State of Oregon Archives: on Government Reform
Bob Niemeyer:
Go back to voting in person, with verified photo ID
The voting age in America was lowered to 18 the same year I turned 18. I was asked to be part of the voting process. After everyone had voted, there was an overwhelming sense of having done our Patriotic Duty. We need to go back to voting in person at
the precincts across Oregon. If only to revive the sense of Patriotic Duty. My vision for a voter system is:- Use the DMV to create the voter rolls. (WITH PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP). The DMV has the know how to make photo ID's and print them.
-
Use Facial Recognition systems to make sure that people do not have more than one voter ID.
- A person that does not have their photo ID could present some other form of ID that would bring their picture up for a visual verification check and facial
recognition check.
- We could use scanning technology that already exist for counting the ballots. The same scanning technology used in our schools to grade tests. The ballots would be counted after the close of voting.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website, BobNiemeyer.com
Oct 9, 2015
Bud Pierce:
Mandate government to release requested info for free
Q: How would you improve transparency in government?
PIERCE: Mandate that the governor's office, and all government agencies, release requested information to the press and citizens at no financial cost.
Source: League of Women Voters Guide to 2016 Oregon Senate race
Sep 9, 2016
Casey Kulla:
Transportation needs infrastructure & innovative thinking
For Oregonians to be free to be socially mobile they must be able to get to the places they live, work, shop, play, and receive medical care. Ensuring multiple modes of transportation are available to everyone will take investment in infrastructure,
zoning code changes, and innovative thinking, but it is vital: everyone should have the chance to get from place to place safely, and an equitable transportation system considers the safety of all road users while prioritizing the users most at risk.
Source: 2021 OR Governor campaign website KullaForOregon.com
Aug 30, 2021
Christine Drazan:
Get the government off the backs of our small businesses
I will fight for lower taxes for families and businesses and streamline regulations that make it expensive to build everything from new housing to new factories. I will support critical industries like timber, trucking, and manufacturing.
We will invest in job training and technical education programs. And we will get the government off the backs of our small businesses by reining in our state agencies and anti-business regulatory environment.
Source: 2022 Oregon Governor campaign website ChristineForOregon.com
Mar 3, 2022
Christine Drazan:
Establish a permanent task force on election integrity
- Ban ballot harvesting.
- Support a constitutional amendment establishing an independent redistricting commission.
- Direct the attorney general to investigate any allegations of voter fraud and to prosecute confirmed cases.
-
Increase penalties for those found guilty of defrauding our elections.
- Establish a permanent task force on election integrity to examine vulnerabilities in our system.
- Require audits of our elections when evidence of irregularities exist.
Source: 2022 Oregon Governor campaign website ChristineForOregon.com
Mar 3, 2022
Gordon Harold Smith:
Increase individuals campaign donation limit
Smith supports the following principles regarding Campaign Finance and Government Reform:- Support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
-
Support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations.
Source: Oregon Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jun 18, 2008
Jason Beebe:
Remove overbearing COVID restrictions on businesses
I am doing everything I can to advocate for removing regulations imposed by our state government, which includes looking under every rock to find a solution for our businesses. I want to be clear that I am not encouraging citizens or businesses
to defy state law. What I am trying to do is get these overbearing restrictions removed so that we can live our lives with the liberties and freedoms guaranteed to us by our Constitution and fought and sacrificed for by generations of Americans.
Source: KTVZ News-21 on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Mar 19, 2021
Jeff Merkley:
Spending limits on campaigns, plus full disclosure
Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
A: Yes.
Q:
Would you vote to ratify an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring an annual balanced federal budget?
A: No.
Q: Do you support using vote-by-mail for all elections?
A: Yes.
Source: Oregon State 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Jeff Merkley:
Nuclear option: Allow confirmation of Obama's appointees
Ever since they arrived in the Senate, Jeff Merkley and Tom Udall have had one huge, seemingly insurmountable goal: To change Senate rules on the filibuster. On Thursday, they won."This is a terrific vote for the US Senate," said Merkley. "The
American people want this institution to function. They want to see it take on the big issues. They don't want to see the entire calendar of the year eaten up by paralyzing process on nominations."
Filibuster reform has long been a marquee issue for
Merkley (OR) & Udall (NM), who are part of a new breed of Senate reformers who have never served in the minority. Now, they're looking to expand their change to filibuster rules governing legislation--but that's going to be a much harder sell.
Critics
of the two first-term senators say they led a movement they don't even understand--they have only served in the majority, longtime GOP senators charge, and don't appreciate ways that the filibuster has been used to the benefit of the country in the past.
Source: Politico.com coverage of 2014 Oregon Senate race
Nov 21, 2013
Jeff Merkley:
We the People democracy: extend vote to DC & territories
Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Tom Udall have introduced bills designed to create what Merkley refers to as "We the People" democracy. With Udall, he's proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College and a plan to establish a
commission to develop proposals for providing citizens of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories of Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands with full voting representation in Congress.
