OREGON

STUDENT
VOTER GUIDE
FALL 2014
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
TOP
5
ITS MY RIGHT
Voting is an important right that I have a duty to exercise.
I have the right and responsibility to select government
leaders and guide government policy. The health of our
democracy relies on my participation.
Recent history has shown that important elections can be
decided by a handful of votes. If I make a plan to vote I can
help prevent elections from being left to chance.
Politicians know who votes each election, and they are
more likely to support policies that are popular among
groups with the highest voter turnout. For college students
to have signifcant political infuence over tuition prices and
fnancial aid I must turn out to vote.
IM PART OF A KEY GROUP OF VOTERS IN
EVERY ELECTION
With over 300,000 college students eligible to vote in
Oregon, my vote can make a huge difference when
banded together with other college students. Oregons last
governors race was decided by only 22,000 votes.
I SHAPE THE POLICIES THAT AFFECT MY
FUTURE.
The policies I vote for today will have a huge infuence
on my life after college. Do I really want to leave those
decisions up to someone else?
MY VOTE MATTERS
POLITICIANS WONT ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS
WITHOUT MY VOTE
REASONS I
SHOULD VOTE
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
@ 8PM
WHAT TO DO WHEN I
RECEIVE MY BALLOT
1
FILL OUT MY BALLOT
Open your ballot and fll it out completely. Follow the
enclosed instructions. If you need more information look
through this student voter guide or use the voters pamphlet
you received in the mail. An online version of the offcial
voters pamphlet is available at www.oregonvotes.gov
under the My Ballot section.
2
RETURN MY BALLOT
Place your completed ballot in the secrecy envelope. Place
your secrecy envelope in the return envelope.
Seal it. Sign it. Return it.
Return options:
Drop it in a ballot drop box on campus
Stamp it and mail it back
Find an ballot drop box near campus:
www.orstudents.org/dropbox
Your ballot will arrive by mail. Ballots are sent out two to
three weeks before the election. Check your mailbox
frequently for your ballot.
I HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT MY BALLOT
If you have a questions or concerns about your ballot go to
www.oregonvotes.gov or call the toll-free voter information
line at 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 1-800-735-2900.
Find a ballot drop box near campus:
www.orstudents.org/dropbox
FAQs
WHERE DO I VOTE?
In Oregon you vote by mail. This means you, as a registered
voter, will receive a ballot at your home, in your mailbox,
two to three weeks before an election. Once completed,
mail or drop off your ballot. Find a ballot drop box near your
campus at www.orstudents.org/dropbox
WHAT IF I DONT RECEIVE A BALLOT?
If you are registered voter and have not received your ballot
by October 24
th
, call your county elections offce. You can
also check the status of your ballot at www.oregonvotes.gov
under the My Vote section.
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
@ 8PM
DOES MY VOTE REALLY MATTER?
Yes! The last Oregon governors race in 2010 came down
to 22,000 votes out of 1.4 million. A narrow 1.58% margin of
victory. Important elections can be decided by a handful of
votes.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE MEASURES MEAN?
Keep reading this guide. We will clear it up. You have a
chance to decide laws in Oregon with your vote.
ELECTION ISSUES
EDUCATION
The people that make decisions about
how much you will pay for college are
elected by you. The people you elect
determine how much money is available
for Pell Grants and set the interest rates
on your students loans. They also decide how much money
your college gets from the state, which impacts your tuition.
EMPLOYMENT
Worried about getting a job after college
or earning enough money to get by? The
people you elect can create policies that
effect unemployment rates, job growth,
job quality, and job security.
HEALTHCARE
Access to healthcare is an important issue
for all students. The people you elect can
create laws to ensure high-quality health
care is more affordable and accessible.
ENVIRONMENT
The people you elect can make policies
addressing air and water quality,
natural resource and wildlife protection,
sustainable energy sources, ecosystem
management, and climate change.
Learn More: www.orstudents.org/vote
WHOS ON MY BALLOT?
UNITED STATES SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
You will elect the following in the Fall 2014 General Election
on Tuesday, November 4th:
The primary function of both the U.S. Senate and the U.S.
House of Representatives is to make laws for the whole
U.S. The U.S. Senate must approve all of the Presidents
governmental appointments, including the Secretary of
Education, who is responsible for overseeing federal fnancial
aid and grant programs. The House has the power to initiate
revenue bills, which affects funding for post-secondary
education. U.S. senators and representatives take votes on
funding for federal fnancial aid, including Pell Grants, and
on setting the interest rates of federal student loans.
