List of Oregon ballot measures


The list of Oregon ballot measures lists all statewide ballot measures to the present.
In Oregon, the initiative and referendum process dates back to 1902, when the efforts of the Direct Legislation League prompted amending the Oregon Constitution for the first time since 1859. The process of initiative and referendum became nationally known as the Oregon System.
There are three types of ballot measures: initiatives, referendums, and referrals. Initiatives and referendums may be placed on the ballot if their supporters gather enough signatures from Oregon voters; the number of signatures is a percentage based on the number of voters casting ballots in the most recent election for the Governor of Oregon.
; initiative: Any issue may be placed before the voters, either amending the Constitution or revising or adding to the Oregon Revised Statutes. Constitutional initiatives require the signature of eight percent of recent voters to qualify for the ballot; statutory reforms require six percent.
; referendum: The public may act to undo any bill passed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly, by putting a referendum on the ballot. A referendum requires four percent of recent voters to qualify for the ballot.
; referral: The Legislative Assembly may refer any bill it passes to the public for approval, and must do so for any amendment to the Constitution. Additionally, the Legislative Assembly may refer revisions to the Constitution; a revision differs from an amendment in that it may alter multiple provisions of the Constitution.
The constitutional foundation for ballot measures may be found in, and Chapter 250 of the Oregon Revised Statutes relates to initiative and referendum as well.
The Oregon Blue Book, produced by the Oregon government, maintains a list similar to this one.

1900s

1902

1904

1906

1908

1910s

1912

1913

1914

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920s

meas.
num
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1No61,258131,60331.76%YesLEGCompulsory Voting and Registration Amendment
2No80,34285,52448.44%YesLEGConstitutional Amendment Regulating Legislative Sessions and the Payment of Legislators
3No67,101119,12636.03%NoRefOleomargarine Bills
4No37,283147,42620.18%YesInitSingle Tax Constitutional Amendment
5YES97,85480,98354.72%YesInitFixing Term of Certain County Officers
6No80,49384,83048.69%NoInitPort of Portland Dock Commission Consolidation
7No63,018127,57033.07%YesInitAnti-compulsory Vaccination Amendment
8No28,976158,67315.44%YesInitConstitutional Amendment Fixing Legal Rate of Interest in Oregon
9No78,961107,38342.37%NoInitRoosevelt Bird Refuge
10No57,791101,17936.35%YesInitDivided Legislative Session Constitutional Amendment
11No51,605119,46430.17%NoInitState Market Commission Act

1921

1922

1923

1924

1926

1927

1928

1930s

1932

1933

1934

1934

1936

meas.
num
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1No174,293179,23649.30%NoRefBill Amending Old Age Assistance Act of 1935
2No100,141222,89731.00%YesInitAmendment Forbidding Prevention or Regulation of Certain Advertising If Truthful
3No112,546203,69335.59%YesInitTax Limitation Constitutional Amendment for School Districts Having 100,000 Population
4No131,917214,24638.11%NoInitNoncompulsory Military Training Bill
5No79,604241,04224.83%YesInitAmendment Limiting and Reducing Permissible Taxes on Tangible Property
6No131,489208,17938.71%NoInitState Power Bill
7No100,356208,74132.47%YesInitState Hydroelectric Temporary Administrative Board Constitutional Amendment
8No82,869250,77724.84%NoInitState Bank Bill

1938

1940s

1942

1944

1945

1946

1947

1948

1950s

1952

1954

1956

1958

1960s

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES579,02292,18786.27%YesLEGFixing Commencement of Legislators' Term
2No357,499393,65247.59%NoLEGDaylight Saving Time
3YES335,792312,18751.82%YesLEGFinancing Urban Redevelopment Projects
4No306,190340,19747.37%YesLEGPermitting Prosecution by Information or Indictment
5YES358,367289,89555.28%YesLEGAuthorizing Legislature to Propose Revised Constitution
6YES467,557233,75966.67%YesLEGState Bonds for Higher Education Facilities
7YES508,108183,97773.42%YesLEGVoter Qualification Amendment
8No232,250433,51534.88%YesLEGAuthorizing Bonds for State Building Program
9YES578,471123,28382.43%YesLEGCompulsory Retirement for Judges
10YES486,019169,86574.10%YesLEGElective Offices: When to Become Vacant
11YES399,210222,73664.19%YesLEGFinancing Improvements in Home Rule Counties
12YES578,26688,99586.66%YesLEGContinuity of Government in Enemy Attack
13YES415,931266,63060.94%YesLEGWar Veterans' Bonding and Loan Amendment
14No115,610570,02516.86%NoRefPersonal Income Tax Bill
15No261,735475,29035.51%NoInitBillboard Control Measure

1962

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES312,680234,44057.15%YesLEGReorganize State Militia
2YES323,799199,17461.92%YesLEGForest Rehabilitation Debt Limit Amendment
3YES319,956200,23661.51%YesLEGPermanent Road Debt Limit Amendment
4YES298,255208,75558.83%YesLEGPower Development Debt Limit Amendment
5YES307,855193,48761.41%YesLEGState Courts Creation and Jurisdiction
6YES388,154229,66162.83%NoLEGDaylight Saving Time
7YES270,637219,50955.22%YesLEGConstitutional Six Percent Limitation Amendment
8No197,322325,18237.76%YesInitLegislative Apportionment Constitutional Amendment
9No206,540320,91739.16%NoInitRepeals School District Reorganization Law

