Voting is an important benefit of being an adult, and the local elections can affect your everyday life.
The US system has different levels of government, with city and county level considered local.
“All ballots are handled at [county] level meaning the county designs and prints the ballots, mails them out, collects them, counts them, etc” said social studies teacher Janell Cinquini.
In Oregon, people can register to vote when they are at least 16, usually once they get their license, but won’t get the ballot until 18.
Once a person turns 18, they will get a voter notification card that will help them register to vote and tell them important information. These cards include what county they’re in and who represents them.
Lake Oswego is primarily in Clackamas County but is also part of Multnomah and Washington counties. So when registering online, make sure you go to the right county’s website.
“I registered online, and it was easy,” said senior Violet Lempert.
In Oregon, the ballots will let you vote for a representative and other measures which may include raising taxes.
“Your vote can result in the passage of local policies,” said history teacher Frank Obiesie.
Upcoming election information is online. The next one will be the primary election, where you choose a candidate within a party, and it will be on May 19.
“Don’t take our democracy for granted,” said history teacher Ryan Inahara. “Take advantage of what you can do in this country. There are other places in the world where the citizens don’t have this right like we do.”
Upcoming election information is online. The next one will be the primary election, where you choose a candidate within a party, and it will be on May 19.
If you want to vote in an election, make sure you are fully registered at least 21 days beforehand.
