Fluoride Fight: Ballot Returns Light Through Friday

By NIGEL JAQUISS

As of the end of day Friday, only 21.5 percent of registered voters had turned in their ballots for this month's election. Historically, off-year elections draw a light turnout. In 2011, 36.6 percent of registered voters cast ballots in Multnomah County.

The May ballot includes a Metro parks' operating levy; a renewal of the Children's initiative; school board and education service district races; and, of course, a vote on Measure 26-151, which calls for the fluoridation of Portland's water supply. Read WW's endorsements here.

A front page Wall Street Journal article this morning highlighted Portland's fluoride fight.

James Garvey, the conservative Wichita, Kan., real estate developer who is the "no" side's biggest contributor at $43,000, provided the money quote on the unusual coalition of right and left that opposes fluoride.

"I don't have any problem with tree-huggers," Garvey told the Journal. "It's not political, it's what you drink...I believe in individual liberty for all people." 

Ballots will be counted Tuesday, May 21, and must be dropped off at county elections or an official drop site tomorrow by 8 pm.


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