Civics Re: Hillary Clinton visit

[kempermentor]

> > Kemper earlier:
> > In my state, Oregon, we get our ballots a couple of weeks before
> > election day.  That way everyone gets the opportunity to vote 
> without
> > losing a day of work or standing in lines that stretch forever.
> > 
> > I'm surprised other states don't adopt our awesome system!

> Tonks:
> I called your state when I was working on Hillary's campaign. Don't 
> you have to take the ballot and drop it off at set places if you 
> didn't mail it ahead. 

Kemper now:
Yes... At libraries open till poles close and at the elections office.
 There are other drop boxes as well.

> Tonks:
> I don't like the idea. I think many people 
> would forget to turn it in. 

Kemper now:
In the '06 election, my county had 69% turnout.  I think half of that
was turned in prior to election day. In the '04 election, we had
84.87% turn out.  I don't know what the national average was for those
elections.  But to me, it seems high.
You can check out my county's results here:
http://tiny.cc/d3Fri

> Tonks:
> In my state we just go somewhere close 
> to where we live and for me at least there are not long lines.

Kemper now:
Unfortunately, that is not everyone's experience.  I was watching on a
news show recently that discussed the hours long wait some voters
experienced in various precincts around the nation (USA). 

Tonks:
>I like that better. Give more of a sense of unity. Like having to do 
> you taxes on April 15th. 

Kemper now:
If waiting in lines to send off your taxes brings a sense of unity,
then there is that here as well for those who wait until the last
minute to turn in their voice and vote.  Realistically, people can
turn in their taxes within 3.5 months.  Oregon allows only a few weeks.

Tonks:
> We want to have a 
> sense of being united as one nation. I like that. 

Kemper now:
I like that too.  But unfortunately, some people are excluded in the
voting process that only allows for one day and limited hours in which
to vote.  Oregon negates that.  Giving voters time to vote or not to vote.

Kemper