OREGON GOVERNOR
The governor is responsible for implementing state laws and
overseeing the operation of the state executive branch
and its agencies. They develop and submit a budget that
includes recommended funding levels for public community
colleges and universities, as well as for fnancial aid
programs such as the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
OREGON SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
The Oregon Senate and the Oregon House of
Representatives make funding and policy decisions
affecting the whole state. State senators and representatives
take votes on funding levels for public community colleges
and universities. State laws can also affect textbook prices,
loans to campuses for new construction, and tuition prices.
Judicial races and local seats will be on your ballot too. Ask your
student government if you need more information.
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
@ 8PM
WHATS ON MY BALLOT?
Cast your vote for ballot measures this fall by Tuesday,
November 4th. This is your chance to create laws with your
vote.
YES or NO?
MEASURE 86: Funding for Post-Secondary Education
MEASURE 87: Employment of State Judges
MEASURE 88: Driver Cards
MEASURE 89: Equal Rights for Women
MEASURE 90: Top Two Elections System
MEASURE 91: Legalized Marijuana
MEASURE 92: Mandatory Labeling of GMOs
In the following pages we review each ballot measure in
detail and explain what the results of a yes or no vote
on each measure would be.
Explanation of the Student Impact Statements: In these
statements students describe the impact of the ballot
measure on students. The most common impact is fnancial
impact on state funds, because we all attend public schools
that get funding from the government which also funds K-12
education, public safety, and health and human services.
Find a ballot drop box near campus:
www.orstudents.org/dropbox
BALLOT MEASURES
LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH BALLOT MEASURE
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES
This ballot measure amends Oregons Constitution. The
measure would create a fund for Oregonians pursuing post-
secondary education and authorize the fnancing of this
fund via debt.
Amends state constitution and requires legislature to
establish fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary
education and career training. Authorizes the state to incur
debt to fnance the fund.
RESULT OF A YES VOTE
The measure would diversify the way Oregon can fund
college fnancial aid. This ballot measure has no fnancial
effect on state or local government expenses. This measure
does not require money be put into the fund it creates.
STUDENT IMPACT
Rejects authorization for state to extend credit and incur
debt to create dedicated fund for Oregon students pursuing
post-secondary education and career training.
RESULT OF A NO VOTE
MEASURE 86
Funding for Post-Secondary Education
WHATS ON MY BALLOT
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
@ 8PM
WHATS ON MY BALLOT
MEASURE 87
Employment of State Judges
This ballot measure amends Oregons Constitution. Allows
state court judges to be employed for the purpose of
teaching at public universities and to receive compensation
for performing military service in the Oregon National Guard.
RESULT OF A YES VOTE
Amends state constitution to permit state judges to be
employed by Oregon National Guard for military service
purposes and state public universities and colleges for
teaching purposes.
RESULT OF A NO VOTE
Keeps existing constitutional restrictions on employment of
Oregon state court judges by the Oregon National Guard
and by the state public university system.
This measure could result in state court judges being
employed as faculty members at public colleges. This
ballot measure has no fnancial effect on state or local
government expenses.
STUDENT IMPACT
Learn More: www.orstudents.org/vote
MEASURE 88
Driver Cards
Makes four-year driver cards available to Oregon residents
without requiring proof of legal presence in the United
States. The card may not be used as identifcation for air
travel, to enter a federal building, to register to vote, or to
obtain any government beneft requiring proof of citizenship
or lawful presence in United States. The card does not
convey immigration status.
Directs Department of Transportation to issue driver cards
to Oregon residents meeting specifed eligibility, without
requiring proof of legal presence in United States.
RESULT OF A YES VOTE
Rejects law directing Department of Transportation to issue
driver cards to eligible Oregon residents without requiring
proof of legal presence in United States.
RESULT OF A NO VOTE
STUDENT IMPACT
The revenue from distributing these cards is expected to
be enough to offset the initial and long term cost to the
Department of Transportation. Any revenue that is gained
beyond the costs will be deposited into the State Highway
Fund.
WHATS ON MY BALLOT
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
@ 8PM
MEASURE 89
Equal Rights for Women
This ballot measure amends Oregons Constitution. The
measure would add a new section to the Constitution which
guarantees that the State or its political subdivisions shall not
deny or abridge equality of rights on account of sex.
Amends state constitution and prohibits the State and any
political subdivision from denying or abridging equality of
rights under the law on account of sex.
