11/25/2024

The Attorney General and Secretary of State have confirmed that our legal counsel guidance stands  since the 2 AG opinions attached are to be followed. This means the election being a tie makes the election null, and another election will be held next year.

"I just hear back from Attorney General’s office, they didn’t find any other more up-to-date opinions. The two AG opinions still appear to be good advice. Attorney General agrees with Steve Shropshire guidance. Neither our office nor Attorney General have further guidance to provide."

Lydia Plukchi

Candidates, Recall, Political Party Specialist

Elections Division, Oregon Secretary of State

11/18/2024

Three Sisters Irrigation District held a cavassing of the votes from last week's election and have confirmed the tie. Legal counsel has determined the following based on the 2 Attorney General opinions attached. We have asked the Attorney General if they can offer an updated opinion letter, and are awaiting a response. We will inform our patrons once we have an update

"There is no case law on this specific question (irrigation district election ties), but there are two Attorney General opinions that address the topic (both attached). The first, from 1949 concluded that a tie vote represents no choice and therefore no election, meaning that the incumbent director remained in office until the next election. This conclusion was restated in a 1966 Attorney General opinion as well."

11 /13/2024

Three Sisters Irrigation District held our election for division 3 board member on Tuesday, November 12.  Both candidates had an equal amount of votes, 35 each. The board of directors will canvas the election Monday, November 18th at 10am. The votes will be recounted at this time. We are awaiting legal counsel for next steps in the case of a tie. This is an open meeting, anyone is welcome to attend.