Young voters go for a ride on the Bus

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Story Published: Aug 4, 2007 at 6:28 PM PDT

By Andy Peterson

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Voters will get another crack at Measure 37, the controversial land-use legislation they approved in 2004, when Measure 49 hits the ballot this November. But, whether the new measure passes or fails, it's succeeding in getting young people involved in politics.

Dozens of Lane County residents got on the bus Saturday -- as the Oregon Bus Project rolled into town. The group, made up mostly of young folks, travels the state, trying to take politics to the people.

The Bus Project criss-crosses Oregon, on, of course, a bus, and the ride made a stop in South Eugene Saturday afternoon.

It looks like your average Saturday afternoon picnic in the park, but organizers say their goal is to get as many people as possible involved in local and state government.

"Politics needs to be cool again," says Bus Project volunteer Quinn Reilly. "Politics needs to be the end all and be all of what American citizens are involved with, because ultimately it's about advancing our community interest. And communities aren't involved in politics in the same way that they used to be."

The bus riders tackle a number of issues, but today's focus was on measure 49.

supporters of the measure say that, in a non-presidential election year, groups like the bus project are important in getting the word out that a vote is even happening.

"And in doing so, really, it helps to educate people that there is the special election this year," says Measure 49 organizer Ashley Miller, "and that this is an important issue that's on it. So we really need to make sure we get out the vote."

Later in the day, the group split up to canvass homes in their neighborhoods.

The Bus Project now rolls up to Portland for an event two weekends from now, and Measure 49 hits the ballot this November.

For more information on the Oregon Bus Project, just click on the link at the top of this page, and we'll connect you.

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