Doing Democracy Oregon Style (and a special announcement)

Caitlin Baggott

In a few weeks the Bus Project will tip back a glass of Oregon pinot for our 10th birthday. And we’ll raise a few more at The Wheelies for the remarkable activists, campaigns, bi-partisan and innovative policy initiatives, and public-spirited businesses that have made Oregon marvelous in the last couple years.*

Today I’m thrilled to announce one special Wheelie Award first here on Blue Oregon.

This year, the Oregon Legend Award goes to a handful of citizens who have pioneered a role for our state as a national leader in democracy. Secretary of State Kate Brown will join the Bus in recognizing Oregon’s four living Secretaries of State for their groundbreaking work to make Oregon one of the most engaged, open, and innovative democracies in the nation.

“It is my honor to present this year’s Legend award,” says Brown. “It is my mission as Secretary of State to engage all Oregonians in the political process. The Bus Project has been a great ally in this work especially in reaching young Oregonians whom I hope will become life-long voters.”

The United States has struggled to bring full democracy to all citizens. The impulse to decide who gets to vote is as old as the revolutionary idea that everyone ought to have a voice. Historically, and in America today, calculated and committed efforts to keep poor people, people of color, women, and young people from voting have taken many forms. A strong anti-voting movement is underway now.

In Oregon, the tide has often gone the other way. And we owe thanks to Norma Paulus, Barbara Roberts, Phil Kiesling, and Bill Bradbury for their monumental work.

• Norma Paulus (SOS 1977-1985) was the first woman to win election to a statewide office. She ensured secure elections by preventing the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh from swaying a local election by importing voters.
• Barbara Roberts (SOS 1985-1991) passed election reforms, and worked closely with the county clerks all around Oregon to create ADA accessible polling places.
• Phil Kiesling (SOS 1991-1999) was Oregon’s knight in shining armor for vote by mail, and remains an advocate for open elections.
• Bill Bradbury (SOS 1999-2009) increased elections transparency by hosting ORESTAR reporting for campaign spending and contributions, and was SOS when 17 year old pre-registration passed (which the Bus supported) in 2007.

Oregon is an incredibly special place because of these leaders, and their contributions to what I think of as Oregon-style democracy.

What is Oregon-style democracy?

Oregon-style democracy is about unflinching transparency, a steadfast commitment to citizen involvement, an appetite to make our elections work for everyone – and to make them work better each year. That’s what Paulus, Roberts, Kiesling, and Bradbury fought to give us, and what Secretary Brown moves forward still today.

I hope all of us can take a minute to cheer the contributions of these leaders, and how lucky we are to live in a state that fights for these kinds of values. It will be a huge honor to have them all at The Wheelies (And I really hope to see you all there on October 10th!)

By Caitlin Baggott Sept. 26, 2011