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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Three elections that matter right now ... The Concord launches ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 20, 1915 ... Our View: Three elections that matter right now ... The Concord launches ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 20, 1915 ... OUR VIEW Our View: Independent Party starts at a disadvantage Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Independent Party of Oregon is now officially the state's third major party, entitled to a primary election paid for by the state next year. But that status may be short-lived, thanks to a new law that will automatically register thousands of new voters. For now, the Secretary of State's Office has certified that the Independent Party — not to be confused with small-i independents, or nonaffiliated voters (more on that later) — has more than 5 percent of registered voters. The state will conduct the party's primary next May, and the winners will appear on the general election ballot in November as the party's nominees. That's a big accomplishment, but IPO leaders will have their work cut out for them to keep it. The state's new "motor voter" law is expected to add as many as 300,000 new non-affiliated voters to the rolls by automatically registering any licensed drivers in the Department of Motor Vehicles database who aren't registered already. Those people will receive notice by mail from the Elections Division that they have been registered as non-affiliated voters. At that point they may opt out, and go back to non-registered status, or they may choose to affiliate with a party. Either way, it raises the stakes for the Independent Party, which will have a higher threshold to meet to stay above 5 percent. IPO officials say they will open their primary to non-affiliated voters next spring, which should help it raise awareness with all those new voters and might attract some as members. But the process is anything but simple. State law says non-affiliated voters who want to accept a party's invitation to vote in its primary must request a ballot in writing. Before vote-by-mail, that was easily done on the spot at polling places. Now, the Elections Division sends a postcard to non-affiliated voters informing them that they can request the ballot of a party that is opening its primary, but that means voters have to mail in the request — something many won't bother to do. IPO officials want the Legislature to change the law to have their ballot sent automatically to non-affiliated voters. That's hardly likely, given that Democrats and Republicans see open primaries as a threat. Another proposal would let non-affiliated voters request a party ballot online. That's a matter for the Legislature to address in January. Meanwhile, Independent Party leaders will need to field strong candidates and get their message out if they want to break the two-party stranglehold on Oregon elections. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501