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September 19. 2014 4:00PM November elections right around the corner Ashlanders asked what political race or issue has grabbed their attention. Protesters gather at City Hall after marching from Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, California, for a march and rally on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The protesters were part of a global series of marches against seed giant Monsanto Co. and genetically modified foods. (Liz O. Baylen/Los Angeles Times/MCT) What’s happening? Daytime highs may still be pushing triple digits and football season has only just begun, but with the November election 6 1/2 weeks away it’s not too early to start researching issues and candidates. In Oregon, voters will be confronted with seven measures on Nov. 4, as well as the general election for governor, U.S. Senate, the Oregon Senate and House of Representatives and various local races. Hot-button issues Two measures seem to have captured the majority of the local interest — Measure 91, which if passed would legalize recreational marijuana; and Measure 92, which if passed would require labeling of food that contains genetically modified organisms. Also on the ballot will be a measure that would amend the Oregon constitution to create a fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary education, a measure that would guarantee equal rights regardless of sex and a measure that would create an open, top-two primary election system. Oregon's U.S. Senate seat held by Jeff Merkley is up for grabs, with Republican Monica Wehby, a Portland physician taking him on. Incumbent Gov. John Kitzhaber faces a challenge from Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point. And the fight for the state Senate seat now held by Democrat Alan Bates of Medford is being pointed to as critical for control of the Senate. That seat, being sought by Republican Dave Dotterer, includes Ashland. How it’s shaping up In early June, Survey USA, a poll service that works for some of the largest media companies in the United States, conducted a poll of 560 likely voters regarding their general attitude toward marijuana legalization. Fifty-one percent of those polled supported legalization of marijuana, while 41 percent were opposed and 8 percent were undecided. A poll conducted by DMH Research, a non-partisan research firm based in Portland, showed that Measure 92 has strong support. According to the poll, conducted between June 25 and June 30, 77 percent of Oregonians support GMO labeling on raw and packaged foods, while 12 percent oppose and 11 percent are undecided. While no Republican has gained a statewide office since the early '90s, the battle for the state Senate seat held by Bates is heating up and the result is expected to be close.  Bates defeated Dotterer in 2010 by a mere 275 votes. The Question: Concerning the November elections, has any candidate or measure grabbed your attention? (To see comments from people asked the question, click on the photos, above.)   http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20140919/NEWS/140919883 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->