Oregon

Ballot fiasco delays results in Oregon, vote-by-mail pioneer

Published

3 years ago

May 20, 2022

Ballot fiasco delays results in Oregon, vote-by-mail pioneer

OREGON CITY, Ore. — 1000’s of ballots with blurry barcodes that may’t be learn by vote-counting machines will delay outcomes by weeks in a key U.S. Home race in Oregon’s main election, a stunning growth that’s giving a black eye to a vote-by-mail pioneer state with a nationwide popularity as a frontrunner on voter entry and fairness.

The fiasco impacts as much as 60,000 ballots, or two-thirds of the roughly 90,000 returned to this point in Oregon’s third-largest county. Tons of of ballots have been nonetheless coming in below a brand new regulation that permits them to be counted so long as they’re postmarked by Election Day, and 200 Clackamas County workers have been getting a crash course Thursday in vote-counting after being redeployed to deal with the disaster.

Elections staff should pull the defective ballots from batches of 125, switch the voter’s intent to a contemporary poll, then double-check their entries — a painstaking course of that would draw the election out till June 13, when Oregon certifies its vote. The employees function in pairs, one Democrat and one Republican, in two shifts of 11 hours a day.

Voters from each political events milled about in a slim room with home windows that allowed views of staff opening ballots, transferring votes, reviewing flagged ballots and utilizing the vote-counting machines. They expressed shock at the error and anger on the gradual response by embattled Elections Clerk Sherry Corridor, who has held the elected submit for practically 20 years. By Wednesday evening, staff had counted 15,649.

“It blows my thoughts,” Ron Smith, a Clackamas County voter, mentioned. “It’s a bit of bit questionable. That’s why I’m right here. … With all that’s occurring, we don’t want further suspicion. It looks like one thing like that may have been examined appropriately at the start of this entire complete course of.”

Observers converse with Clackamas County Elections Clerk Sherry Corridor, proper, as election staff overview ballots on Thursday, Might 19, 2022, Oregon Metropolis, Ore.

The debacle has shocked Oregon, the place all ballots have been solid solely by mail for 23 years and lawmakers have constantly pushed to broaden voter entry by means of computerized voter registration, expanded deadlines and different measures. It’s additionally thrown into query a key U.S. Home race in a redrawn district that features a massive portion of Clackamas County, which stretches practically 2,000 sq. miles, from Portland’s liberal southern suburbs to rural conservative communities on the flanks of Mount Hood.

Within the Democratic main for Oregon’s fifth Congressional District, seven-term Rep. Kurt Schrader, a reasonable, was trailing within the vote behind progressive challenger Jamie McLeod-Skinner. The end result might have an outsized influence in November, with the chance that voters might flip the seat for the GOP.

Corridor mentioned the issue got here to gentle Might 3, when staff put the primary ballots returned by means of the vote-counting machine. About 70 or 80 ballots from every batch of 125 have been spit out as unreadable as a result of their barcodes have been extra faint and barely blurred. It was too late to print and mail new ballots, she mentioned.

As Election Day approached and ballots stacked up, Corridor mentioned she allowed elections staff to take the weekend off as a result of simply three individuals signed as much as work Saturday or Sunday. “We have now individuals principally between the ages of 70 and 85” and so they want relaxation, she mentioned.

An election worker examines a ballot at the Clackamas County Elections office. — An election employee examines a poll on the Clackamas County Elections workplace.

The secretary of state’s workplace mentioned Corridor declined assist, saying Clackamas County might deal with the scenario. Corridor instructed The Related Press a number of county staff have been assigned to the poll drawback Might 11, per week after it surfaced.

Kathy Selvaggio, who lives within the county’s extra city and prosperous suburbs, peered by means of the home windows Thursday to observe the vote tally.

“Mail-in voting works, it really works properly right here, nevertheless it does undermine my religion in (Corridor),” mentioned Selvaggio, who was there as a volunteer for the McLeod-Skinner marketing campaign.