The latter proposal is vital for a country that began with a revolt against colonialism. It is shocking, at this late stage in the American experiment, that roughly 4 million US citizens are denied voting representation in Congress. Merkley knows there
will be pushback from Republicans, and perhaps even from some within his own party. But he reminds us that "we need real, equal representation if we want a government that responds to the big issues impacting working families' lives."
Source: The Nation, "Electoral College," on 2020 Oregon Senate race
Apr 8, 2019
Jo Rae Perkins:
12-year term limits; no more career politicians
Key Messages:- I support term limits, 12 years maximum in Congress. No more career politicians
- I will work to shrink the size of the federal government agencies.
This should lead to curtailing out of control spending and reduce the over reach of those agencies.
- I support Medical Freedom, am Pro life and Pro 2nd Amendment.
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 Oregon Senate race
May 20, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Only people who can vote for candidate can donate
I might favor a bill whereby only people who can vote for a candidate can contribute to the candidate. Business PACs would only be able to contribute if they have an employee who can vote for a candidate.
Union PACs could only donate if there are union employees who can vote for a candidate and they stipulate that candidate. The amounts PACs could contribute would be based upon the number of employees who can vote for the candidate receiving the funds.
Source: Vote Smart Oregon Congressional 2018 NPAT
Nov 1, 2018
Jo Rae Perkins:
Don't allow tolling on Federal Roads
Toll Roads: I will pressure the Department of Transportation to not allow tolling on Federal Roads.
You already pay for the maintenance of all federal highways and freeways, through federal gas taxes.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com
Aug 17, 2020
John Kitzhaber:
Limit individual campaign donations; require full disclosure
Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates? - Q: Individual ?
A: Yes. - Q: PAC ?
A: Yes. - Q: Corporate ?
A: Yes. - Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
A: Yes.
Source: Oregon Gubernatorial 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Kate Brown:
Oregon sees high turnout because of vote-by-mail
On average, 51.6% of eligible US voters cast ballots, but six states averaged more than 60%, including Oregon. Oregon is one of two states that employ a vote-by-mail only system. "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we see high turnout because
of vote-by-mail," says Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown. "It's extremely convenient and accessible; it's secure and cost-effective."Oregonians passed a referendum in 1998 to institute the vote-by-mail system--with almost 70% approval.
Secretary Brown rejects the criticism that mail-in ballots diminish the sense of civic engagement people may feel standing in line with their fellow citizens on Election Day. She says Oregonians have block parties and talk to their neighbors; issues
are discussed in churches and synagogues. "Civic engagement is much more meaningful and expansive when you have a ballot in hand for 2-1/2 weeks," Brown says. "Election Day is not just one day--it's several."
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 6, 2012
Kate Brown:
15 million ballots via vote-by-mail with only 9 fraud cases
Oregon is one of two states that employ a vote-by-mail only system. Voters receive an information pamphlet three weeks before the election, followed a few days later by their ballots.
A criticism of mail-in ballots is that there is more opportunity for voter fraud. Since 2000, 15 million ballots have been cast by mail in Oregon, but there have been only nine convictions of voter fraud,
Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown says. The state takes extensive measures to ensure that ballots are secure: each envelope has a unique barcode, election officials verify every signature,
and there are cameras in every election office to monitor the counting. People can also check online to make sure their ballot was counted.
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Nov 6, 2012
Kate Brown:
Disclose lobbyist info & pay, on public website
Q: How would you improve transparency in government?BROWN: Bringing greater transparency to State government is one of my highest priorities. In the most recent legislative session, I am proud to have passed a bill requiring lobbyists to
disclose on a publicly available website who they work for and what they are getting paid to do that work. One of the first things I did after being sworn in as Governor was to pass an ethics package designed to bring both
more accountability and more transparency to our government. But I know that there is more work to do. I believe strongly that it shouldn't be easier to [track] a Fed Ex package than it is to find
out what your government is doing. That is why I intend to create a Pubic Records Advocate--so that an independent entity can make public records available in a way that is faster, fairer and consistent.
Source: League of Women Voters Guide to 2016 Oregon Governor race
Sep 9, 2016
Kevin Mannix:
Fix budget with government structure change not tax hike
Oregonians should oppose the January 2003 income tax increase measure because it simply pumps more income into government without changing the way government does business and it will further deepen Oregon's recession.
As Oregon's new Governor, in January, I will collaborate with the legislature to implement emergency structural changes to fill the budget gap without raising taxes, without hurting education for our kids, and without endangering our neighborhoods.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, MannixForOregon.org, "Budget"
Oct 15, 2002
Kevin Stine:
Allow absentee ballots for all; extend early voting
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?
A: Strongly support. We should make access easier nationwide. Allow absentee ballots for all that request them. Every state should have extended early voting.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 1, 2016
Knute Buehler:
End pay-to-play politics, to restore confidence
Rep. Buehler, said that he plans to introduce legislation restricting pay-to-play politics--a scenario in which businesses, nonprofits or labor unions holding contracts with the state give campaign contributions to elected officials with sway over those
contracts. Buehler told The Oregonian/OregonLive that some businesses or unions are "too cozy" with elected officials who oversee their contracts. He said its "clear" that pay-to-play "loopholes" ought to be closed."
