PRESS RELEASE

March 30, 1999

Contact: Amy Y. Cody

503/986-1524

Keisling Releases Study Detailing Statewide Voter Registration

Salem * Secretary of State Phil Keisling today released a detailed report on centralizing Oregon voter registration.

The report is the product of many months of research, and outlines the primary advantages, disadvantages, and requirements for a centralized voter registration system in Oregon.

"This independent study provides a solid basis for discussing any plan to bring Oregon's voter registration system into the 21st century," said Keisling.

Currently, Oregon's voter records are maintained in 36 separate and distinct county databases. Comparing records between counties is difficult. A central system would help county clerks to ensure the accuracy of voter information and decrease the potential for duplicate registration.

Keisling noted that he first advocated for centralized voter registration in 1993 (SB 979) and has continued to do so each subsequent session, including 1999 (HB 2210). His office commissioned the report to provide more information in the hopes of spurring legislative action.

The study, conducted by one of the nation's leading consulting firms for election data administration, InfoSentry Services, describes five options for implementing a centralized registration system. Glenn Newkirk, President of InfoSentry, concludes that the best option for Oregon is one that "*creates a uniform, stable data communications network [and] that offers the counties the option of keeping their current systems or using a state-provided system." According to the report, the one-time cost of implementing such a system is estimated at 5.9 million dollars.

Keisling acknowledged the challenge of full funding for Oregon centralized voter registration in the current fiscal climate, but is optimistic given the considerable interest of legislators in a centralized system. He cited specifically House Bill 2001, a priority bill proposed by current House Speaker Lynn Snodgrass, which also calls for such a system.

Summaries and copies of the study can be obtained by contacting the Elections Division at 503/986-1518.

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The original of this new release was posted on the Oregon Secretary of State's web site on May 26, 1999 at http://www.state.or.us