70th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--1999 Regular Session
 
 

House Bill 3163

Sponsored by Representative ROSENBAUM (at the request of

Northwest Democracy Institute and Oregonians for Fair and Equal

Representation)
 
 

SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

Establishes Commission on Voting and Citizen Participation.
Directs commission to study ways to increase voter participation.
Requires biennial report to Governor and report to each regular
session of Legislative Assembly.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Commission on Voting and Citizen Participation; and
appropriating money.
Whereas Oregon's 1998 elections were the most expensive and
least attended in Oregon's history; and
Whereas low voter turnout threatens to undermine the legitimacy
of elected government; and
Whereas Oregon is growing in terms of ethnic diversity; and
Whereas nonaffiliated voters are the fastest growing segment of
the voting population and are a majority of younger voters; and
Whereas Oregon's legislature and government are not
proportionately representative of women, people of color,
nonaffiliated voters and voters who support 'minor' political
parties; and
Whereas many legislative races are not contested by both major
parties or are won by landslides; and
Whereas redistricting has an impact on elections; now,
therefore,

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. { + (1) It is declared to be the policy and intent
of the Legislative Assembly that the Commission on Voting and
Citizen Participation is created to study the issue of declining
voter participation in Oregon.

(2) The commission shall make biennial recommendations to the
Governor and shall report to each regular session of the
Legislative Assembly. + }

SECTION 2. { + (1) The Commission on Voting and Citizen
Participation shall consist of 11 members appointed by the
Governor and confirmed by the Senate pursuant to section 4,
Article III, Oregon Constitution.

(2) Commission members shall serve three-year terms.

(3) Commission members shall elect a chairperson and vice
chairperson.

(4) A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business.

(5) Commission members shall be paid compensation and expenses
as provided in ORS 292.495 from such funds as may be available to
the commission. + }

SECTION 3. { + Members appointed to the Commission on Voting
and Citizen Participation under section 2 of this 1999 Act shall
include the following:

(1) A representative from each political party qualified on a
statewide basis under ORS 248.006 or 248.008;

(2) A representative of the office of the Secretary of State;

(3) A county clerk or county official in charge of elections;

(4) Representatives from nonprofit organizations that have as
their purpose the promotion of voter participation and
participation in government;

(5) A representative who is not registered to vote;

(6) A representative who is registered as not affiliated with
any political party; and

(7) A representative between 18 and 25 years of age. + }

SECTION 4. { + The Commission on Voting and Citizen
Participation shall study proposals for increasing voter
participation and make recommendations to the Governor and
Legislative Assembly. The areas of study shall include, but not
be limited to:

(1) Modifications to voter registration procedures;

(2) Voting reforms such as proportional representation and
instant runoff voting;

(3) Publicly financed elections;

(4) Candidate debates that include a wider range of candidates;

(5) Methods to encourage election campaigns to focus on public
policy issues; and

(6) Methods to encourage broad participation by a cross section
of citizens in state and local government. + }

SECTION 5. { + The Commission on Voting and Citizen
Participation may employ an executive director and other staff as
may be necessary to carry out its functions. The commission may
also establish special committees as it considers necessary. + }

SECTION 6. { + (1) There is created a Commission on Voting and
Citizen Participation Account in the General Fund of the State
Treasury. All moneys in the account are continuously appropriated
for and shall be used by the Commission on Voting and Citizen
Participation to carry out its purposes.

(2) All gifts and grants received by the commission or by the
state for purposes of the commission shall be deposited in the
account. + }

SECTION 7. { + Notwithstanding the term of office specified by
section 2 of this 1999 Act, of the members first appointed to the
Commission on Voting and Citizen Participation:

(1) Four shall serve for terms ending January 1, 2001.

(2) Four shall serve for terms ending January 1, 2002.

(3) Three shall serve for terms ending January 1, 2003. + }

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