3/15/05 SOS VBM press release

Bill Bradbury
Secretary of State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anne Martens
March 15, 2005
503-986-1502

The benefits of vote by mail:

-- Vote by mail has built-in safeguards that increase the integrity of the elections process.

-- Studies show that vote by mail has no direct impact on one political party over another.

-- After 5 years of vote by mail, Dr. Priscilla Southwell, a professor at the University of Oregon, found that 80.9% of Oregonians prefer vote by mail to other methods.

-- Participation is higher in elections conducted by mail.

-- Vote by mail removes barriers that keep people from getting to the polls.

-- People have more time to study issues and candidates before marking their ballot in elections conducted by mail.

-- Vote by mail costs about 30% less than polling place elections.

Testimonials

“I want to personally thank you for the way Oregon casts its ballots. We have a wonderful and clear paper ballot system with Vote-By-Mail,…We have a system that can be re-counted and have election staff that is second to none in the United States. I never had any doubt that my vote would count.…As a voter who cares about my vote, I thank you all.” —Robert Culter, Beaverton 2004

“I like [Vote by Mail] a lot better than at a booth because you have time to read the voters’ pamphlet while doing it. I don’t feel rushed so the next person can vote. —Kathleen Kilgore, Salem 2002

“Oregon’s Vote by Mail system has made voting easier than in just about any other state. People can take as much time as they need to mark their ballots.…I’m not sure if it is familiarity or experience with the process, but I really like Oregon Vote by Mail program. It’s so nice to vote in the peace and quiet of my own home and not run to the polling place before/after work.“ —Alice Bartelt, Portland 2002

“I like voting by mail—it is convenient to do at home. I also feel I make more evaluated decisions when I take my time and refer to materials I have ready at home.” —Mari Colbourne, Portland 2002

More information:

http://www.sos.state.or.us/executive/policy-initiatives/vbm/execvbm.htm