OREGON: GOP's Move To Disenfranchise Voters

UPDATE:

GOP distances party from Ore. vote-blocking attempt
02:51 PM PST on Monday, November 1, 2004

By KGW and AP Staff

Oregon Republicans sought to distance the party on Monday from a letter sent by a Portland attorney to Multnomah County's election director that questioned ballots cast by new voters who were not asked to provide identification.....

UPDATE:

While listening today to Lars Larson's off-air dialog, it became apparent that Kevin Mannix would not come on the show and discuss the letter. Lars made several statements to his producer to the fact that Mannix was not being upfront about the letter and that he was ducking out.

I was curious, so I decided to call the OR GOP, pose as a Republican and ask them why Kevin Mannix won't come on the Lars Larson Show to discuss the issue. Joe, at the Oregon Republican Party, told me that neither the party nor Kevin Mannix had anything to do with the letter. Joe said that it was a volunteer for the GOP that decided to take it upon himself and have a letter sent on behalf of the party. I asked Joe if the Oregon Republican Party and/or Kevin Mannix would come out and issue a press release condemning the letter. Joe said that they are investigating the matter and by the end of the day Mannix would make a statement.

___________________________________

An article appeared yesterday evening in The Oregonian stating that the Oregon GOP and Bush/Cheney Campaign started the process of getting ballots thrown out in one of Oregon's most liberal counties.

THE CHALLENGE

In a letter issued Friday, attorneys for the Oregon Republican Party demanded that officials set aside ballots cast by new voters in Multnomah County who have not provided proof of identification.

PARTISAN MOVE

It is interesting to note that Multnomah County is a strongly Democratic County. Furthermore there has been no other challenges such as this in Baker County or Deshutes which are strongly Republican. Many are suspicious that this is strictly a partisan move by the GOP.

THE LAWYER

The Republican challenge is set out in a letter dated Friday signed by Matthew Lowe, an attorney in the Portland law firm of O'Donnell & Clark, which according to the letter represents the Oregon Republican Party and the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign. It is addressed to John Kauffman, director of elections in Multnomah County.

MATTHEW D. LOWE
(registered Republican)
Matthew D. Lowe is a graduate of Willamette University's College of Law where he was Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review. He is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Washington. Matthew's undergraduate degree is from Villanova University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History in 1991.

From 1993 to 1995, Matthew served as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Bob Packwood where he advised the Senator on various policy issues including banking, housing, urban development, foreign relations and national defense.

During the 1997 Oregon legislative session, Matthew served as chief of staff to Senator Tom Hartung and specifically focused on education policy and analysis with emphasis on charter schools.

His practice areas include for-profit and nonprofit corporate and business law; taxation issues affecting small business and non profit entities; employment matters; and business and real estate.

Matthew has served as a part-time instructor at Mt. Hood Community College teaching a course on hotel, restaurant, and travel law. He has also written several articles for a number of professional and public publications regarding legal issues.

Contact Info:

Matthew D. Lowe
Attorney
1706 NW Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 306-0224

FIRM: O'DONNELL & CLARK

Kelly W.G. Clark
(registered Republican)

Political Activity

Founder and Chairman, Oregon Republican Leadership Institute, 1997 - 2002

Steering Committee or Legal Counsel:
2004 Ballot Measure 36: The Defense of Marriage Amendment
2002 Jack Roberts for Governor Campaign
2002 Rob Kremer for State School Superintendant
1998 Molly Bordonaro for Congress Campaign
1996 Tom Simpson for State Representative Campaign
1994 Craig Berkman for Governor Campaign
1994 Anti-Child Pornography Initiative Campaign

State Representative, Oregon Legislature, 1989 - 1993

http://www.oandc.com/clark_CV.html



Mark O'Donnell


Developing.....



CLIENTS

Interestingly enough, the Republican Party of Oregon isn't listed as a client for O'Donnell & Clark Client List


excerpts from: Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to block thousands of votes