1963

1964

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES327,220252,37256.46%YesLEGAuthorize Bonds for Education Building Program

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES455,654302,10560.13%YesLEGCapital Punishment Bill
2YES477,031238,24166.69%YesLEGLeasing Property for State Use
3No205,182549,41427.19%NoInitAmending State Workmen's Compensation Law
4No221,797534,73129.32%NoInitProhibiting Commercial Fishing for Salmon, Steelhead

1966

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES468,103123,96479.06%YesLEGPublic Transportation System Employees Constitutional Amendment
2No237,282332,98341.61%YesLEGState Bonds for Educational Facilities

1968

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES651,25096,06587.15%YesLEGConstitutional Amendment Broadening Veterans Loan Eligibility
2YES690,98956,97392.38%YesLEGConstitutional Amendment for Removal of Judges
3YES588,166143,76880.36%YesLEGEmpowering Legislature to Extend Ocean Boundaries
4No331,617348,86648.73%YesLEGConstitutional Amendment Broadening County Debt Limitation
5YES393,789278,48358.58%YesLEGGovernment Consolidation City-County Over 300,000
6No315,175464,14040.44%YesInitBond Issue to Acquire Ocean Beaches
7No276,451503,44335.45%YesInitConstitutional Amendment Changing Property Tax Limitation

1969

1970s

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1No261,428340,10443.46%YesLEGConstitutional Amendment Concerning Convening of Legislature
2YES342,138269,46755.94%YesLEGAutomatic Adoption, Federal Income Tax Amendments
3No283,659294,18649.09%YesLEGConstitutional Amendment Concerning County Debt Limitation
4YES332,188268,58855.29%YesLEGInvesting Funds Donated to Higher Education
5YES481,031133,56478.27%YesLEGVeterans' Loan Amendment
6YES436,897158,40973.39%YesLEGLimits Term of Defeated Incumbents
7No269,372318,65145.81%YesLEGConstitutional Amendment Authorizing Education Bonds
8YES352,771260,10057.56%YesLEGAllows Penal Institutions Anywhere in Oregon
9YES406,315214,24365.48%NoInitScenic Waterways Bill
10No223,735405,43735.56%YesInitNew Property Tax Bases for Schools
11No272,765342,50344.33%YesInitRestricts Governmental Powers Over Rural Property

1972

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1No327,231349,74648.34%YesLEGEliminates literacy requirement; lowers voting age
2YES420,568206,43667.08%YesLEGRepeals requirement for decennial state census
3No241,371391,69838.13%YesLEGAllows legislators to call special sessions
4No232,391364,32338.95%YesLEGCapital construction bonds for state government
5No233,175374,29538.38%YesLEGIrrigation and water development bonds
6No120,027491,55119.63%YesLEGEnabling county-city vehicle registration tax

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES594,080232,94871.83%YesLEGEliminates location requirements for state institutions
2YES572,619281,72067.02%YesLEGQualifications for sheriff set by legislature
3No329,669462,93241.59%YesLEGAmends county purchase and lease limitations
4No336,382519,19639.32%YesLEGChanges provision regarding religion
5YES591,191265,63669.00%YesLEGMinimum jury size of six members
6YES736,802133,13984.70%YesLEGBroadens eligibility for veterans loans
7YES571,959292,56166.16%YesLEGRepeals governor's retirement act
8YES697,297151,17482.18%YesLEGChanges succession to office of governor
9No342,885558,13638.06%YesLEGProhibits property tax for school operations

1973

1974

1976

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES607,325247,84371.02%YesLEGValidates inadvertently superseded statutory amendments
2No376,489536,96741.22%YesLEGAllows changing city, county election days
3No285,777679,51729.61%YesLEGLowers minimum age for legislative service
4YES507,308368,64657.91%YesLEGRepeals emergency succession provision
5YES549,126377,35459.27%YesLEGPermits legislature to call special session
6YES682,252281,69670.78%YesLEGAllows charitable, fraternal, religious organizations bingo
7No263,738659,32728.57%NoLEGPartial public funding of election campaigns
8No465,143505,12447.94%NoRefIncreases motor fuel, ton-mile taxes
9No423,008584,84541.97%NoInitRegulates nuclear power plant construction approval
10No402,608536,50242.87%NoInitRepeals land use planning coordination statutes
11No419,567555,98143.01%NoInitProhibits adding fluorides to water systems
12No333,933525,86838.84%NoInitRepeals intergovernmental cooperation, planning district statutes

1977

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES124,484118,95351.14%YesLEGWater development loan fund created
2No105,219137,69343.32%YesLEGDevelopment of nonnuclear energy resources

1978

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1No358,504449,13244.39%YesLEGAppellate judge selection, running on record
2YES468,458349,60457.26%YesLEGAuthorizes senate confirmation of governor's appointments
3No208,722673,80223.65%NoRefVehicle and fee increase referendum
4No375,587471,02744.36%NoInitShortens formation procedures for people's utility districts
5YES704,480201,46377.76%NoInitAuthorizes, regulates practice of denture technology
6No424,029453,74148.31%YesInitLimitations on ad valorem property taxes
7No431,577461,54248.32%YesInitProhibits state expenditures, programs or services for abortion
8YES573,707318,61064.29%NoInitRequires death penalty for murder under specified conditions
9YES589,361267,13268.81%NoInitLimitations of public utility rate base
10No334,523515,13839.37%YesInitLand use planning, zoning constitutional amendment
11No383,532467,76545.05%YesLEGReduces property tax payable by homeowner and renter
12YES641,862134,75882.65%NoLEGSupport of federal constitutional amendment requiring balanced budget

