Today is primary day and 3.5 million Flori

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Oregon: Westlund signers swell independent voter roles


County Clerks Wait, But Ballots Slow In Coming

By JULIA SILVERMANAssociated Press Writer KATU PORTLAND, Ore. - Jackson County Clerk Kathy Beckett can't help but wonder: Where have all the ballots gone? ... Turnout in Deschutes County is also slower than in was in 2002, county clerk Nancy Blankenship said, coming in at 19.2 percent as of Wednesday. But that county has also been contending with a different wrinkle: It's the home base of State Sen. Ben Westlund, a former Republican who is hoping to collect enough signatures to get on the ballot as an Independent gubernatorial candidate.
The county has seen a surge in voters asking to switch their registration from one of the major parties to Independent-status, Blankenship said, reportedly so they can sign a petition to get Westlund on the ballot, but still be able to vote in nonpartisan primary elections. Just since February, the high-growth county has gained 97 Democrats, 84 Republicans - and 504 independents. ...
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