Corridor mentioned her division has mentioned operating take a look at ballots from the printer earlier than they have been mailed out, however that her workplace had used the printer in query for 10 years with no points.

“There’s plenty of different duties to do,” Corridor, who’s up for reelection in November, instructed AP. “I hate the truth that this occurred with our ballots. It’s horrible. We have to be constructing belief with voters and this isn’t a reliable piece, however we’re doing what we are able to.”

It’s not the primary time Corridor has come below fireplace in her elections position. In 2012, a brief election employee was sentenced to 90 days in jail after admitting she tampered with two ballots. In 2014, Corridor was criticized for utilizing the phrase “Democrat Get together” — a pejorative utilized by Republicans to demean Democrats — on a main poll as a substitute of Democratic Get together.

Clackamas County Elections Clerk Sherry Hall speaks at the office on Thursday, May 19, 2022, Oregon City, Ore. — Clackamas County Elections Clerk Sherry Corridor speaks on the workplace on Thursday, Might 19, 2022, Oregon Metropolis, Ore.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan mentioned she is “deeply involved” by the newest scenario and her workplace issued an announcement Tuesday calling the delay “unacceptable.” However state elections officers mentioned Thursday that that they had little authority over native county elections officers.

“The independence of county clerks is a crucial a part of the electoral system and for now we’re centered on supporting them,” mentioned company spokesman Ben Morris.

State regulation doesn’t require county elections officers to run proof ballots by means of their machines earlier than mailing them.

Christopher Stout, an affiliate professor of political science at Oregon State College, mentioned he wouldn’t be stunned to see laws to alter that.

“I feel all of those issues, in fact, are unhealthy within the brief time period,” he mentioned. “However in the long run, they’ll result in enhancements, as a result of individuals will see that these issues are issues and so they’ll discover methods to make it higher.”

Former Oregon Home Minority Chief Christine Drazan was intently watching outcomes trickle in from throughout the state Tuesday evening. She was finally declared the winner within the GOP gubernatorial main the following evening.

“I had understood going into election evening that Clackamas County knew that this was a problem,” Drazan mentioned. “So the truth that we weren’t fairly there on election evening was only a indisputable fact that we needed to settle for and study extra about how the county was going to reply to that.”

She mentioned voters involved concerning the integrity of the method ought to come watch it in individual.

“It ought to have been addressed earlier with this stage of urgency, nevertheless it’s fairly uncommon to have a printing drawback like this,” Drazan mentioned.

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Oregon

Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning Gives Injury Update on Jordan Burch, Marcus Harper II, Tez Johnson

Published

48 mins ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning Gives Injury Update on Jordan Burch, Marcus Harper II, Tez Johnson

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks are on the precipice of completing their second undefeated regular season in school history, and as Duck fans begin to dust off their 2010 “12-O” t-shirts, Oregon coach Dan Lanning talked to the media in his weekly pregame press conference before the Ducks take on their rival the Washington Huskies. One of the biggest concerns coming off a late bye week is the injury status of certain star players. When asked about the current injury status of senior defensive end Jordan Burch and offensive lineman Marcus Harper II at the end of his presser, Lanning kept things brief.

“I think time will tell,” Lanning said. “Just like I’ve always told you guys, when guys are ready to be out there on the field we’ll see them.”

It’s a similar response from the one’s Lanning has given all season, not wanting to give too much away before kickoff. With their “next man up” mentality, both Burch and Harper’s positions have been temporarily filled by defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei and offensive linemen Dave Iuli and Kawika Rogers respectively.

Oregon defensive back Brandon Johnson celebrates a defensive touchdown after a fumble forced by Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch as the Oregon Ducks host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of the most positive signs on the injury front for the Ducks leading up to their rivalry game against the Huskies came from senior wide receiver Tez Johnson. Johnson, who suffered a right shoulder injury during Oregon’s win at Michigan on Nov. 2, posted an Instagram story Tuesday, Nov. 19 going into the bye weekend. Johnson also changed his Instagram profile picture from Dragon Ball Z character “Goku” in a healing cryo-chamber to a picture of himself kneeling on the field of Michigan’s “Big House” in the “Warp Speed” all-white Oregon jersey, implying he is back from recovery.