1980s

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1No291,142820,89226.18%YesLEGRepeal constitutional provision requiring elected superintendent of public instruction
2YES678,573455,02059.86%YesLEGGuarantees mentally handicapped voting rights, unless adjudged incompetent to vote
3YES594,520500,58654.29%YesLEGDedicates oil, natural gas taxes to common school fund
4No298,421849,74525.99%NoLEGIncreases gas tax from seven to nine cents per gallon
5No425,890728,17336.90%NoInitForbids use, sale of snare, leghold traps for most purposes
6No416,029711,61736.89%YesInitReal property tax limit preserving 85% Districts' 1977 revenue
7YES608,412535,04953.21%NoInitNuclear plant licensing requires voter approval, waste disposal facility existence
8No523,955551,38348.72%YesLEGState bonds for fund to finance correctional facilities

1982

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1No219,034768,15022.19%YesLEGIncreases tax base when new property construction increases district's value
2No385,672604,86438.94%YesLEGLengthens Governor's time for postsession veto or approval of bills
3No504,836515,62649.47%YesInitReal property tax limit preserving 85% districts' 1979 revenue
4No440,824597,97042.44%NoInitPermits self-service dispensing of motor vehicle fuel at retail
5YES623,089387,90761.63%n/aInitPeople of Oregon urge mutual freeze on nuclear weapons development
6No461,271565,05644.94%NoInitEnds state's land use planning powers, retains local planning

1984

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES66446447013958.56%YesLEGChange minimum requirements for recall of public officers
2No59942461625249.31%YesLEGReal property tax limit
3YES63796855682653.40%NoInitCreate Citizens' Utility Board
4YES79444141234165.83%YesInitEstablish state lottery, commission, profits for economic development
5YES78693339923166.34%NoInitProvisions for state operated lottery if authorized
6YES65300952168755.59%YesInitExempts death sentences from constitutional guarantees against cruel, vindictive punishments
7YES89381829598875.12%NoInitRequires by statute death or mandatory imprisonment for aggravated murder
8No55241059796448.02%NoInitRevises numerous criminal laws concerning police powers, trials, evidence, sentencing
9YES65597352421455.58%NoInitAdds requirements for disposing wastes containing naturally occurring radioactive isotopes

1985

1986

meas.
num.
passedYES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
typedescription
1YES771,959265,99974.37%YesLEGDeletes Constitutional Requirement that Secretary of State Live in Salem
2YES637,410291,35568.63%YesLEGRevises Legislative District Reapportionment Procedures After Federal Census
3YES736,739302,95770.86%YesLEGAllows Charitable, Fraternal, Religious Organizations to Conduct Raffles
4YES724,577297,97370.86%NoLEGReplaces Public Utility Commissioner with Three Member Public Utility Commission
5No279,479781,92226.33%NoInitLegalizes Private Possession and Growing of Marijuana for Personal Use
6No477,920580,16345.17%YesInitProhibits State Funding Abortions. Exception: Prevent Mother's Death
7No234,804816,36922.34%YesInit5% Sales Tax, Funds Schools, Reduces Property Tax
8YES802,099201,91879.89%NoInitProhibits Mandatory Local Measured Telephone Service Except Mobile Phone Service
9No449,548584,39643.48%YesInitLimits Property Tax Rates and Assessed Value Increases
10YES774,766251,50975.49%NoInitRevises Many Criminal Laws Concerning Victims' Rights, Evidence, Sentencing, Parole
11No381,727639,03437.40%YesInitHomeowner's, Renter's Property Tax Relief Program; Sales Tax Limitation Measure
12No299,551720,03429.38%NoInitState Income Tax Changes, Increased Revenue to Property Tax Relief
13YES693,460343,45066.88%YesInitTwenty Day Pre-election Voter Registration Cutoff
14No375,241674,64135.74%NoInitProhibits Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until Permanent Waste Site Licensed
15No424,099558,74143.15%NoInitSupersedes "Radioactive Waste" Definition; Changes Energy Facility Payment Procedure
16No400,119590,97140.37%NoInitPhases Out Nuclear Weapons Manufactured With Tax Credits, Civil Penalty

1987

1988

May 17, 1988 primary election
Meas. num.MeasureYesNo
1Authorizes Water Development Fund Loans for Fish Protection, Watershed Restoration—L1*485,629191,008
2Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Operators and Passengers and Moped Riders—L2*486,401224,655

