Oregon Ballot Measures: When Do They Become Law?

Ballot measures in Oregon can be proposed by citizens or the state legislature. Citizens can initiate legislation as a state statute or a constitutional amendment, and they can also repeal legislation via veto referendum. The Oregon State Legislature can also place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments or state statutes with a majority vote of each chamber.

For citizen-initiated ballot measures, signatures from Oregon voters are required. The number of signatures needed depends on the type of measure and is calculated as a percentage of the number of votes cast for the governor of Oregon in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. For example, constitutional amendments require signatures from 8% of recent voters, while veto referendums require 4%.

Once a ballot measure is approved by voters, it becomes law 30 days after the election.

Ballot measures in Oregon can be proposed by citizens or the state legislature

Citizen-Proposed Ballot Measures

Citizens of Oregon can initiate legislation as either a state statute or a constitutional amendment. Citizens also have the power to repeal legislation via veto referendum. To initiate legislation through the petition process, citizens must gather a certain number of signatures. The signatures of at least 1,000 electors are required. The number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute, constitutional amendment, or veto referendum measure for the ballot in Oregon is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. Valid citizen signatures equaling eight percent of these votes are needed for initiated constitutional amendments, six percent for initiated state statutes, and four percent for a veto referendum.

Legislature-Proposed Ballot Measures

The Oregon State Legislature may also place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments or legislatively referred state statutes with a majority vote of each chamber. The legislature may refer any bill it passes to the public for approval, and they 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 existing provisions of the Constitution.

Citizens can propose ballot measures through the petition process

In Oregon, citizens can propose ballot measures through the petition process. This process is known as an initiative.

To initiate an initiative, citizens must first submit a prospective petition. This includes the text of the measure, a form disclosing the planned use of paid circulators, and a form designating up to three chief petitioners. After these items have been submitted, the Elections Division provides petitioners with cover and signature sheet templates for gathering preliminary signatures.

The number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute, constitutional amendment, or veto referendum measure for the ballot in Oregon is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. For an initiated constitutional amendment, valid citizen signatures equaling eight percent of these votes are needed. For an initiated state statute, signatures equaling six percent of these votes are required. And for a veto referendum, signatures equal to four percent of the votes cast for governor are needed.

Signatures for Oregon initiatives must be submitted four months prior to the next regular general election. For measures targeting the November 3, 2020, ballot, the deadline was Friday, July 2, 2020. If signatures are submitted at least 165 days before an election and the petition is found insufficient, additional signatures can be submitted prior to the final deadline.

The Oregon State Legislature can place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments or state statutes

In Oregon, citizens can initiate legislation as a state statute or a constitutional amendment. The Oregon State Legislature can also place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments or state statutes with a majority vote of each chamber.

Citizens of Oregon can initiate legislation through the petition process. To get measures on the ballot, citizens must gather a certain number of signatures. The signatures of at least 1,000 electors are required. The number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute, constitutional amendment, or veto referendum measure for the ballot in Oregon is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. Valid citizen signatures equaling eight (8) percent of these votes are needed for initiated constitutional amendments, six (6) percent for initiated state statutes, and four (4) percent for a veto referendum.

The Oregon State Legislature may also place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments or state statutes with a majority vote of each chamber. The legislature may refer any bill it passes to the public for approval, and they 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 existing provisions of the Constitution.

Citizens can initiate legislation as a state statute or a constitutional amendment

Citizens in Oregon can initiate legislation as a state statute or a constitutional amendment. This is known as a citizen-initiated ballot measure. In Oregon, there are no restrictions on the subject matter of ballot measures, and measures are not required to specify a funding source for mandated expenditures.

Initiating a ballot measure

To initiate a ballot measure, citizens must first submit the text of the measure, a form disclosing their planned use of paid circulators, and a form designating up to three chief petitioners. After these items have been submitted, the Elections Division provides petitioners with cover and signature sheet templates for gathering preliminary signatures.

Collecting signatures

The number of signatures required to qualify a measure for the ballot in Oregon is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. Valid signatures equaling eight percent of these votes are needed for initiated constitutional amendments, and signatures equal to six percent of these votes are required for initiated state statutes. Signatures equal to four percent of the votes cast for governor are needed for a veto referendum.

Ballot title and summary

In addition to a generic title, each Oregon ballot measure also receives a ballot title prior to circulation. This title includes a 15-word caption, two 25-word statements explaining the effect of a "yes" vote and a "no" vote, and an impartial 125-word summary of the measure.

Getting on the ballot

Once signatures have been collected, state officials must verify that requirements are met and that fraudulent signatures are excluded. In Oregon, signatures are verified using a random sample method.

The election and beyond

Ballot measures face additional challenges beyond qualifying for the ballot and receiving a majority of the vote. Several states require ballot measures to get more than a simple majority. While some states mandate a three-fifths supermajority, other states set the margin differently. In addition, ballot measures may face legal challenges or modifications by legislators. If a ballot measure does fail, some states limit how soon that initiative can be re-attempted.

Citizens can repeal legislation via veto referendum

Citizens in Oregon can repeal legislation via veto referendum. This is a form of direct democracy that allows citizens to challenge a law passed by the state legislature and put it to a popular vote.

In Oregon, citizens can initiate legislation as either a state statute or a constitutional amendment. The Oregon State Legislature may also place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments or legislatively referred state statutes with a majority vote of each chamber.

The number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute, constitutional amendment, or veto referendum measure for the ballot in Oregon is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. Valid signatures equalling eight percent of these votes are needed for initiated constitutional amendments, six percent for initiated state statutes, and four percent for a veto referendum.

Signatures for Oregon initiatives must be submitted four months before the next regular general election. For measures targeting the November 3, 2020, ballot, the deadline was July 2, 2020. If signatures are submitted at least 165 days before an election and the petition is found insufficient, additional signatures can be submitted prior to the final deadline.

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