It's Election Time: Vote Now!

Paul Evans

Odd-year elections (especially the May election) provide voters an unusually potent power: your vote counts - and it counts more than even-year elections.

In general, most people participate in even-year elections because of so-called "top-of-the-ticket" contests for US President, US Senator, or Governor.

However, in May of odd-years, we elect most of our school board members, special district board members, and an occasional "fill-in-until-the-next-general-election" candidate...

These are critical elections.

Though we focus our attention upon the federal and state levels of government, the fact is that most of us interact with local government far more often than we do with either the US Government or the State of Oregon.

These local leaders are "closest" to the electorate and more likely to engage on issues of concern for our neighborhoods and communities.

After serving at the city level as a councilor and mayor, and serving on our school board - I am a true believer in the power of a community to influence policy for the better through the ballot box.

Good policy still takes passion, patience, and time - but it cannot happen without the public pushing for it. May elections are the drivers for the character of our fire boards, park & recreation boards, school boards, and transit boards.

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their community: fill out your ballot, sign it properly, stamp it, and send it in!

We may never be able to "fix" DC. We may never be satisfied with the policies coming from Salem. But we have only ourselves to blame if we have failing local governments. We can begin reclaiming Our Oregon - today.

By Paul Evans May 11, 2013