Court orders Secretary of State to publish Oregon GOP statement in Voters' Pamphlet

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Attorney Argues that it’s in Voter’s Best Interest to Include Statement

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UPDATED 9/14/20, 8:30 PM to include a press release from Secretary of State Bev Clarno.

Press Release from Oregon GOP

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Republican Party released the statement below following today’s ruling by the Marion County Circuit Court ordering the Secretary of State to include the Oregon Republican Party statement in the 2020 general election voters’ pamphlet, which is sent to every household in Oregon prior to receiving their ballots.

“I was very pleased to see that Judge Channing Bennett had fully reviewed all of the materials submitted by both sides and carefully considered our arguments before making his ruling,” said Kevin Mannix, attorney for the Oregon Republican Party in this case.

Mannix argued successfully that public policy, pursuant to ORS 247.005, supports allowing of the publishing of the voters’ pamphlet statement in this case so that voters have full access to information prior to casting their ballot.

“I appreciate that the court noted that the party had completed uploading the voter pamphlet statement prior to 5 pm and that the timing of the credit card payment processing was at issue,” stated Oregon Republican Party Chairman Bill Currier.

“We are pleased that today’s decision by the court will allow voters to compare the statements of the Republican Party with the Democrat Party side by side,” said Currier.  “Being able to review each party’s principles and values before voting is clearly in the best interests of Oregon’s voters.”  (The full text of the statement is here)

About Oregon GOP
The Oregon Republican Party is the state’s arm of the Republican National Committee. Its Chairman and officers are dedicated to promoting Republican principles within the state of Oregon and to improving the lives and livelihoods of Oregon’s working families through economic freedom and equal protection under the law.

Press Release from the Office of Bev Clarno, Oregon Secretary of State.

Secretary of State Bev Clarno Responds to Circuit Court Ruling on Voters' Pamphlet

SALEM, Ore. - In light of today’s decision by the Marion County Circuit Court, Secretary of State Bev Clarno has announced she will accept the Voters’ Pamphlet statement from the Oregon Republican Party that was filed after the 5 p.m. deadline on August 25.

All political parties are afforded an equal opportunity to include a statement in the Voters’ Pamphlet, but are required to file the statement before the deadline. As the court’s opinion did not fully answer the legal questions surrounding this filing deadline, the Secretary will appeal the ruling for administrative clarity. As this appeal runs its course, it will not affect this year’s Voters’ Pamphlet, which will include the Oregon Republican Party’s statement.

“I have asked my team to ensure the Oregon Republican Party’s statement is printed in the Voters’ Pamphlet for November’s General Election,” said Secretary Clarno. “At the same time, I still believe 5 p.m. is 5 p.m. and we will appeal the ruling to ensure there is a bright line for filing requirements going forward. I and our Elections Division remain deeply committed to administering all of our election processes in an open, transparent, and nonpartisan manner.”