The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 9, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Three bills signed by Oregon’s governor August 4th expand Automatic Voter Registration, protect voters who move within the state from losing eligibility, and allow the state to seek federal funding for dropbox security.
Voting Rights Lab reports that Gov. Tina Kotek signed HB 2107, making the Oregon Health Authority one of the state’s automatic voter registration locations. Residents enrolling in the state’s Medicaid programs will also automatically be registered to vote, unless they opt out. Another provision allows citizens registering to vote online to submit an electronic signature.
Governor Kotek also signed SB 166, which protects the eligibility of voters who move within the state. You’ll recall our report last week about Georgia’s purge of registered voters, tens of thousands of whom had only moved within the state and were still eligible, but were disenfranchised in the 2020 and 2022 elections. SB 166 also allows voters who are out of state when ballots are mailed to request ballots earlier.
Since 2000, Oregon votes primarily by mail. But the hyperfocus on dropbox security since 2020 led to the signing of SB 1094, authorizing the state to seek federal funding for live streaming video of dropboxes, as well as in ballot counting facilities.
We have links to the new laws, the history of Oregon’s successful vote by mail system, and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Voting Rights Lab’s “The Markup” – August 7, 2023
Oregon Legislature – Final version of HB 2107
Oregon Legislature – Final version of SB 166
Oregon Legislature – Final version of HB 1094
Bolts – Oregon Wants to Register Medicaid Recipients to Vote. Will Biden Officials Allow It?
Democracy Docket – Former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: Oregon’s Universal Mail-In Voting Transformed Civic Participation. Here’s How
Oregon Secretary of State – Voting in Oregon
Groups Taking Action:
Vote at Home Institute, Next Up Oregon, Coalition of Communities of Color, Disability Rights Oregon,
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