Source: The Oregonian on 2018 Oregon Governor race
Feb 13, 2017
Mark Callahan:
Limit terms in Congress & the U.S. Senate
I support term limits. When our country was founded, those that served in Congress started out as successful business owners or members invested in their communities.
After time, the community members would come to them and say, "it's your turn", and the community member would serve a limited term in
Congress or the U.S. Senate, then come home and re-integrate themselves back into their community or run their business again. In present day, there are career politicians that have been in
Congress for 20, 30, or even 40 years, that literally have nothing to come back to in terms of their life before they served in Congress.
Source: 2016 Oregon Senate campaign website, CallahanForOregon.com
Oct 9, 2015
Monica Wehby:
Founders never imagined a permanent political class
The problem with career politicians is that they become so out of touch that they lose the ability to relate to every day Americans. It's time for a return to a problem solvers approach, an approach our nation was founded upon. Five physicians signed
the Declaration of Independence. Josiah Bartlett was a renowned innovator in the field of medicine and is also considered one of the chief architects of the US Constitution. Our founding fathers intended that we elect people to office who have excelled
in non-political fields and who can bring their experience, knowledge and talents to a deliberative body for the betterment of every day Americans.The founders didn't add term limits to the constitution because they never imagined that we would
create a permanent political class. Serving in office was considered a sacrifice. When you got the job done you returned to your family. That's why Dr. Wehby supports a two-term limit for US Senators. Twelve years is enough time to get the job done.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, MonicaForOregon.com, "Issues"
Mar 18, 2014
Paul Romero:
Supports term limits & budget transparency
Let's keep this simple--- Term Limits Across the Board
- Transparency of State and Federal Budgets
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website Romero4Oregon.com
Dec 23, 2019
Paul Romero:
Protect ranchers & farmers, and manage timber land
Let's keep this simple--- Protect Ranchers & Farmers, OUR Food Supply
- #TIMBER UNITY Proper Land Management by all parties, US Forest Service, BLM
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website Romero4Oregon.com
Dec 23, 2019
Paul Romero:
For term limits up to 12 years
As for Congress, he wants to limit its members to two six-year terms for senators and six two-year terms for representatives. "The longer you're in I think the more likely you are to be corrupted, and if you look how many people are millionaires now but
weren't when they went into office, is it because they own a business and that business made them wealthy? No. That's a problem, and it's right there in broad daylight in front of God and everybody," he said.
Source: The News-Review on 2020 Oregon Senate race
Sep 20, 2019
Ron Wyden:
Expand early voting, no excuse absentee vote by mail
Senators Ron Wyden & Amy Klobuchar announced The Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act, which would expand early in-person voting and extend "no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail" to all states. The bill would specifically "ensure that voters in
all states have 20 days of early in-person voting and no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail and ensure states begin processing votes cast during early voting or by mail 14 days before Election Day to avoid delays in counting votes on Election Day."
Source: Breitbart News on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Apr 7, 2020
Ron Wyden:
Protect voting rights with early voting, mail-in ballots
Sen. Amy Klobuchar said, "While President Trump was in the White House ordering a mail-in ballot people in Wisconsin are standing in garbage bags with masks, standing in line having to choose between their health and their right to vote. Now nearly 20
of them are sick, including a poll worker. We can't let that happen in November. That's why Ron Wyden and I are pushing for our bill with the support of civil rights groups, to keep pushing to make sure that we have both vote by mail and early voting."
Source: ABC This Week on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Apr 26, 2020
Tate Reeves:
Will advocate for Oregon's voting innovations nationally
We must expand our automatic voter registration program, to include other state agencies who have the capacity to fully capture eligible voters' data safely and securely. We should allow same-day voter registration and ballots to be counted as long as
they've been postmarked by election day. I will advocate for Oregon's innovations in voting to be implemented at the national level. Automatic Voter Registration and Vote by Mail should be available to every citizen in this country.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Oregon legislature
Jan 21, 2021
Tina Kotek:
Supported gerrymandered Congressional map
To ensure Democrats' gerrymandered map moved forward, Kotek assigned two Democrats and only one Republican to the congressional committee.
And despite widespread public testimony from Oregonians opposing the congressional boundaries, House Democrats did not make a single change to the map.
Source: The Oregonian on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race
May 30, 2019
Winona LaDuke:
Stop corporate funding of elections
"We can't have corporations underwrite our elections process," she said, adding, "it is also a question of ethics for the politicians."
Source: U-wire article, "Native Week at Oregon State"
May 23, 2000
Betsy Johnson:
Get regulations out of the way to fast-track construction
End Oregon's politician-created housing supply crisis so every Oregonian of any income level can afford to live here. Oregon needs to build 580,000 new housing units over the next two decades just to close our housing supply deficit and keep
up with population growth. I will get the politicians and outdated rules, regulations, and fees out of the way so we can fast-track construction and reduce the cost of building all types of housing options.
Source: 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website RunBetsyRun.com
Oct 6, 2022
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026