RESULT OF A YES VOTE
Keeps current prohibition on laws granting or denying
privileges or immunities on account of sex, unless justifed by
specifc biological differences between men and women.
RESULT OF A NO VOTE
STUDENT IMPACT
This ballot measure has no fnancial effect on state or local
government expenses.
Find a ballot drop box near campus:
www.orstudents.org/vote/dropbox
WHATS ON MY BALLOT
MEASURE 90
Top Two Elections System
Changes the general election nomination process. Would
create a top-two system of general election voting where
the primary ballot allows voters to choose one candidate
from all candidates, regardless of political party. Only the
top two candidates, regardless of political party, would then
be voted upon in the general election.
Retains current general election nomination processes,
including party primaries for major parties. Continues the use
of separate primary ballots. Multiple candidates can appear
on general election ballot.
RESULT OF A NO VOTE
Estimated start-up cost of $362,640 to modify computer
systems. The most likely funding source would be revenues
from the General Fund. The estimated mix of costs and
savings makes the fnancial impact to counties uncertain.
The reasoning for this being that the primary ballot would
potentially have more candidates on it than before, but the
general election would only feature two candidates per
race so ballots would be shorter.
STUDENT IMPACT
Replaces general election nomination processes for most
partisan offces. All candidates would be listed on one single
primary ballot. Following the primary the top two candidates
advance to general election ballot.
RESULT OF A YES VOTE
WHATS ON MY BALLOT
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
@ 8PM
MEASURE 91
Legalized Marijuana Initiative
Allows possession, manufacture and sale of marijuana to
and by those over 21 years old. Would legalize recreational
marijuana use for people ages 21 and older, allowing those
over 21 years old to possess up to eight ounces of dried
marijuana and up to four plants. Additionally, the measure
would task the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with
regulating sales of the drug. Marijuana would be subject to
state licensing, regulation, taxation.
RESULT OF A YES VOTE
Allows possession of marijuana for those over 21 years old.
Authorizes in-state manufacture, processing, and sale of
marijuana by and to people 21 years and older. Creates
licensing, regulation, taxation of marijuana by the state.
Retains current medical marijuana laws.
RESULT OF A NO VOTE
Retains laws classifying marijuana as a controlled substance.
Prohibits most sale, possession, and manufacture of
marijuana. Retains current medical marijuana laws.
Generated revenues are expected to be suffcient to offset
costs for all implementation processes. Remaining revenue
is to be distributed to K-12 school funding, law enforcement,
and alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs.
STUDENT IMPACT
Learn More: www.orstudents.org/vote
WHATS ON MY BALLOT
MEASURE 92
Mandatory Labeling of GMOs Initiative
WHATS ON YOUR BALLOT
Would mandate that food manufacturers and retailers
label foods that were produced with or contain genetically
modifed organisms. Permits the state or injured citizen to
sue a manufacturer or retailer for knowing or intentional
violation. Defnes genetically engineered food as food
produced from organisms with genetic material changed
through in vitro nucleic acid techniques and certain cell-
fusing techniques; exempts traditional plant-breeding
techniques like hybridization. Does not apply to animal feed
or food served in restaurants.
RESULT OF A YES VOTE
Requires the labeling of raw packaged foods produced
entirely or partially by genetic engineering, effective
January 2016. Applies to food retailers, suppliers,
manufactures.
RESULT OF A NO VOTE
Retains existing law, which does not require genetically
engineered food to be labeled as such.
STUDENT IMPACT
BALLOTS DUE BY NOV. 4
th
@ 8PM
The regulatory component of the measure is citizen
enforced. The ballot measure has no fnancial effect on
state or local government expenses.
GET INVOLVED WITH THE
Students just like you lead this organization; fghting for
affordable & accessible higher education for all Oregonians.
Are you inspired to make change for students? The Oregon
Student Association has a volunteer opportunity for you.
Help on a student vote campaign
Advocate for student on campus or at the State Capitol
Come to the Higher Education Rally on Feb. 12th in Salem
Apply for an internship and gain college credit
LEARN MORE: ORSTUDENTS.ORG
PLEDGE TO VOTE!
I pledge to vote and turn in my ballot by
Tuesday, November 4th at 8pm.
I WANT TO GET INVOLVED!
Name: _____________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________
Student of Color
LGBTQ Student
Student Veteran
Student Parent
Student with Disabilities
Low-income Student
I identify as:
Check all that apply. Information is voluntary.
EVERYONE IS
VOTING BY
NOV. 4
TH