1of 2 Voters’ Pamphlet State Measures Oregon General Election November 7, 2006 Bill Bradbury Oregon Secretary of State This Voters’ Pamphlet is provided for assistance in casting your vote by mail ballot. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTIONS DIVISION BILL BRADBURY JOHN LINDBACK DIRECTOR SECRETARY OF STATE 141 STATE CAPITOL PADDY J. MCGUIRE SALEM, OREGON 97310-0722 DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE (503) 986-1518 Dear fellow Oregonian, Every election, we get a chance to make our voices heard by voting. From the simplest local issue to determining our nation’s leaders, we have a chance to weigh in on the things that matter to us and to our future. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to have your say by voting on the ballot measures described in this booklet. One of the great things about our vote by mail system in Oregon is that we can take the time to read as extensively as we want about the issues we’re asked to vote on by November 7th. Oregon’s unique vote by mail process gives all of us the time to study the important issues facing voters without the pressure of a line of people behind us waiting to vote in a polling place. This pamphlet is unique too, in that it affords the opportunity for any Oregonian to share their views on these important issues with the rest of us. I urge you to use the time that vote by mail provides and the information that this pamphlet provides to make informed decisions on these issues that we face. The first step in voting is making sure you're registered by October 17, 2006. If you’ve already registered, thank you. If not, you can use the voter registration card in this pamphlet to do so. If you find you have questions about returning your ballot, registering or any other topic regarding voting, you have even greater resources than ever before to get the answers you need. You can call our toll-free voter information line: 1-866-ORE-VOTES (1-866-673-8683) or use our TTY line, if you’re hearing impaired, at 1-866-350-0596. Elections representatives are available, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm – or you can log onto our website and look for your answers there anytime at www.oregonvotes.org. Please remember to return your ballot so that it is received in your county elections office by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 7th. Voting is simple, easy – and one of the most important things you can do as a citizen of this great country. Your willingness to be an active part of the process is what keeps America great. Thank you for helping build our future by voting. Best wishes, Bill Bradbury Secretary of State General Information Voters’ Pamphlet The voters’ pamphlet has been compiled by the Secretary of State since 1903, when Oregon became one of the first states to Your official 2006 General Election Voters’ Pamphlet is divided provide for the printing and distribution of such a publication. into two separate volumes. This is Volume 1 and contains One copy of the voters’ pamphlet is mailed to every household information on the ten statewide ballot measures, as well as in the state. Additional copies are available at the State Capitol, information on registering to vote. local post offices, courthouses and all county elections offices. Volume 2 will include a listing of state candidates, statements submitted by candidates and political parties, and information about voting your ballot. It will also include your county voters’ Website pamphlet if your county chooses to produce a voters’ pamphlet Most of the information contained in this voters’ pamphlet is in combination with the state. Volume 2 will be delivered also available in the Online Voters’ Guide at October 18-20. www.oregonvotes.org For each of the ten statewide ballot measures in this voters’ pamphlet you will find the following information: (1) the ballot title; Español Una versión en español de algunas partes de la Guía del Elector (2) the estimate of financial impact; está a su disposición en el portal del Internet cuya dirección (3) an explanation of the estimate of financial impact, if aparece arriba. Conscientes de que este material en línea determined to be necessary by the committee; podría no llegar adecuadamente a todos los electores que necesitan este servicio, se invita a toda persona a imprimir la (4) the complete text of the proposed measure; versión en línea y circularla a aquellos electores que no tengan (5) an impartial statement explaining the measure (explanatory acceso a una computadora. statement); and (6) any arguments filed by proponents and opponents of the measure. Important! If your ballot is lost, destroyed, damaged or you make a mistake The ballot title is generally drafted by the Attorney General’s in marking your ballot, you may call your county elections office. It is then distributed to a list of interested parties for office and request a replacement ballot. One will be mailed to public comment. After review of any comments submitted, the you as long as you request it by November 2. After that, you ballot title is certified by the Attorney General’s office. The may pick it up at the elections office. If you have already mailed certified ballot title can be appealed and may be changed by your original ballot before you realize you made a mistake, you the Oregon Supreme Court. have cast your vote and will not be eligible for a replacement The estimate of financial impact and optional explanation for ballot. each measure is prepared by a committee of state officials Your voted ballot must be returned to your county elections including the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, the office by 8:00 p.m. election day, Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Director of the Department of Administrative Services, the Director of the Department of Revenue, and a local government Postmarks do not count! representative selected by the committee members. The committee estimates only the direct impact on state and local County elections offices are open on election day from governments, based on information presented to the 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. committee. The explanatory statement is an impartial statement explaining Voter Information the measure. Each measure’s explanatory statement is written by a committee of five members, including two proponents of For questions about voter registration, ballot delivery and the measure, two opponents of the measure and a fifth mem- return, marking the ballot, requesting a replacement ballot, ber appointed by the first four committee members, or, if they absentee ballots, signature requirements, the voters' pamphlet, fail to agree on a fifth member, appointed by the Secretary of when and where to vote, and other questions about elections State. Explanatory statements can be appealed and may be and voting, call the toll-free voter information line at changed by the Oregon Supreme Court. 1-866-ORE-VOTES (1-866-673-8683). Citizens or organizations may file arguments in favor of or in Voter information line representatives can provide services in opposition to measures by purchasing space for $500 or by both English and Spanish. TTY services for the hearing submitting a petition signed by 1,000 voters. Arguments in impaired are also available at 1-866-350-0596. favor of a measure appear first, followed by arguments in opposition to the measure, and are printed in the order in which they are filed with the Secretary of State’s office. Measure arguments are printed as submitted by the author. The state does not correct punctuation, grammar, syntax errors or inaccurate information. The only changes made are attempts to correct spelling errors if the word as originally submitted is not in the dictionary. Table of Contents Page Page County Elections Offices .................................................... 168 Voter Registration Card ...................................................... 5, 171 Disabled Voter Information ................................................ 6 Voter Registration Information .......................................... 4 Guide to State Measures .................................................... 7 Official 2006 General Election Voters’ Pamphlet continued 3 | General Information Voter Registration Information Registering to Vote Selecting a political party You may want to select a political party when you register but it To vote in Oregon you need to be registered in the county is not required. where you reside. You can register if you can answer yes to these three questions: Updating your voter registration Once you have registered, you are responsible for keeping your Are you a resident of Oregon? information up to date. You can do this by completing and Are you a US citizen?* returning a voter registration card with the new information. Are you at least 18 years old?* You should update your registration if you do any of the *In some cases you can register to vote before you turn 18 or before you following: become a citizen. For more information call 1-866-ORE-VOTES. Change your home address How to register Change your mailing address You can get a voter registration card at any of the following Change your name places. Change your signature Want to change or select a political party In this Voters’ Pamphlet Any County Elections Office If you notify your county elections office of your change of The Secretary of State’s Office residence address after October 17, 2006, you must request that Some state agencies such as the Division of Motor Vehicles a ballot be mailed to you or go to your county elections office to A voter registration drive get your ballot. You can fill the card out in person or send it in by US mail.