[Libs-Or] State Library Makes Historic Voters' Pamphlets Available Online

[Dave Hegeman]

Check out our latest online resource: a historic run of Oregon Voters' Pamphlets are now online.

Below is the text of the press release explaining this project.

Happy researching!

Dave Hegeman
Business Reference Librarian
Special Collections Coordinator
Oregon State Library
250 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 378-5006
Fax: (503) 588-7119
http://library.state.or.us




September 14, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


State Library Makes Historic Voters' Pamphlets Available Online
The Government Research Services division of the Oregon State Library has digitized a historic run of Oregon Voters' Pamphlets as part of its mission to make government information available to the citizens of Oregon. Digital and paper copies of the Voters' Pamphlets are also a permanent part of the Oregon State Library's Oregon Documents Collection<http://oregon.gov/OSL/GRES/OrDocs.shtml>.

In 1904, Oregon became one of the first states to print and distribute a voters' pamphlet.  Voters' Pamphlets are a rich source of historic information including  the full text of all measures voted on by the people; statements, biographical information and portraits of candidates running for state office; and statements for and against candidates and measures.

At http://library.state.or.us/databases/subjects/Voters_Pamphlet.php users may browse individual issues, or search across decades of Oregon's colorful elections history. Some interesting samples of information contained in the pamphlets include:

*         Arguments for and against Oregon's controversial and ground breaking Death with Dignity Act (1994 General election)

*         What parties, in addition to Democrat & Republican, had candidates for president in 1936? (1936 general)

*         Franklin Roosevelt's specific message to women voters (1944 general)

*         How is "habitual criminal" defined in the Sterilization Act (1913 special)

The pamphlets are a unique resource for historical information valuable to researchers of all sorts. "We are happy to be able to begin to bring these rare and historic documents out of the stacks and onto the Web for everyone to research and enjoy," says State Librarian Jim Scheppke.

One copy of the Voters' Pamphlet is mailed to every household in the state preceding every primary and general election, and special elections involving state measures or candidates for state office. County clerks may include local election information with the State Voters' Pamphlets or issue their own local voters' pamphlets. Separately published local voters' pamphlets are not included in this project. The first phase of the project covers general and special election pamphlets issued for Marion County. Additional pamphlets may be added as resources permit.

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