November 8, 1988 general election
Meas. num.MeasureYesNo
1Extends Governor's Veto Deadline After Legislature Adjourns; Requires Prior Announcement—L1*615,012520,939
2Common School Fund Investments; Using Income for State Lands Management—L1*621,894510,694
3Requires the Use of Safety Belts—L2528,324684,747
4Requires Full Sentences Without Parole, Probation for Certain Repeat Felonies—I2*947,805252,985
5Finances Intercollegiate Athletic Fund by Increasing Malt Beverage, Cigarette Taxes—I2449,797759,360
6Indoor Clean Air Law Revisions Banning Public Smoking—I2430,147737,779
7Oregon Scenic Waterway System—I2 added almost 500 miles of protected waterways to the Oregon Scenic Waterways System. The measure passed 663,604 votes to 516,998 votes. The chief petitioners were Ray Atkeson, Harry Lonsdale and Roy Bowden.*663,604516,998
8Revokes Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Executive Branch—I2*626,751561,355

1989

May 16 Special Election
Meas
num
passed?YesNo%Const
Amd
type
Ballot Title - and notes
1NO183,818263,28341.1YESLEGEstablishes New Tax Base Limits on Schools

June 27 Special Election
Meas
num
passed?
YesNo%Const
Amd
type
Ballot Title - and notes
1YES34050614164970.6YESLEGRemoves Constitutional Limitation on Use of Property Forfeited To State
2YES4461514855890.2YESLEGProhibits Selling/Exporting Timber from State Lands Unless Oregon Processed

1990s

1990

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
TypeBallot Title - and notes
1NO29409932445847.5YESLEGPermits Using Local Vehicle Taxes for Transit if Voters Approve
2YES35292224812358.7YESLEGAllows Pollution Control Bond Use for Related Activities
3NO29466429983149.6YESLEGRequires Annual Legislative Sessions of Limited Duration
4NO4234474547.2NOLEGAmends Laws on Organization of International Port of Coos Bay
5AYES46209014074776.7NOLEGAdvisory Vote: Changing the School Finance System
5BNO17796440884230.3NOLEGAdvisory Vote: Income Tax Increase Reducing Homeowner School Property Taxes
5CNO12864244972522.2NOLEGAdvisory Vote: Income Tax Increase Eliminating Homeowner School Property Taxes
5DNO20236738582034.4NOLEGAdvisory Vote: Sales Tax Reducing School Property Taxes
5ENO22261137446637.3NOLEGAdvisory Vote: Sales Tax Eliminating School Property Taxes

November

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
TypeBallot Title - and notes
1YES51094749117051YESLEGGrants Metropolitan Service District Electors Right to Home Rule
2YES68046335428865.8YESLEGAllows Merged School Districts to Combine Tax Bases
3NO40637261758639.7N/AREFRepeals Tax Exemption, Grants Additional Benefit Payments for PERS Retirees
4NO44679566099240.3NOINITProhibits Trojan Operation Until Nuclear Waste, Cost, Earthquake Standards Met – one of several measures aiming to close Trojan
5YES57483352202252.4YESINITLimit on Property Taxes for Schools, Government Operations landmark tax law, limited property taxes and moved school funding from local to state control. Follow up measures 47 and 50 addressed property taxes as well.
6NO46741863680442.3NOINITProduct Packaging Must Meet Recycling Standards or Receive Hardship Waiver
7YES62474445285358NOINITSix-County Work in Lieu of Welfare Benefits Pilot Program
8NO35596374759932.3YESINITProhibit Abortion With Three Exceptions
9YES59846051287253.9NOINITRequires the Use of Safety Belts
10NO53085157780647.9NOINITDoctor Must Give Parent Notice Before Minor's Abortion
11NO35197774186332.2YESINITSchool Choice System, Tax Credit for Education Outside Public Schools

1992

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
TypeBallot Title - and notes
1NO244,173451,71535.1YESLEGFuture Fuel Taxes May Go to Police

November

Meas.
Num.
Passed?
YES
votes
NO
votes
%
votes
Const.
Amd.
Type
Ballot Title - and notes
1NO653,062786,01745.4YESLEGBonds May be Issued for State Parks
2NO399,2591,039,32227.8YESLEGFuture Fuel Taxes May Go to Parks
3YES1,003,706439,69469.5YESINITLimits Terms for Legislature, Statewide Offices, Congressional Offices - established term limits for state and federal elected positions. Federal provisions overturned in 1995, state provisions overturned in 2002.
4NO567,467896,77838.8NOINITBans Operation of Triple Truck-Trailer Combinations on Oregon Highways
5NO585,051874,63640.1NOINITCloses Trojan Until Nuclear Waste, Cost, Earthquake, Health Conditions Met - Measures 5 and 6, aiming to close Trojan Nuclear Power Plant, defeated; PGE spent $5 million opposing, a record high expenditure not exceeded until 2007.
6NO619,329830,85042.7NOINITBans Trojan Power Operation Unless Earthquake, Waste Storage Conditions Met - see above
7NO362,6211,077,20625.2YESINITRaises Tax Limit on Certain Property; Residential Renters' Tax Relief
8NO576,633828,09641NOINITRestricts Lower Columbia Fish Harvests to Most Selective Means Available
9NO638,527828,29043.5YESINITGovernment Cannot Facilitate, Must Discourage Homosexuality, Other "Behaviors"

1993

June

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
Const.
Amd.
Type
Ballot Title - and notes
1NO180,070482,71427.2NOLEGAllows Voter Approval of Urban Renewal Bond Repayment Outside Limit

November

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
Type
Ballot Title - and notes
1NO240,991721,93025.0NOLEGShould We Pass A 5% Sales Tax for Public Schools with these Restrictions?

