge- 7:30-9am
Afternoon-Ferry St Bridge and 18th & Chambers - 4-5:45pm

Saturday, May 17th:
Bus Project GOTV Canvass! Monroe Park (10th and Monroe)
10am - Meet Up 11am - Canvass

Sunday, May 18th:
Final GOTV Canvass- University Park (24th and University) - 1pm

Monday, May 19th:
Last Night of Phoning!
SEIU Office (basement of Oregon Community Credit Union, corner of 11th and Ferry) - 6-9pm

Let me know if you can help! Contact Ashley at 541-968-8269 or ashley@kittypiercy.com.

Calling all people who dig partying for politics!

Mark your calendars, ’cause you’ve got a date with the Bus
–Saturday, May 17th. 10AM @ Monroe Park. Eugene Oregon.

What kind of a date, you ask?
Well, it’s part ballot block party, part pre-primary party in the park, part…..well, you get the idea.

Food, music, progressive candidates (Kitty Piercy & Andrea Ortiz) and…THE BUS!

That’s right, THE big bus from Portland is making the celebratory trip down to lil’ ol’ Eugene that day to kick off the political season of service!

Call the Lane Bus office 541. 344. 9999 or email Event Director, Mindy Linder to sign up early and enter to WIN a mystery prize (ooooooo—ahhhhhh).

…(pretend) FINE PRINT…
To be entered, you must sign up by Friday, May 9 at 5:00 pm (3 more days!) AND you must be present Saturday, May 17 when the winner is announced to collect your mysterious (ooooo—ahhhhhhh) mystery prize……

The latest from Lane County Elections
For the position of Lane County Commissioner representing North Eugene, the candidates ARE (drum roll please)

Bobby Green (incumbent, worst commissioner IMHO)
Rob Handy (Rose’s pick — give this man money today! Make a donation here)
Steve Sherbina (equipment operator for EWEB, never heard of him)
Nadia Sindi (educator)

For their filing papers, go here.

Eugene Races
Mayor:
Kitty Piercy (incumbent, and Rose’s pick; give her money, too!)
Jim Torrey (boooooooooo, didn’t a happening Eugene politician already show Torrey the door out of local politics?)
Nick Urhauser (listed as a Social Security Claims analyst)
Jim Ray (Home Depot employee, political newbie)

The Register Guard reports:
[between Ray and Urhausen]

the politically conservative Urhausen has been most active in local politics.

He filed a lawsuit that eventually torpedoed part of a Eugene property tax levy that provided funding for schools. A Vietnam veteran, he also helped restart the local Veterans Day parade and supported placing the American flag atop Skinner Butte. He’s been vocal on many other local issues.

boooooooooo!!!! This is the guy that axed local funding for schools. I’m all for supporting veterans, but what’s he got against the kids? And I don’t know if you’ve ever applied from SSDI, but ouch!

And for the rest of the City Council, Ward 7 is contested
John Crane (local businessman, former Kidsports CEO)
Andrea Ortiz (Incumbent, Rose’s pick)

A quick google search uncovered a 1998 record of Crane’s candidacy for Democratic primary for HD 43 (but where in the heck is that? currently Chip Shields is in this district, which is up north).

I hope you’ll all take a pass on the Ward 8 race — Chris Pryor got a dismal rating from Oregon League of Conservation Voters — he has no opponent, though he should! Come’on Ward 8! Where are your progressives? At least show you really ARE interested in having a better choice of candidates by writing in someone else for the seat or skipping it entirely (but DO vote for the other races on your ballot!). Potential candidates look at the “undervote” in their districts to see how many people just didn’t vote for a candidate when he or she had no opponent.

Three cheers for
Pete Sorenson, unopposed for re-election to county commissioner (south Eugene)
Betty Taylor, unopposed for Ward 2 in Eugene (a stalwart defender of progressive issues)
George Brown, Bonny Bettman’s choice for her own seat in Ward 1 (and let’s get Bonny in another office fast!)

Coming soon to a hip downtown restaurant near you: Get on the Budget! The Bus Project and Eugene Weekly will showcase the lane county budget and four candidates for Lane County Commissioner.

What do you want to know about candidates Bobby Green (incumbent), Rob Handy, Steve Sherbina and Nadia Sindi?

Come ask a question!

Wednesday, April 30th
7-9pm
Davis’ Restaurant
94 W. Broadway (corner of Broadway and Olive)
Eugene

(Davis’ is an all ages venue with food and beverages for kids and adults)

Folks, this isn’t a Bus Project event, but my good buddy and incredible advocate Martin Rafferty is asking those who care about what young residents in Lane County have to say to join them for the Youth Empowerment Summit. His words below:

It’s time to come together to support the youth of our community. If you support or work in the youth service field you should come to see this elaborate event. Fully created and lead by youth and funded by multiple organizations this will be a great opportunity for networking and community building. If you can’t make it May 9th pass this letter along to someone who can!

Say YES!

Youth know what is happening in our community and have fresh ideas to address social issues. Eight groups of youth allied with community organizations have prepared presentations on solutions to social issues in our community.

Please come take part in this unique opportunity to hear from proactive young leaders. The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) is an opportunity for youth to create change by presenting to community decision makers on youth identified community issues.

YES is a youth led event which is designed to stimulate awareness by giving voice to youth as they speak about issues of oppression and create positive community solutions.

Where: The Shedd Institute for the Arts
868 High St. (Use High St. Entrance), Eugene

When: Friday, May 9th 2008
12:00 – 7:00pm (breakout sessions from 1:40pm to 4:30pm)
Lunch will be provided at noon.

Schedule for the day:
12:00 – Lunch
12:30-1:30 – Opening Presentation
1:40-3:00 – First Breakout Session
Juventud FACETA
Youth Council
LGBTQ Issues
Sexual Health

3:10-4:30 – Second Breakout Session
Communities Empowering Youth (CEY)
Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) And MindFreedom International
ACT-SO
Student Peace Alliance

4:30-5:00 – Closing Presentation
5:00-7:00 – Networking Opportunity and Open Mic Celebration

Please RSVP to Cheryl Bondy by May 2nd
682-2331 or cheryl.bondy@co.lane.or.us

If you need a translator, sign language interpreter, large print material, or other accommodations, please call or email Cheryl Bondy.

We all should be on top of the county budget — because of the holes it leaves when it gets gutted. We are heading for difficult times, with hundreds of layoffs of county employees, with the disappearance of the county animal shelter and services (LCAS), with the huge cuts in prevention and women, infants, and children (WIC). And we knew this was coming but couldn’t develop the policy that both sides could support.

So we talk budgets. At Davis’s. On April 30th at 7pm. And there will be Rob Handy. And there will be Bobby Green. And several others to talk about the state (ie. county) we find ourselves in. Only a few blocks away, the City of Eugene will be discussing its budget — and in what ways we can help do what is best for the area.