ASOSU endorses Oregon ballot measures 111, 112

This+illustration+shows+an+approval+stamp+on+a+ballot+to+indicate+ASOSU+endorsing+measures.

Teresa Aguilera

This illustration shows an approval stamp on a ballot to indicate ASOSU endorsing measures.

Associated Students of Oregon State University, OSU’s student government, has come out in support of ballot measures 111 and 112 for the upcoming 2022 Oregon midterm election. 

According to ASOSU Local & Legislative Policy Coordinator Mya Kuzmin, endorsing measure 111 means supporting legislation that benefits students, while 112 was a common sense decision.  

Measure 111 is an amendment to the state’s constitution, asking that Oregon provides access to affordable and cost-effective health care for all its residents. Measure 112 also concerns the Oregon Constitution, seeking to remove a part of Articles 1, Section 34 stating that slavery and involuntary servitude is still a legal form of punishment for a crime.

This is not the first time ASOSU has endorsed ballot measures. The organization was previously not allowed to do so, but lobbied the Oregan state government in 2013 to gain that power. In 2020, ASOSU endorsed a measure that would require free menstrual products in government building bathrooms, which was passed and implemented in the next year.

Kuzmin feels that ASOSU has a responsibility to represent its community. Endorsing ballot measures is one way of achieving this and letting state officials know what college students are supporting. According to Kuzmin, ASOSU’s measure endorsements have been sent to the state government for public officials to view and take into consideration.

Though informing Oregon officials of its positions on certain issues is important, ASOSU’s main goal is to educate students about what’s going on in their local government.

“It’s mostly to our students that we’re promoting it; it’s kind of us trying to be the megaphone,” Kuzmin said. “I think our biggest thing is that we can bring awareness to the ballot measures.”

As Nov. 8 approaches, Kuzmin and ASOSU encourage students and the public at large to send in their ballots. 

“I hope that everybody votes. Please, please, please vote,” Kuzmin said. “Please vote in your local elections in addition to state-level, because change starts from the ground up.”

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