1994

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
Type
Ballot Title - and notes
2NO15802844666526.1NOLEGAllows New Motor Vehicle Fuel Revenues for Dedicated Purposes

November

Meas.
Num.
Passed?
YES
votes
NO
votes
%
votes
Const.
Amd.
Type
Ballot Title - and notes
3YES77619738212667.0YESLEGChanges Deadline for Filling Vacancies at General Election
4YES105511114549987.9YESLEGCreates Vacancy if State Legislator Convicted of Felony
5NO54330267102544.7YESINITBars New or Increased Taxes without Voter Approval
6YES62818055501953.1YESINITCandidates May Use Only Contributions from District Residents
7NO51298067102143.3YESINITGuarantees Equal Protection: Lists Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination
8YES61176061077650.0YESINITPublic Employees Pay Part of Salary for Pension – required public employees to contribute 6% of their salary to their pension, overturned in 1996 by the courts in Oregon State Police Officers' Ass'n v. State.
9YES85101432422472.4NOINITAdopts Contribution and Spending Limits, Other Campaign Finance Law Changes. Limited contributions to $100 for legislative candidates, $500 for statewide candidates. Most provisions struck down by Oregon Supreme Court in February 1997.
10YES76350741567864.7YESINITLegislature Cannot Reduce Voter-Approved Sentence Without 2/3 Vote
11YES78869541281665.6NOINITMandatory Sentences for Listed Felonies; Covers Persons 15 and Up — established mandatory minimum sentences for certain violent felonies, required adult trials and sentencing for those felonies for defendants over age 15.
12NO45055373114638.1NOINITRepeals Prevailing Rate Wage Requirement for Workers on Public Works
13NO59274663062848.5YESINITGovernments Cannot Approve, Create Classifications Based on, Homosexuality — also known as the "Minority Status and Child Protection Act", would have restricted public library access to materials dealing with homosexuality.
14NO50000567993642.4YESINITAmends Chemical Process Mining Laws: Adds Requirements, Prohibitions, Standards, Fees
15NO43801876085336.5YESINITState Must Maintain Funding for Schools, Community Colleges
16YES62798059601851.3NOINITAllows Terminally Ill Adults to Obtain Prescription for Lethal Drugs — legalized doctor-assisted suicide.
17YES85989635054171.0YESINITRequires State Prison Inmates to Work Full Time
18YES62952758602651.8NOINITBans Hunting Bears with Bait, Hunting Bears, Cougars with Dogs
19NO54975465213945.7YESINITNo Free Speech Protection for Obscenity, Child Pornography — would have amended state constitution to exempt obscenity from the state constitution's free speech protections.
20NO28419589841624.0YESINITEqual Tax on Trade Replaces Current Taxes

NOTE: ''Detailed information about elections from 1995 to the present, including ballot measure text, sponsorship, and arguments for and against, may be found at the Oregon Secretary of State's web site.

1995

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
21YES671,02799,72887.06%YESLEGDedicates portion of lottery funds to education
22YES709,93145,31194.00%YESLEGInhabitancy in state legislative districts

1996

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
TypeBallot Title - and notes
23YES466,580177,21872.47%YESLEGIncreases Minimum Value in Controversy Required to Obtain Jury Trial
24NO279,399360,59243.66%YESLEGInitiative Petition Signatures Must Be Collected From Each Congressional District
25YES349,918289,93054.69%YESLEGRequires 3/5 Majority in Legislature to Pass Revenue-Raising Bills

November

November 5 General Election
Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
TypeBallot Title – and notes
26YES878,677440,28366.62%YESLEGChanges the Principles that Govern Laws for Punishment of Crime
27NO349,050938,81927.1%YESLEGGrants Legislature New Power Over Both New, Existing Administrative Rules
28YES708,341593,13654.43%YESLEGRepeals Certain Residency Requirements for State Veterans' Loans
29NO335,057958,94725.89%YESLEGGovernor's Appointees Must Vacate Office If Successor Not Timely Confirmed
30YES731,127566,16856.36%YESLEGState Must Pay Local Governments Costs of State-Mandated Programs
31NO630,980706,97447.16%YESLEGObscenity May Receive No Greater Protection Than Under Federal Constitution
32NO622,764704,97046.9NOREFAuthorizes Bonds for Portland Region Light Rail, Transportation Projects Elsewhere
33NO638,824652,81149.46%YESINITLimits Legislative Change to Statutes Passed by Voters
34NO570,803762,97942.8%NOINITWildlife Management Exclusive to Commission; Repeals1994 Bear/Cougar Initiative
35NO441,108807,98735.31%NOINITRestricts Bases for Providers to Receive Pay for Health Care
36YES769,725584,30356.85%NOINITIncreases Minimum Hourly Wage to $6.50 Over Three Years
37NO540,645818,33639.78%NOINITBroadens Types of Beverage Containers Requiring Deposit and Refund Value
38NO479,921852,66136.01%NOINITProhibits Livestock in Certain Polluted Waters or on Adjacent Lands
39NO569,037726,82443.91%YESINITGovernment, Private Entities Cannot Discriminate Among Health Care Provider Categories
40YES778,574544,30158.85%YESINITGives Crime Victims Rights, Expands Admissible Evidence, Limits Pretrial Release – passed, but nullified by the Oregon Supreme Court for affecting multiple portions of the constitution. Spawned multiple measures in 1999.
41NO446,115838,08834.74%YESINITStates How Public Employee Earnings Must Be Expressed
42NO460,553857,87834.93%YESINITRequires Testing of Public School Students; Public Report
43NO547,131707,58643.61%NOINITAmends Collective Bargaining Law for Public Safety Employees
44YES759,048598,54355.91%NOINITIncreases, Adds Cigarette and Tobacco Taxes; Changes Tax Revenue Distribution – increased cigarette tax by 30 cents per pack
45NO458,238866,46134.59%YESINITRaises Public Employees' Normal Retirement Age; Reduces Benefits
46NO158,5551,180,14811.84%YESINITCounts Non-Voters As "No" Votes on Tax Measures
47YES704,554642,61352.3%YESINITReduces and Limits Property Taxes; Limits Local Revenues, Replacement Fees – limited property taxes, required double-majority for some local tax increases.
48NO624,771671,09548.21%YESINITInstructs State, Federal Legislators to Vote for Congressional Term Limits

