'Voting in Oregon Feels Good' campaign aims to curb election misinformation
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Ahead of a noteworthy election season, the Oregon Secretary of State’s office has launched a campaign to prevent misinformation.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade — whose position will be up for grabs later this year — announced her office would embark on the campaign in hopes of giving voters “accurate and trusted information about elections.”
“False information is as prolific as ever, meaning it’s more important than ever that Oregonians know where to get accurate information from a trusted source,” Griffin-Valade said in a statement. “Voting in Oregon feels good, and this is just one way we’re spreading the word.”
According to the secretary’s office, the 2022 campaign caused a 259% surge in visitors to the Oregon elections website.
Portland ad agency Happylucky is behind this year's campaign, which will feature public service announcements in the form of animated videos and social media graphics.
Happylucky’s “Blobby,” a friendly election mascot designed to restore faith in the voting system, was already introduced by the Secretary of State’s office last year.
In addition to the statewide push, Griffin-Valade previously informed residents she would join the nationwide effort to increase voters’ trust in election results.
The National Association of Secretaries of State’s #TrustedInfo2024 campaign tells voters that election officials are the trusted source for information.
Election integrity could be top of mind for Oregon voters, due to previous incidents.
Leading up to the May 2022 primaries, KOIN 6 reported that Clackamas County voting machines were unable to read an estimated 33% of the 309,000 ballots sent to residents. Clerk Sherry Hall explained the ballots had defective barcodes, which delayed counting and cost the county an additional $600,000.
Voters nationwide also questioned election integrity in late 2020, when Joe Biden won the presidential election and former President Donald Trump claimed results were rigged. Trump has since been indicted on federal charges for his alleged efforts to overturn the election, but he has pleaded not guilty.
The 2024 primaries are slated for Tuesday, May 21. Oregon voters must register by Tuesday, April 30.