'Dear John' Primary In Oregon
Usually, the term "mailing it in" refers to a less-than-stellar effort on the part of a candidate, sports team, or other organization. Tuesday in Oregon, however, voters mailed it in, and were quite proud of it.
Oregon voters participating in the nation's first vote-by-mail primary used the occasion to reject five out of six ballot measures and choose candidates for Congress, secretary of state, treasurer and the Legislature.
The effort was intended to increase turnout in a state primary held too late to affect presidential nominations. As expected, Al Gore and George W. Bush easily won their parties' endorsements.
Arizona had an Internet primary.
Oregon had a mail-in primary.
What's next?
But the bigger story was the use of all mail ballots for the first time in a regular primary election.
Among propositions defeated Tuesday were ones that would have allowed lawmakers to place limits on how much money people could receive in personal-injury lawsuits and a proposed nickel-a-gallon gasoline tax increase to pay for road repairs.
The most hotly contested race was between "the battling Lynns" - two Republicans who want to run against incumbent Secretary of State Bill Bradbury in November. House Speaker Lynn Snodgrass beat leading State Rep. Lynn Lundquist 48 percent to 44 percent. Bradbury is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
In a race to see who would face Democratic incumbent David Wu in Oregon's 1st Congressional District, state Sen. Charles Starr defeated former Lake Oswego Mayor Alice Schlenker 62 percent to 38 percent. Wu ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Late Tuesday, the secretary of state's office estimated voter turnout at 47 percent, which would be the highest since the 1992 primary, which had a turnout of 49.1 percent.
Since the early 1980s, Oregon residents have voted by mail in local elections and special statewide elections. This was the first all-mail, regularly scheduled election.
Two years ago, Oregonians voted to abolish the traditional polling place in all statewide elections in favor of the mail ballot. Supporters say it's cheaper and more convenient.
Colleen Vala, a 27-year-old day-care teacher, said she didn't miss traditional polling places.
"We all sat around at the kitchen table last night and filled out our ballots together," Vala said Tuesday. "It was better that way, because we were able to discuss the issues and debate them."
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