1997

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.
Type
Ballot Title – and notes
49YES699,81370,94090.8%YESLEGRestricts Inmate Lawsuits; Allows Interstate Shipment of Prison Made Products
50YES429,943341,78155.71%YESLEGLimits Assessed Value of Property for Tax Purposes; Limits Property Tax Rates – replaced Measure 47

November

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const
Amd.
Type

Ballot Title – and notes
51NO445,830666,27540.09%NOLEGRepeals Law Allowing Terminally Ill Adults To Obtain Lethal Prescription – would have repealed Oregon Death with Dignity Act
52YES805,742293,42573.3%NOLEGAuthorizes State Lottery Bond Program To Finance Public School Projects

1998

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
Type
Ballot Title
53NO303,539319,87148.69%YESLEGEliminates Voter Turnout Requirement For Passing Certain Property Tax Measures.Would have eliminated double majority requirement established by Measures 47 and 50.

November

1999

November

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
Type
Ballot Title
68YES406,526289,40758.41%YESLEGAllows Protecting Business, Certain Government Programs From Prison Work Programs.
69YES406,393292,41958.15%YESLEGGrants Victims Constitutional Rights In Criminal Prosecutions, Juvenile Court Delinquency Proceedings.
70NO289,783407,42941.56%YESLEGGives Public, Through Prosecutor, Right To Demand Jury Trial In Criminal Cases.
71YES404,404292,69658.01%YESLEGLimits Pretrial Release Of Accused Person To Protect Victims, Public.
72NO316,351382,68545.26%YESLEGAllows Murder Conviction By 11 To 1 Jury Verdict.
73NO320,160369,84346.40%YESLEGLimits Immunity From Criminal Prosecution Of Person Ordered To Testify About His Or Her Conduct.
74YES368,899325,07853.16%YESLEGRequires Terms Of Imprisonment Announced In Court Be Fully Served, With Exceptions.
75YES399,671292,44557.75%YESLEGPersons Convicted Of Certain Crimes Cannot Serve On Grand Juries, Criminal Trial Juries.
76YES372,613314,35154.24%YESLEGRequires Light, Heavy Motor Vehicle Classes Proportionately Share Highway Costs.

2000s

2000

May

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
77NO336,253432,54143.74%YESLEGMakes Certain Local Taxing Districts' Temporary Property Tax Authority Permanent
78YES528,129327,44061.73%YESLEGLengthens Period For Verifying Signatures On Initiative And Referendum Petitions
79NO356,912505,08141.41%YESLEGIncreases Signatures Required To Place Initiative Amending Constitution On Ballot
80NO310,640559,94135.68%YESLEGAuthorizes Using Fuel Tax, Vehicle Fees For Increasing Highway Policing
81NO219,009650,34825.19%YESLEGAllows Legislature To Limit Recovery Of Damages In Civil Actions
82NO109,741767,32912.51%NOREFRepeals Truck Weight—Mile Tax; Establishes And Increases Fuel Taxes

November

2002

May

September

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
19YES496,815306,44061.85%YESLEGAuthorizes Using Education Stability Fund Principal in Specified Circumstances; Transfers $150 to State School Fund; Creates School Capital Matching Matching Subaccount in Stability Funding - similar to Measure 13, but transferred less money.
20YES522,613289,11964.38%NOLEGIncreases Cigarette Tax; Uses Revenue for Health Plan, Other Programs

