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Click Here 41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, March 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 26, 2004 Bradbury vows paper trail of votes By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune In announcing his re-election bid in Medford Wednesday evening, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury promised there would be no "hanging chads" in Oregon’s presidential election this year. Referring to the fiasco in Florida during the 2000 presidential election, Bradbury said that Oregon is one of six states that no longer use punch card or lever voting machines, thanks to election reform by his office. "I’m proud to say that under my leadership Oregon no longer has any punch card ballots," he said. "I am very proud to be one of the six chief elections officers in the nation that will have made the transition from punch cards in time for this crucial election," he added Thirty-one states still use the antiquated equipment that led to debate over the outcome of the 2000 election, he noted. Advertisement He also noted that many voters have expressed concern about electronic voting machines. "As long as I am secretary of state, there will be a paper record of every vote cast," he said. Democrat Bradbury, a former state legislator, was appointed to the state’s second-highest office in 1999 and was elected to a four-year term in 2000. As secretary of state, he is the state’s chief elections officer as well as auditor of state agencies. He also oversees business registration and other activities of the state Corporation Division. With his announcement, he will be on the May 18 primary ballot. He has yet to draw an official opponent from either party, but a campaign spokesman said someone is expected to step forward from the Republican ranks. Bradbury said he should be re-elected because of the work accomplished under his leadership in the past five years. For instance, he noted that 215 audits of state agencies during that time has saved Oregon $34 million. He also cited a decrease in the state business filing fee, dropping from $440 to $50, he said. "I’m very proud of the work we’ve done in the last five years in the areas of audits, election reform and streamlining business registry," he said. If re-elected, Bradbury said he would install an online campaign contribution and expenditure system than can be tracked by voters on the Internet. Noting that politics has become more mean-spirited than it should be, Bradbury hopes to have a spirited campaign without the rancor. "There is nothing wrong with having different visions of the future, and talking about those differences in a spirited way," he said. "But I hope I can use the upcoming campaign to emphasize what we have in common, instead of finding ways to divide." Bradbury, who also made a re-election announcement in Coos Bay on Wednesday, is expected to make similar announcements today in Eugene, Bend, Pendleton and Portland. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times