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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 25, 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 2, 2004 Election turnout remains strong By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune About half of Jackson County’s registered voters had weighed in on the Measure 30 tax referendum by Friday. With two voting days left in the mail election, 49 percent of ballots had been received, said Jackson County Clerk Kathy Beckett. About 2,100 ballots arrived in the mail Friday, boosting the total to 53,437 of the county’s 109,496 registered voters. Overall in Oregon, 43 percent of the state’s more than 1.8 million voters had returned ballots by Jan. 29. It’s too late to mail ballots now; voters can drop them off at various sites throughout the county. On Tuesday, ballot drop sites at several area libraries will be open until 8 p.m. Advertisement At issue is a referendum on the state Legislature’s $800 million tax increase plan to balance the $11.5 billion budget. A "yes" vote on Measure 30 upholds the Legislature’s budget plan, which includes a three-year temporary income tax increase and several other taxes. It avoids $544 million in specific budget cuts to education, health care, senior services and public safety. A "no" vote retains existing personal income, corporate and other tax laws and triggers those cuts. It would also leave an additional budget gap of more than $200 million. This is the second tax increase measure put before Oregon voters in a year. Last year’s unsuccessful Measure 28 proposal drew a total voter turnout of 64 percent in Jackson County, slightly lower than the state total of 66 percent. By this time in the Measure 28 mail vote, 54 percent of Jackson County voters — 84 percent of those who voted — had returned ballots. Statewide, 53 percent of registered voters had returned ballots by this point in the Measure 28 cycle, about 80 percent of those who voted. Ballot drop sites Ballots can be dropped at the following designated sites. There is a 24-hour, drive-by drop box in front of the elections office at 1101 W. Main St., Medford. Ashland Library, 401 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland. Central Point Library, 226 E. Pine St., Central Point. Eagle Point Library, 158 W. Main St., Eagle Point. Gold Hill Library, 420 Sixth St., Gold Hill. Jacksonville Library, 340 W. C St., Jacksonville. Phoenix Library, 110 W. Second St., Phoenix. Rogue River Library, 412 E. Main St., Rogue River. Shady Cove Library, 22477 Highway 62, Shady Cove. Talent Library, 105 I St., Talent. For more information about the election, call 774-6148. 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