November

General Election: Detailed information on Measures 14-18 and 21-27, and official election results available at the Secretary of State's web site.
Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
14YES867,901352,02771.14%YESLEGRemoves Historical Racial References in Obsolete Sections of Constitution, Article VII, Article XVIII
15YES671,640535,63855.63%YESLEGAuthorizes State to Issue General Obligation Bonds for Seismic Rehabilitation of Public Education Buildings
16YES669,451530,58755.79%YESLEGAuthorizes State to Issue General Obligation Bonds for Seismic Rehabilitation of Emergency Services Buildings
17NO341,717910,33127.29%YESLEGReduces Minimum Age Requirement to Serve as State Legislator from 21 Years to 18 Years
18NO450,444704,11639.01%YESLEGAllows Certain Tax Districts to Establish Permanent Property Tax Rates and Divide into Tax Zones
21NO526,450668,25644.07%YESINITRevises Procedure for Filling Judicial Vacancies, Electing Judges; Allows Vote for "None of the Above"
22NO595,936610,06349.41%YESINITRequires Supreme Court Judges and Court of Appeals Judges to be Elected by District
23NO265,310969,53721.49%NOINITCreates Health Care Finance Plan for Medically Necessary Services; Creates Additional Income, Payroll Taxes - would have established universal health care in Oregon.
24YES907,979286,49276.02%NOINITAllows Licensed Denturists to Install Partial Dentures; Authorizes Cooperative Dentist—Denturist Business Ventures
25YES645,016611,65851.33%NOINITIncreases Oregon Minimum Wage to $6.95 in 2003; Increases for Inflation in Future Years - tied it to the consumer price index.
26YES921,606301,41575.35%YESINITProhibits Payment, Receipts of Payment Based on the Number of Initiative, Referendum Signatures
27NO371,851886,80629.54%NOLEGRequires Labeling of Genetically engineered Foods Sold or Distributed in or from Oregon. Opponents spent $5.5 million, tying an Oregon spending record.

2003

January

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title - and notes
28NO575,846676,31245.99%NOLEGTemporarily Increases Income Tax Rates - would have created a temporary 1% income tax increase to balance state budgets.

September

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
29YES360,209291,77855.25%YESLEGAuthorizes State of Oregon to Incur General Obligation Debt for Savings on Pension Liabilities.

2004

February

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
30NO481,315691,46241.04%NOREFEnacts Temporary Personal Income Tax Surcharge; Increases, Changes Corporate, Other Taxes; Avoids Specific Budget Cuts.

November

In the fall election, Measure 36 dominated public attention: 81,667 more votes were cast on Measure 36 than the average of all other measures on the ballot. Measure 37 was contentious before the election, and became more controversial after the fact, as state and local governments attempted to implement it.
Two other measures passed in 2004, both referred by the Legislature for the General Election, and neither one drawing any opposition in the Voters' Pamphlet. Measure 31 made it possible to postpone certain elections in the event of a candidate's death, and Measure 32 changed the way revenue from mobile home taxes is handled.
Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
31YES1,122,852588,50265.61%YESLEGAuthorizes Law Permitting Postponement of Election for Particular Public Office when Nominee for Office Dies.
32YES1,048,090661,57661.30%YESLEGDeletes Reference to Mobile Homes from Provision Dealing with Taxes and Fees on Motor Vehicles.
33NO764,0151,021,81442.78%NOINITAmends Medical Marijuana Act: Requires Dispensaries for Supplying Patients/Caregivers; Raises Patients' Possession Limit.
34NO659,4671,060,49638.34%NOINITRequires Balancing Timber Production, Resource Conservation/Preservation in Managing State Forests; Specifically Addresses Two Forests.
35NO869,054896,85749.21%YESINITLimits Noneconomic Damages Recoverable for Patient Injuries Caused by Healthcare Provider's Negligence or Recklessness.
36YES1,028,546787,55656.63%YESINITOnly Marriage Between One Man and One Woman is Valid or Legally Recognized as Marriage.
37YES1,054,589685,07960.62%NOINITGovernments Must Pay Owners, or Forgo Enforcement, When Certain Land Use Restrictions Reduce Property Value.
38NO670,9351,037,72239.27%NOINITAbolishes SAIF; State Must Reinsure, Satisfy SAIF's Obligations; Dedicates Proceeds, Potential Surplus to Public Purposes.

2006

In 2006, voters considered 11 statewide ballot measures. All were placed on the ballot by initiative.
Nearly all the measures were defeated. Measures extending prescription drug pricing benefits and restricting the government's power of eminent domain were the only ones that passed without qualification; a campaign finance reform system passed as well, but a companion measure that would have provided necessary constitutional support for it failed.
Out-of-state interests spent millions of dollars supporting—and in one significant case, opposing—Oregon ballot measures. None of these big-money measures passed; in fact, Measures 39 and 44 passed without drawing any organized opposition.

Unsuccessful measures

and 48 aimed to restrict the amount of money the State government could raise and spend, respectively. They were both mostly funded by the Taxpayers Association of Oregon, which in turn received nearly all its funding from Illinois-based Americans for Limited Government. Opposition to these two measures was paired as well, spending $1.9 million to defeat the two measures.
Measure 42 was promoted by conservative ballot measure activist Bill Sizemore. Sizemore broke with his custom by promoting a consumer-oriented bill, which would have outlawed the use of credit data in determining insurance premiums. Opponents of the measure spent over $3.7 million, defeating the measure. Their advertising focused heavily on Sizemore's credibility. Sizemore did not run an active campaign promoting the measure. He and his longtime political ally Loren Parks were the only people to submit arguments in favor for the Voters' Guide.
Measure 45, almost entirely financed by $1.2 million from Illinois-based U.S. Term Limits, would have established strict term limits in the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Term limits had previously been in place in the late 1990s, but the prior law was declared unconstitutional by the Oregon Supreme Court. The measure failed.
Measures 46 and 47 were presented as a single package; 46 would have amended the Constitution to allow limitations on campaign financing ; and 47 detailed specific limitations. Measure 47 passed, but in the absence of the kind of Constitutional support Measure 46 would have provided, it will have no effect. The campaigns both for and against this package were funded almost entirely from Oregon sources.
Measure 40 sought to require that judges of the Oregon Supreme Court be elected by district, rather than statewide.
Measure 43 sought to require parental notification in the event of certain teenage abortions.

