This content was published: October 28, 2016. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Media converge on Cascade Campus to listen to Senator’s big plans for vote by mail
Photos and story by James Hill
Cascade turned out to be a center of the media world, at least for an hour, on Friday (Oct. 28).
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden hosted a press conference at the Cascade Campus to discuss Oregon’s vote by mail program and his efforts to get the Vote by Mail Act of 2016 bill passed. Citing concerns with barriers to voting such as long lines and complicated registration requirements that disproportionately affect minorities through in-person voting, Sen. Wyden wants to create a national vote by mail system.
Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith, Bus Project Executive Director Nikki Fisher and State Rep. Lew Frederick also talked about breaking down barriers to voting. Reporters and cameras from KATU, KGW and FOX 12 were on hand for the press event held in the Technology Education Building.
In 2000, Oregon became the first state in the country to implement vote by mail, which proponents have said allows voters to avoid long lines at polling places and makes voting more accessible for groups often disenfranchised.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »