CAUSA's 2008 Oregon Election Coverage

Welcome to CAUSA's Election Coverage 2008 from the Oregon Convention Center

8:07pm Not a moment after the Oregon Polls closed, it appears that Senator Barack Obama has struck an historic victory and has been elected President of the United States. The current Electoral Vote count is 324 Obama to 124 McCain.

8:24pm We just heard Senator McCain make his concession speech.

8:39pm KGW is reporting

49% Jeff Merkley (278669 votes)
46% Gordon Smith (260931 votes)
6% Dave Brownlow (31969 votes)

Precincts: 280 of 1000 - 28%
Updated: 11-04-2008 08:40 PM

8:41pm Here is the current numbers on Measure 58, Bill Sizemore's Anti-bilingual Ed Measure

56% No (236405 votes)
44% Yes (188155 votes)
Precincts: 208 of 1000 - 20%
Updated: 11-04-2008 08:31 PM

8:49pm We are now reporting from the Press riser in the Main Convention Hall. We moved from the Defend Oregon room as it was getting crowded. The crowd is waiting in anticipation for Oregon's ballot measure and candidate results, and an address from President Elect Obama.

8:59pm President Elect Obama is addressing the nation. The crowd here in the convention center is extrememly lively.

9:07pm Ballot Measure Update

Ballot Measure 58
54% No (411375 votes)
46% Yes (348551 votes)
Precincts: 376 of 1000 - 37%
Updated: 11-04-2008 09:10 PM

Ballot Measure 60
60% No (371129 votes)
40% Yes (243975 votes)
Precincts: 301 of 1000 - 30%
Updated: 11-04-2008 08:57 PM

9:26pm

• Schrader projected winner for 5th district race
  

9:55pm

The Senate Race in Oregon is still very close:

48% Jeff Merkley (384128 votes)
47% Gordon Smith (377338 votes)
6% Dave Brownlow (45008 votes)
Precincts: 401 of 1000 - 40%
Updated: 11-04-2008 09:50 PM

10:05pm How about those ballot measures?

Oregon voters reject most ballot measures

10:19pm For more complete election results visit KGW

10:40pm Measure 58 and 60 Fails. Other failures include 59, 60, 63 and 65. Those that have passed include 54, 55, 56 and 57. Those still undecided include 61, 62 and 64

10:55pm Apparently Fox 12 is projected Jeff Merkley winner:

Merkley Projected Winner In U.S. Senate Race

Senator Smith is supposed to speak at 11:00pm. Stay Tuned!

11:13pm Looks like those hoping to know how the Smith-Merkley race for U.S. Senate turns out will have to wait until morning.

11:30pm We are going to wrap-up here at the Oregon Convention Center. We will continue to report on the election returns through out the morning.

12:50pm

The National Headlines from the AP:

• Obama makes history; turns to sobering challenges
• Democratic majorities stronger, tougher

Image(s):

Around the Nation:

Anti-Civil Rights Proposition ahead in California

Gay marriage ban leading

A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California led Tuesday, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months...

Senator Dole unseated by Kay Hagan in North Carolina

One race many immigrant rights advocates were watching closely tonight was between Senator Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagan in North Carolina. According to the returns, Hagen easily unseated Senator Dole.

Last month The Sanctuary reported on one of Senator Dole's allies. Apparently Johnston County Sheriff, Steve Bizzell who had a staring role in an anti-immigrant ad Dole was running used some choice words in an article that appeared a Raleigh, N.C. paper. The full story can be found by linking here.

Informative article(s) about the Latino Vote:

• Unprecedented Latino Voter Turnout Plays Critical Role in Early Outcome of the Presidential Election
• Record Breaking Hispanic Vote Can Swing Election
  
  

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Oregon Ballots: Too Late To Mail, Must be hand delivered

That’s right, it is too late to mail your Oregon Ballot. If you didn’t mail it out on Friday, you must now hand deliver it to your local county ballot drop box.

Election Day is tomorrow (Tuesday, November 4th) which means your ballot must be turned in to one of the drop boxes in your county by 8:00pm. For a list of ballot drop box locations in your respective county, please visit this link or go to www.oregonvotes.org

If you still have not received your ballot, you should immediately contact the elections office in the county where you are registered. The contact information for all county elections offices can be found here or by calling the Oregon Secretary of State at 1-866 ORE VOTE or 1-866-673-8683.

CAUSA will be reporting real time returns of the election at our news blog on Tuesday Night. Be sure to join us at www.causaoregon.blogspot.com or by linking off our home page at www.causaoregon.org to get election results and to participate in the discussion.

If you or anyone you know believes they have been a victim of voter suppression and/or voter intimidation tactics, please call 1-866 OUR VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or visit www.866ourvote.org and fill out their online form.

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Anti-immigrant Activists Unveil Initiative for Oregon’s 2008 Ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2007

Contact:
Erik Sorensen, Communications, CAUSA (503) 789-8213
Aeryca Steinbauer, Coordinator, CAUSA (503) 984-6816

Anti-immigrant Activists Unveil Initiative for Oregon’s 2008 Ballot

Broad coalition set to educate voters on the harmful consequences the initiative will have on public safety, civil rights and Oregon’s economy
Salem, OR--Yesterday, during a press conference at the Oregon State Capitol, anti-immigrant activists from Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR) unveiled their omnibus anti-immigrant proposal. Their proposed Initiative Petition #112 titled, “Respect for Law Act”, would require state employees to cooperate with immigration enforcement, would place limitations on voter registration and restrict driving privileges to individuals.

The press conference comes in response to recent approval of IP 112’s ballot title by the Oregon Supreme Court. Proponents now must await certification on the explanation page from the Secretary of State's office before they can begin circulation. In an action alert sent out on Monday, OFIR announced that they hope to begin gathering signatures next week and will mail sheets to their supporters as soon as they get approval. They will need to gather 82,769 valid signatures by July 3, 2008 in order to qualify the measure for the ballot.

IP 112 would not only revoke driver's license access for undocumented immigrants, but require proof of citizenship in order for individuals to register to vote, and force state workers, police, and teachers to enforce immigration laws. In addition to scapegoating immigrants, the measure would disenfranchise and intimidate the elderly, minorities, and low income people-groups that commonly do not have access to documentation. IP 112 is an affront to public safety and would result in an increase in unlicensed, uninsured drivers on the road.

CAUSA and its allies are set to fight the ill-conceived measure by educating Oregonians about its true costs and urging them to decline to sign IP112. CAUSA will also work in broad bi-partisan coalition of organizations and individuals to defeat this measure should it qualify for the ballot. "We are launching a public education campaign to educate Oregonians about the harmful consequences of this measure. Oregonians everywhere should be concerned about its damaging effects on public safety and it’s potential to increase insurance rates.", said Aeryca Steinbauer, Coordinator for CAUSA.

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