Voting begins today in Oregon's first online primary election.
Nearly 55,000 members of the Independent Party of Oregon are receiving notices in the mail that allow them to log on to the Internet and cast their votes in what is also the state's first primary election for a minor party.
Eighty-six candidates, mostly Democrats and Republicans, are competing to add the Independent label, now that a new law lets candidates list up to three party nominations next to their names on the ballot.
"We had an overwhelming amount of interest from candidates," said Linda Williams, chairwoman of the Independent Party of Oregon. "A virtual convention or virtual election seemed far more inclusive and far-reaching than a one-day convention."
The online election opens at 8 this morning and closes at 5 p.m. July 30, with results announced immediately. Williams said she hopes to see at least 10 percent of the party membership take part in the voting and the party's online survey. The Independent Party represents about 2.7 percent of the state's registered voters -- larger than all the state's other minor parties combined.
Party members receive a pass code that gives them access to an individually designed ballot with races for governor, U.S. representative, state senator and state representative. Former Gov. John Kitzhaber, Soloflex founder Jerry Wilson and photographer Richard Esterman are all seeking the party's nomination for governor.
In lieu of a voter pamphlet, the online ballots list the candidates' websites under their names. After voting, members will receive receipt numbers that allow them to log in and find out whether their ballot has been counted. Once the three-week election window opens, no one will be able to access the votes. After the deadline, a group of election officials provides individual passwords that trigger the tallying of the votes.
Williams said she expects the election to cost less than $20,000. The online component was developed by Everyone Counts Inc., a San Diego-based company that has provided remote electronic voting for military personnel and governments in other countries.
The party had planned to send reminder postcards to members and provide a telephone voting option, but Williams said the costs were too high.
Instead, most of the cost for this election has been covered by the party's officers, who are hoping the election will help jump-start new donations.
Sal Peralta, the party's secretary, said the election is the most "open and inclusive primary election in Oregon's history" since it provides an opportunity for candidates from all political affiliations to compete for the party's nomination and gives members a chance to vote for candidates with vastly different values and life experiences.
At the same time, the party also is using the election as a way to get feedback from members on issues that are important to them. Peralta said that information will help the party draft its legislative agenda.
The party, which formed in 2006 and was recognized by the state in 2007, largely has focused on election and campaign-finance reform. Williams said she hopes the process will lead to more collaboration in exploring election reform.
"I hope that some folks who use the Independent nomination and succeed would be interested in our member surveys," Williams said. "Even if a handful use that platform to communicate with Independents and work in a bipartisan way with the party on some good government issues, it will be a successful step forward for the party."
-- Kim Melton
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