Oregon Democrats see jump in voter rolls

[stevedeshazer]

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/120711392958820.xml&coll=7

<snip>

One day last December, a political milestone was reached in Washington County: For the first time in recent memory, the number of registered Democratic voters began to exceed registered Republicans.

When the 2008 election year dawned Jan. 1, there were 13 more registered Democrats than Republicans in the county. Since then, that tiny difference has grown into a 4,782-voter advantage.

The same thing has been happening all across Oregon and is being fueled in part by waves of previously nonaffiliated voters and a surprising number of Republicans who have switched their registration as the state heads for the May 20 primary.

<snip>

Dan Mahan, 43, a software engineer from Sherwood, said he changed his registration from Republican so he could vote for Obama. "It's a close race, and I want to support one candidate over the other."

Mahan, who said he voted for Democrat Al Gore in 2000 and did not vote in 2004, said he is likely to remain a Democrat and vote for the Democratic nominee in November.

Obama was also the reason that Ted Pimm, 82, a retired salesman and lifelong Republican from Tigard, switched to the Democrats. "He's the best I've seen," he said of the Illinois senator.

Pimm said he should have switched his registration "years ago. I haven't voted Republican for a long time."

"The sound you hear," Pimm added, "is my parents rolling over in their graves."

more @ link

[XOKCowboy]

1. I wonder how many are dittoheads

Hey I'm all for new Dems. I just hope that they're really coming over to our side because of their convictions.

[Pastiche423]

2. I was one of those that switched from "OTH" to Dem this year

It depends on who gets in the Oval office as to if I will switch back.

[stevedeshazer]

3. Oregon has a closed primary

You can't cross over to vote here.

But I can tell you for sure, there are Republicans here who are switching sides, and it ain't because of Rush Limbaugh.

Independents are about a third of voters here, many of them are switching to D.

Washington County (populous suburb of VERY Democratic Portland) has been a bellwether for statewide elections here since God was a little kid...when voting registration flips there on this scale, something big is happening.

[here_is_to_hope]

4. I will say this, this political climate has made it

very easy to bring up politics in polite circles here. I live on the coast and its distinctly Obama in these parts.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Cool

Good to hear. I spent a lot of time in your neck of the woods.

[Pastiche423]

6. What part of CB do you live in?

It is quite possible we've seen each other.

[here_is_to_hope]

7. I live up by Marshfield...

You may have seen this....

[Pastiche423]

8. Haven't seen it yet

but will look for it. Too cool!

I'm in DT CB.

ETA: Check your PMs.