President Obama Wins in Oregon

President Obama officially won the seven electoral votes required for the state of Oregon. As of Tuesday evening, President Obama was projected as the winner of the presidential race over Mitt Romney in the state.

As people around the United States lined up at the polls to vote for this nation's next leader, Oregonians stayed home because of voter by mail.

Instead of heading to the polls to cast their votes in favor of the Democratic Presidential candidate, Oregonian voters mailed in their votes and were able to follow the election news  across the state via television, computers, and social media announcements.

"I have two feelings about voter by mail" Patrick Nearing, a trumpet teacher and chef in Portland expressed about voting in Oregon. "One is that I think it is a great way to do business long as we can trust the commissioners, and it's great for people who can't get off work to vote, since it is convenient."

However, people still miss going to the polls. "I miss going to the polls because it is an important community action. This is because no matter what party you are from, you meet your neighbors there," Patrick said.

Although Oregon voted a Democratic majority and President Obama won tonight, the state does have many Republican counties. This state has lots of people who are conservative.  "This whole idea, liberal or conservative, divides our nation in a way that is not constructive and people should not be labeled. We have to work together, so everybody's vote counts," Nearing said.

In Oregon, the election wasn't just a focus for the adults. At schools around the state, as parents cast their votes by mail, students participated in mock elections during the school day. At Poynter Middle school in Hillsboro Oregon, which is mainly Democratic state, children cast their "ballots" with an Obama majority. Most of the kids already knew who their parents voted for or who they would select because of voter by mail.

Poynter Middle School principal Greg Timmons said, "I thought this school election was awesome because 400 kids came to vote, even giving up their lunch time. I think it teaches students to be politically active and it sets healthy habits of being active in politics." The principal feels that the kids usually follow their parents' beliefs so the mock election is pretty accurate. "Very often parents are the biggest influence on the opinions of their kids," he said.

As Obama has gotten hold on the Pacific states, the election has come to a close. Obama has won most of the key battleground states, including Ohio. Oregon, one of his many safe states, has voted, and has chosen our next President.

—Kid Reporter Jacob Schroeder