After initial suspicion that the Ducks for a Difference campaign was collecting signatures and contact information for it’s campaign under false pretenses, the Elections Board has ruled in favor of providing sanctions for the Lamar Wise’s slate.
ASUO Senator Ben Rudin filed a grievance on April 9 against Ducks for a Difference alleging the campaign is guilty of illegal campaigning and fraud.
The grievance came hours after Brent Rovianek, a United Oregon candidate running for Senate Seat 14, testified he was contacted Monday night from a list that was originally put together for the sole purpose of repealing the Social Host Ordinance.
He recalled the phone conversation and stated the caller identified the reason for calling: “Hi my name is (Don’t remember name). I’m from Ducks for a Difference and I’m calling you because you signed a petition against the Social Host Ordinance.”
Rovianek remembered signing the petition weeks ago but was assured then that the information was to be used for the ordinance repeal only.
“I approached them, and they told me they were gaining signatures for a ballot measure in order to revoke the ordinance,” he said. “I signed the petition, and upon speaking with them further, they told me they were there on behalf of Lane County Young Democrats.”
In the Election Boards opinion, Ducks for a Difference argued that the numbers collected from the Social Host petition were not used directly. Instead, the information gathered was uploaded onto a software called the Democratic Voter Engagement Software. This software allows users and subscribers to access the Voter Activation Network (VAN), a gathering of information for potential voters. With the software, these potential voters may be “tagged” with specific preferences.
The Board used the example of tagging an individual for supporting the rise of minimum wage. After tagging individuals, the software can sort the information to present the subscriber with all contact information of individuals who have been tagged.
Is response to the grievance, Ducks for a Difference argued four points.
First, the campaign argued that subscribing to a database to access information is not a violation. Secondly, they argue that all of the numbers were already in VAN. Third, the campaign states that the contact information from individuals who supported the Social Host Ordinance petition was in VAN so only information collected from VAN was used. Finally, the campaign argued that anyone with a subscription can access the numbers.
The Elections Board was not persuaded by the arguments and suggested that the action of “tagging” the individuals merits a violation.
“If only the contact information was uploaded to the VAN database this assertion might have more merit,” the Board’s opinion read. “However, the information was not only uploaded but tagged as well. Consequently, Ducks for a Difference had access to the contact information of every student that signed the petition. This fact leads the Elections Board to believe that the purpose of collecting signatures and contact information was intended not only to protest the Social Host Ordinance but also … engage in premature campaigning.”
As a result, the Ducks for a Difference campaign is prohibited from phone banking between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 10.
“I am confident,” ASUO Elections Board Coordinator Pat Chaney said, “that any attempts to disobey the sanctions will be brought to the attention of the Elections Board.”
Lamar Wise was disappointed with the ruling, but wasn’t planning on letting it effect his campaign seriously.
“It’s unfortunate that the Elections Board ruled against us, but we will just continue to organize to do things that matter to students,” Wise said. “We will just have to readjust our hours accordingly.”