Every outer East Portland resident has a stake in the direction of their city, but the shocking fact is that so many do not take direct action, by voting ...
Until May 14, here’s still time to mail in your ballot, postage free, for the May 19 Oregon Primary Election; but there are also drive-up sites in many neighborhoods where you can drop off your very important ballot.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The very nature of the city in which you live – and pay taxes – may change, for better or worse, over the next four years, depending on which individuals are elected, or reelected, to office.
East Portland News has never advocated for any candidate. It’s up to you to look them over, and choose for yourself who you believe will lead your city best.
Underlying the selection of elected officials are many questions pertinent to our region of the city, including:
- Should neighborhood associations be eliminated?
- Are you okay with more and more traffic lanes being stripped off many major outer East Portland streets?
- Is the balance of social services and infrastructure on target?
- Do you feel that outer East Portland has received more lip service than actual services?
- With our experience of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, is the ever-increasing population density in outer East Portland – meaning that many more people are living in a smaller area – a good idea?
Voting in this election is your way to assert direct control over the livability issues in outer East Portland.
It’s your civic duty to vote, as an American citizen, and a resident of Oregon and Portland.
But, here’s the real – and some say shocking – reason outer East Portland citizens should vote: Planners and politicians tend to ignore, and do what they will, in areas with traditionally low voter turnout, regardless of their campaign promises.
Here’s the startling truth: Although about half of Portland’s citizens live in outer East Portland – according to past Multnomah County voting records – fewer than half of those who can vote, actually do!
It’s not illegal for unions, school districts, and affinity groups to pour massive amounts of money into election campaigns to help elect people they believe will benefit them most.
It’s a fact: If every qualified voter in outer East Portland cast a ballot, we’d be electing the next Portland Mayor, Portland City Council members, and other officials into office.
By voting, you can weed out politicians and planners, some of whom appear to believe they can impose lifestyle-impacting changes on our region of Portland and Multnomah County – without any unpleasant consequences for them – and you can replace them with officials responsive to our needs.
Who do you want to be Portland’s Mayor? Has outer East Portland benefitted from the 10-cent-per-gallon fuel tax? Should neighborhood associations be allowed to exist? Mark your ballot, and turn it in!
Go over your ballot now
All registered voters in Multnomah County should have received their ballots by May 7; any Multnomah County voter who has not received a ballot for the May 19, 2020 Primary Election should call the County elections office at 503-988-VOTE (8683).
Important dates:
May 14 – It’s the last day to safely return your ballot by mail, and this year you don’t need to put a postage stamp on the envelope.
May 19 – Oregon Primary Election Day; ballots due by 8:00 p.m.
If you miss the mailing deadline, it’s easy to vote from the comfort and safety your car – at an official ballot drop box.
After May 14, voters must use an official drop site; CLICK HERE to see the online listing of sites.
Take your ballot here:
- Midland Library parking lot – off SE 122nd Avenue a block south of SE Stark Street is open 24/7 through election evening, May 19.
- Centennial neighborhood area – use the drop box in the Regal Cinemas Movie Theater parking lot at 16603 SE Division Street, 97236 – it’s behind the M & M Car Wash.
- Parkrose neighborhood area – this NEW drop box is locate at 4390 NE 102nd Avenue, the east parking lot, across the street from MHCC Maywood Park Center on NE 102nd and NE Prescott Street.
- Gresham – If this is closer, there’s a drop box at the Gresham Library, located at 385 NW Miller Avenue.
“Ballot drop boxes like these are official and secure places for voters to deposit ballots for receipt at the Multnomah County Elections Division,” Multnomah County Elections spokesperson Eric Sample told East Portland News.
It’s time for action; please vote!
© 2020 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™