One of the most closely watched votes is Measure 90 introducing an Oregon top two primary vote | Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles
Since the election of George Washington as the first President in 1789, the United States has held federal, state and local elections every two years. The November 4th Midterm elections for 2014 are approaching and forecasts call for dramatic shifts in a country that has never stopped evolving. Yet alongside voting for their government representatives, voters in some states have other major decisions ahead of them and some deal with the election system setup in Washington’s time. One of the most closely watched votes in the country for election reform advocates will be the vote on Oregon’s Measure 90 that would introduce a top two primary system statewide. The plan to introduce a top two primary system has met with some fierce opposition.

Top two primaries are also known by multiple other names like non-partisan blanket primaries or qualifying primaries. According to the Wise Geek article, What is the blanket primary, “in a blanket primary, unlike an open primary, voters choose candidates for each office without regard to party. The candidates with the highest votes by party for each office advance to the general election, as the respective party’s nominee.”

Opposition to Measure 90 has been fierce. Below you can find the latest salvo against the proposal by the International Brotherhood Of Teamsters, a major union, written by President of Teamsters JC 37 Tony Andrews. Also recommended is the article, “Vote Against Oregon’s Top Two Primary Election Proposal“, by longtime Democracy Chronicles writer and election method expert Richard Fobes. As a resident of Oregon, Fobes warns: “Those of us in Oregon need to vote against the “top two primary” election because it continues to use single-mark ballots, which are the source of the problem. The idea of an “open” primary is a nice idea, but primary elections — of either kind — need to use a better kind of ballot.”

From ‘Vote No On Measure 90’:

PORTLAND, Oregon, “Oregonians want and deserve choice, and nowhere is that more important than at the ballot box. Our state has a rich tradition of having a variety of candidates from major and independent parties to choose from who have brought attention to previously ignored issues, and now is not the time to cave to special interests and change it.

Oregon Teamsters condemn the introduction of Measure 90. If enacted, the initiative would effectively shut out minor parties from the general election process. What our state needs is more voter participation, not less. Limiting the type of candidates eligible to run for office, as Measure 90 would do, is a step backwards.

Our members support voting NO on Measure 90 because they know the truth behind this measure. Not only will it limit the variety of political candidates, but it’s also the pet project of wealthy individuals and corporations who have supplied 70 percent of the funding for the vote “yes” campaign. This measure is simply a rehash of a similar ballot initiative rejected by two-thirds of the voters in 2008.

We encourage all residents of Oregon to VOTE NO on Measure 90. Our members: warehouse workers, delivery drivers and dairy workers across the state, reject what Measure 90 stands for. It has no place in our state.”

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico including more than 16,000 Teamsters members in Oregon. For more information, go to www.teamster.org. “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @Teamsters.

Logo – https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO

SOURCE Teamsters Joint Council 37 in Portland

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