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Photo by Jim Craven Democratic congressional candidate Kevin Campbell has tried to combat voter indifference by campaining one-on-one in small towns. On Saturday, he visited shops in Jacksonville. Some feel voters need a goose Different tactics used to give people shove toward polls By Peter Wong They're unlikely to replace Super Bowl Sunday parties. But Leslie Maness of Medford says her version of political parties could be among the small steps needed to stem the tide of apathy that is likely to result in super-low voter turnout Tuesday. She and her husband, David, urge others to do as they have done and combine the social with the political. "My husband and I sat around, talked about the issues, and said we've got to get more people involved," she said. "So we invited friends and neighbors -- anybody who was interested -- and it motivated people to read their ballots ahead of time so we could have good discussions about the measures. "It's fun because everybody brings wonderful food. We have a good time -- and that's what it should be." The Manesses' party and other creative local efforts to generate interest in voting probably won't be enough to head off what could be the lowest voter participation rate for a general election in the four decades that detailed records have been kept in Oregon. The most recent lows were in 1978 with 63.2 percent of registered voters statewide, and 60.8 percent in Jackson County. Only two other general elections (1974 and 1994) have had participation rates under 70 percent. A record number of absentee ballots have been issued for Tuesday's election. Despite that, "It doesn't look like much of a turnout to me," said Don Laws, a political science professor at Southern Oregon University. The top-of-the-ticket races -- for governor and U.S. senator -- lack suspense because Democratic incumbents are expected to win easily. And Laws expects President Clinton's troubles to affect candidates across the board. "I think the reaction people will have is against politics generally, not against Democratic candidates for other offices," he said. The May 19 primary election resulted in record low participation rates of 34.9 percent statewide, and 34.4 percent in Jackson County. Barely half the voters who received absentee ballots bothered to cast them,though return rates for general elections are far higher. That bothers Leslie Maness. "Voting is still a special thing to me," Maness said. "So many people in the world do not have this right, and I feel bad that others do not take it seriously." The participants in the Manesses' party, the third they've had this decade, did not lack discussion material -- there are 14 statewide measures and several countywide and local bond issues and tax levies. Each person was allotted 10 minutes, though some took less "and on others, we had to reset the clock several times," Maness said. Participants are handed mock ballots. She said the two marijuana measures (57 and 67) sparked lively debates. Source materials include the official Voters' Pamphlet, which contains the texts, analyses and paid arguments for and against measures, and newspaper editorials and other clippings. But Leslie Maness said it's the people who make the party go. Christina Knecht of Medford said she's glad she went. "A lot of times you go to the polls not really sure about some of the issues because of the way ballot measures are written," she said. "Because of what the Manesses have done and these discussions, I feel I am a more informed voter this time. I think it's something more people ought to try." "Take your parent to the polls day" began almost as a joke during a parent-teacher group meeting at Mae Richardson Elementary School in Central Point. A $35 million bond issue for Central Point schools failed in the May primary -- even though it received 55 percent approval -- because only 34 percent of district voters cast ballots and state voters narrowly defeated a repeal of the double-majority requirement. "Take your parent to the polls day" was modeled on "Take your daughter to work day" held each spring. "We thought it was catchy enough to make people think about it," said Judy Tonn, who teaches second and third grades. The idea was incorporated into Central Point's character education, which this year deals with social responsibility. During recent conferences with parents, teachers handed out fliers that encourage parents to take their children to the polls Tuesday or show how absentee ballots are cast. Parents also are encouraged to discuss current events appropriate for their children's ages. Fact sheets also were distributed about Measure 15-81, the district's $36.7 million bond issue. State law bars use of public resources for advocacy of or opposition to measures, but governments may provide information about them. The citizenship program is aimed at the 2,200 students in the district's elementary schools, but other activities include secondary schools. "This acknowledges that children's first and most important teachers are their parents," said Superintendent Mike McClain. "I thought it was a wonderful and simple concept, and it is a great year to test this in the field. "I'm interested in seeing whether we make any progress. We are a small entity, but if we can start seeing improvement in our voting rates here, we will have some influence elsewhere." The region's high schools also are taking small steps to involve today's students in current political debates. Bill Gabriel's classes at Ashland High School question candidates such as those running for state representative in District 52, debate ballot measures and conduct mock elections. Voters age 18 to 34 generally have the lowest participation rate of any age group. SOU political scientist Laws said it's not surprising, because they're the group most likely to be continuing school, finding work and forming families. A study commissioned by Secretary of State Phil Keisling determined that barely one in five young voters in the three metropolitan Portland counties bothered to cast ballots May 19. "One of the most distressing things about politics right now is what I call the unilateral disarmament of the people who have the most at stake in terms of the quality of our schools and a livable environment," he said on a recent visit to Medford. An idea that emerged from a conversation between Keisling and Jackson County Clerk Kathy Beckett may help change the perceptions young people have of the system, even if they are not old enough to vote. Nearly 50 students from various high schools will work at polling places Election Day, helping voters who need assistance with ballots and making sure voters sign polling-place books. The students attend the same training sessions and are paid the same as adult election workers. "I think it's important for them to see the pride that people feel about voting, and the responsibility that voters take in going to the polls and casting their ballots," Beckett said. "It's the only way we're ever going to have them in the system." Beckett said a number of Oregon clerks were initially resistant. "But once they started doing it, they saw that the kids were serious about their jobs and appreciative that the clerks took the trouble to hire them." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA