Election day is coming up fast, and my friends over at the Oregon Bus Project are going to be working their hardest to ensure a successful election night. In the next week leading up to the 6th, they will be sponsoring or co-sponsoring several events to get-out-the-vote for Measures 49 and 50, and to excite (and spook!) the electorate at-large.

OCTOBER 30, 8 p.m. @ RONTOMS BAR (600 E. Burnside)
Debate Club, The Booze Edition: What's Up With The OLCC?

Okay, so this isn't directly related to the election, but it is still an interesting topic. The OLCC, in all their mercy, are gathering input on how the local music scene is shutting out minors due to regulations in place to keep them away from spaces that serve alcohol. Specifically, they're thinking about how they can better serve our populace by, potentially, adapting their old regulations to fit our vibrant (but restrictive to minors) music scene.

Head on over to Rontoms (21+, ironically) to weigh in and to hang with the cool kids over at the Bus Project. The event features Cary Clark of PDX Pop Now!, the faces behind the OLCC, and others.

OCTOBER 31, 5 p.m. @ SEIU Local 49 Union Hall (3536 SE 26th)
Halloween Hullabaloo for Heathy Kids, A Costume Canvass!

Now this is one I really find entertaining. Starting with a pre-party at the union hall, the Bus Project will be trick-or-treat canvassing for Measure 50 in order to GOTV. I've been encouraged by staff to wear a costume, to which I responded that all I had was an old Star Trek Borg mask. They may have extra hats that you can wear, but please come in costume if you intent to help spread the word about how we can achieve victory for Oregon's own healthy kids initiative (in the face of a merciless barrage of tobacco-funded anti-50 ads).

My only concern is what should I wear? Canvassing is relatively easy, especially if you believe in the cause. How to balance that same act without scaring or bewildering the electorate, on the other hand, is an entirely different question.

Saturday, November 3 @ 8:30 a.m. (no location posted, so I assume Bus headquarters?)
Walk, Talk, Knock and Kickball for Measure 49

If you're not totally worn out from the above canvass, the good Bus Project people are getting up early and doing it all over again this coming Saturday. This time, however, it's for Measure 49. This one's really important, people, so do your part. If you can't make it out with the Bus Project, remind your friends, loved ones, and co-workers to vote. As an added bonus to doing it with the bus project, you get to play some kickball afterwards. I remember that I used to be pretty damn decent on the kickball fields back in elementary school, so maybe this one's for me...

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Enjoy! A big thanks to the Bus Project for organizing all of these fine events. Also, a shout-out to the Portland Mercury for co-sponsoring the Debate Club. I hope to see you all tomorrow, and, if I can make it, tonight and Saturday. Remember, the election's on the 6th. One week. Vote vote vote!