Successful measures

, described by its proponents as a natural extension of 2004's Measure 37, restricted the governments powers of eminent domain. Measure 44 extended a state prescription drug benefit, previously only available to seniors, to cover all uninsured Oregonians.
Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
39YES881,820431,84467.13%NOINITProhibits Public Body from Condemning Private Real Property if Intends to Convey to Private Party - Restrict the use of Eminent Domain
40NO576,153749,40443.46%YESINITRequires Oregon Supreme Court Judges and Court of Appeals Judges to be Elected by District.
41NO483,443818,45237.13%NOINITAllows Income Tax Deduction Equal to Federal Exemptions Deduction to Substitute for State Exemption Credit
42NO479,935876,07535.39%NOINITProhibits Insurance Companies from Using Credit Score or "Credit Worthiness" in Calculating Rates or Premiums.
43NO616,876746,60645.24%NOINITRequires 48-Hour Notice to Unemancipated Minor's Parent Before Providing Abortion; Authorizes Lawsuits, Physician Discipline.
44YES1,049,594296,64977.96%NOINITAllows Any Oregon Resident Without Prescription Drug Coverage to Participate in Oregon Prescription Drug Program.
45NO555,016788,89541.30%YESINITLimits State Legislators: Six Years as Representative, Eight Years as Senator, Fourteen Years in Legislature.
46NO520,342770,25140.32%YESINITAllows Laws Regulating Election Contributions, Expenditures Adopted by Initiative or 3/4 of Both Legislative Houses
47YES694,918615,25653.04%NOINITRevises Campaign Finance Laws: Limits or Prohibits Contributions and Expenditures; Adds Disclosure, New Reporting Requirements.
48NO379,971923,62929.15%YESINITLimits Biennial Percentage Increase in State Spending to Percentage Increase in State Population, Plus Inflation.

2007

In 2007, voters considered 2 statewide ballot measures.
Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
49YES718,023437,35162.15%NOLEGModifies Measure 37; clarifies right to build homes; limits large developments; protects farms, forest, groundwater.
50NO472,063686,47040.75%YESLEGDedicates funds to provide healthcare for children, fund tobacco prevention, through increased tobacco tax.

2008

May

Three measures, all legislative referrals and all constitutional amendments, were on the May 2008 primary ballot. All three passed; the first two by wide margins, and Measure 53 by a margin so narrow that it triggered an automatic recount.
Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
51YES744,195249,14374.92%YESLEGEnables crime victims to enforce existing constitutional rights in prosecutions, delinquency proceedings; authorizes implementing legislation.
52YES738,092247,73874.87%YESLEGEnables crime victims to enforce existing constitutional rights in prosecutions, delinquency proceedings; authorizes implementing legislation.
53YES489,592489,04250.03%YESLEGModifies provisions governing civil forfeitures related to crimes; permits use of proceeds by law enforcement.

November

In November 2008, voters considered eight initiatives and four legislative referrals. The four referrals all passed, and the initiatives all failed.
Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
54YES1,194,173450,97972.59%YESLEGStandardizes voting eligibility for school board elections with other state and local elections
55YES1,251,478364,99377.42%YESLEGChanges operative date of redistricting plans; allows affected legislators to finish term in original district
56YES959,118735,50056.60%YESLEGProvides that May and November property tax elections are decided by majority of voters voting
57YES1,058,955665,94261.39%NOLEGIncreases sentences for drug trafficking, theft against elderly and specified repeat property and identity theft crimes; requires addiction treatment for certain offenders.
58NO756,903977,69643.64%NOINITProhibits teaching public school student in language other than English for more than two years
59NO615,8941,084,42236.22%NOINITCreates an unlimited deduction for federal income taxes on individual taxpayers' Oregon income-tax returns
60NO673,2961,070,68238.61%NOINITTeacher "classroom performance," not seniority, determines pay raises; "most qualified" teachers retained, regardless of seniority
61NO848,901887,16548.90%NOINITCreates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain theft, identity theft, forgery, drug, and burglary crimes
62NO674,4281,035,75639.44%YESINITAllocates 15% of lottery proceeds to public safety fund for crime prevention, investigation, prosecution
63NO784,376928,72145.79%NOINITExempts specified property owners from building permit requirements for improvements valued at/under 35,000 dollars
64NO835,563854,32749.44%NOINITPenalizes person, entity for using funds collected with "public resource" for "political purpose"
65NO553,6401,070,58034.09%NOINITChanges general election nomination processes for major/minor party, independent candidates for most partisan offices

2010s

2010

January

May

November

2012

November

2014

November

2016

May

November

2018

January

November

2020

Meas.
Num.
Passed?YES
votes
NO
votes
%
YES
Const.
Amd.?
TypeBallot Title
TBDTBDTBDTBDYESLEGOregon Campaign Finance Limits Amendment
TBDTBDTBDTBDNOLEGTobacco and E-Cigarette Tax Increase for Health Programs Measure
TBDTBDTBDTBDNOINITDrug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative
TBDTBDTBDTBDNOINITPsilocybin Program Initiative