As 2018 fades from view, we see 2019 approaching with a host of new leadership. A new Deschutes County Commissioner will join the ranks. An avowed advocate for schools—in the form of a current Bend-La Pine Schools board member—moves to the Oregon House, representing District 54. In District 53, a younger, moderate politician replaces longtime […]
elections
Posted inOpinion
No Voting System is Perfect
On Tuesday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported the discovery of a batch of stolen mail on Bureau of Land Management land, including a number of unopened election ballots. For those not in support of vote-by-mail systems, this might seem like ammunition to help their cause. In this case, none of the ballots were opened, […]
Posted inNews
Election 2018
Waves of Red and Blue… and White? Before you vote this election, think beyond party lines
**LOOKING FOR ELECTION RESULTS? GO HERE. ** Talk to any candidate about their confidence in any given race, and chances are—even in the races that seem the surest wins—they’ll tell you they’re not holding their breath about winning. Party-line politics might play big in other parts of the state, but here in Central Oregon, a […]
Posted inNews
Stolen Ballots Recovered on BLM Land
DCSO working with County Clerk to get ballots back to voters
If you haven’t received your ballot for this November’s election, check with the Deschutes County Clerk, as it may have been part of the stolen mail recovered by a Bureau of Land Management Ranger on Monday. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, which received the stolen mail from more than 70 addresses throughout the […]
Posted inNews
Some Things You Might Not Have Known About Voting in Oregon
Did you know that 16 and 17 year olds can register to vote?
You’re registered to vote. You know something about the candidates. But with ballots for the 2018 General Election now delivered to most voters in Oregon, Secretary of State Dennis Richardson has answers to some of the 12 most frequently asked questions about the election. Did you know, for example, that 16 and 17 year olds […]
Posted inNews
Important Dates and Ballot County Ballot Drop Sites
IMPORTANT DATES 10/17 – Ballots mailed to voters 10/30 – Last day to mail ballots (recommended by Deschutes County Clerk) 11/06 – Election day (ballots must be received by 8pm) 2018 General Election Deschutes County Ballot Drop Sites Missed the suggested mail-in deadline of Oct. 30? Don’t want to mail in your ballot? Here’s where […]
Posted inOpinion
May Election Endorsements
Vote yes on 9-118, 9-119, 9-115 and 9-116
Vote Yes on Measure 9-118 – City of Bend Directly Elected Mayor You don’t have to be a population scientist to know that Bend has grown exponentially since 1995, the last time the city amended its charter. Back then, the city had roughly 30,000 people—far fewer than the 91,000+ reported by the U.S. Census Bureau […]
Posted inNews
Deschutes County wouldn’t enforce gun laws under proposed ballot measure
Group collecting signatures to put a measure on the November ballot
Deschutes County residents could vote on a ballot measure in November to prohibit the county from enforcing gun laws. Sponsors of an initiative petition called the Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance will begin collecting signatures to place it on the ballot. (See a version of the petition at the bottom of this post.) The proposed measure would […]
Posted inNews
House District 53 up for grabs
After 15 years, Rep. Gene Whisnant is not running for re-election
For the past 15-plus years, Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, has represented District 53 in the Oregon House of Representatives. Today though, the longtime representative announced he’s not running for another term. “I look forward to completing my term and being active in the interim and 2018 session,” Whisnant stated in a Nov. 4 press release. […]