When asked about the injury during an earlier interview, Lanning avoided addressing Johnson’s social media activity. His response may seem familiar to the one given at his weekly presser.

“Yeah, I’m not going to talk about injuries,” Lanning said. “You guys will see them on the field when they’re ready to go.”

Harper, an essential piece to Oregon’s interior trench protection at right guard, left the Michigan game as well but during the fourth quarter with a left knee injury and has been out for almost the same amount of time as Johnson. Lanning stated later on that both Harper and Johnson’s injuries were not “as bad as maybe they appeared on the field.”

Oregon running back Noah Whittington (6) is lifted by offensive lineman Marcus Harper II (55) to celebrate a touchdown against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As for Burch, he’s been in and out throughout the season, missing a total of four games. His first gap from play came during practice before Oregon’s win against Ohio State at Autzen Stadium. Burch went down with a foot injury. His second injury came against Maryland with an ankle issue and Burch has since missed Oregon’s win against Wisconsin.

Beyond these three athletes, the rest of Oregon’s injuries have been season-long. Offensive lineman transfer Matthew Bedford has missed the entire season with a left knee injury and has no promise to return even though he was expected to be a starter this season. Lanning has also confirmed wide receiver Kyler Kasper and defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner are both out indefinitely.

Oregon kicks off against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m. PS.

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Oregon

Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks Holding Off Ohio State Buckeyes for No.1 Spot

Published

9 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks Holding Off Ohio State Buckeyes for No.1 Spot

The Oregon Ducks had a bye over the weekend. They hold on to the top spot in the Big Ten Power Rankings even after Ohio States’ dominating performance over Indiana.

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James (20) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks had a bye week as they get ready for their rivalry matchup vs. Washington on Saturday. The No.1 team in the land remains on top.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Washington

Ohio State showed that are the clear cut No. 2 team in the Big Ten with their 38-15 win over Indiana. If Ohio State can beat Michigan next week, they will get another crack at Oregon in the Big Ten Title Game.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Michigan

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Penn State squeaked out a 26-25 win over Minnesota on the road. The Golden Gophers have been playing well, so this was not an easy game by any means. If the Nittany Lions can beat Maryland next week, they will likely be hosting a College Football Playoff home game in round one.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Maryland

Indiana got a reality check on Saturday. They got throttled by Ohio State 38-15 and are clearly not on the level of the top teams in the Big Ten. However, if they win their final game vs. Purdue, they will be 11-1 and in a good position to get into the playoff.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Purdue

The Illini have rebounded after their two game losing skid. Illinois has beaten Michigan State and Rutgers in back to back weeks. They have proven to be the fifth-best team in the Big Ten all season long.

Next Game: 11/30 at Northwestern

Nov 23, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Year in and year out, Iowa is one of the most consistent teams in the country. The Hawkeyes have not finished below .500 in the regular season under coach Kirk Ferentz since 2000. Here they are again with 7 wins heading into the last week of the regular season.

Next Game: 11/29 vs. Nebraska

Minnesota is addicted to playing in one possession games. The Golden Gophers have played seven one-score games and have a record of 3-4 in those games. They are what their record says they are.

Next Game: 11/29 at Wisconsin

Washington had a bye this week. Can they shock the world at Oregon on Saturday? They have already clinched a bowl game berth under coach Jedd Fisch’s first year as a Husky.

Next Game: 11/30 at Oregon

USC defeated rival UCLA 19-13. The Trojans may be 6-5 on the season, but are 2-0 with Jayden Maiava at quarterback. They have avoided the complete disaster of missing out on a bowl game in 2024.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Notre Dame

Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) runs the ball on a kick off return against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Wolverines curb stomped Northwestern 50-6, and it got them back into the top ten. This is a very average football team, but their toughness and rushing attack allow them to beat up on inferior teams.

Next Game: 11/30 at Ohio State

Dropped from Rankings: Rutgers