Cross nominations 101

Joel Haugen, the controversial Republican candidate in the 1st Congressional District who wrapped up the Independent Party nomination Wednesday, is creating a stir at the Elections Division as to how his name is to be listed on the ballot.

According to Secretary of State spokesman Don Hamilton, if Haugen wants to take up the Independent Party’s nomination, he will have to resign his Republican nomination.

“The issue is, his name can only appear once on the ballot,” Hamilton said.

Because Haugen is a registered Republican, usually that means he would just appear on the ballot as a Republican. But Haugen has lost support from 1st district Republicans because of his endorsements for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Oregon House Speaker and U.S Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland). He has been receptive to receiving help from the Oregon Independent Party.

Meanwhile the Oregon Independent Party is seeking clarification into the laws, saying that on previous Oregon ballots, a candidate was allowed to list more than one party nomination. But that era is long gone, Hamilton said.

“These things are 60 some years old,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton says that other candidates at the state and federal level that have received cross nominations, including Attorney General candidate John Kroger, who has received both the Democratic and Republican nominations, and Merkley, who has received the Democratic and Independent nominations, will not have to resign their nominations because they will still appear on the ballot under the party they registered with.

“Kroger’s name can only appear once,” Hamilton said.“ But in his situation, he doesn’t have to resign because he is the Republican candidate. And the Republican candidate will still appear on the ballot. He will just have a ‘D’ next to him.”

“Same thing for Merkley,” Hamilton continued. “He can keep the Independent Party nomination; he will just appear as a Democrat.”

Hamilton said that while the situation with Haugen is unique, it is not uncommon to have candidates cross nominated in a variety of different races at the state and federal level.

“A candidate can have friends write in his name and wrap up nominations for both parties,” he said.