REGISTER TO VOTE! and then VOTE

Oregon's primary, May 20th, is looking like it may have some actual significance in the upcoming presidential election. Specifically, there is still no single democratic candidate for President. State primaries, including Oregon's, are still sorting out who will be up against the certain-to-be-nominated Republican candidate, John McCain.

Meanwhile, because of the tightly contested Democratic primary race between Clinton and Obama, those of us who pay attention to this sort of thing are hearing a bewildering tale of delegates and superdelegates.

So what do you need to know so far about the upcoming Presidential election?

#1 REGISTER TO VOTE

Voting in Oregon Deadlines: Oregon's primary is May 20. The deadline to register for the primary or register with a party is April 29. Under current state party rules, independent voters who wish to vote in the presidential primary must register with a party. (from OregonLive)

Read all about election details at the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division but the main thing is that you need to fill out the registration form (Adobe Acrobat format) and turn it in to:

Douglas County Clerk
PO Box 10
Roseburg, OR 97470-0004
(541) 440-4252 / TTY 1-800-735-2900

or drop it off at the Douglas County Courthouse at the Clerk's Office.

#2 OK. Now you're registered. And you still want to know what's up with "delegates" and "superdelegates". You could do worse than listen to Josh Marshall of "TalkingPointsMemo.com" explain:




#3 If you want to see what the major parties are up to in Oregon, visit the websites of the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and the Independent Party.

#4 Then, way off in November 2008, we'll vote on the candidates who win their party's nomination. Of course, then we'll all be reminded of the value and the purpose and the controversy surrounding the electoral college--the body that really elects the president. Usually.

#5 Between now and then, you can keep up with some of the Oregon political news by checking in with The Oregonian. And don't forget to register. And vote.