Oregon 1978 ballot measures

1980 →

← 1977

In 1978, voters decided on 18 statewide ballot measures in Oregon. On May 23, voters decided on six measures. On November 7, voters decided on 12 measures.

• One of the measures was an advisory question.
• Three of the measures were initiated constitutional amendments.
• Four of the measures were initiated state statutes.
• Seven of the measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
• Two of the measures were legislatively referred state statutes.
• One of the measures was a veto referendum.
• Voters approved ten (55.6%) and rejected eight (44.4%) measures.

On the ballot

May 23, 1978

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Measure 1	Initiative process; Local government	Require a 90-day minimum for filing petitions and set signature requirements for petitions based on the county's Governor election percentage.	a	306,506 (66%)	156,623 (34%)
LRCA	Measure 2	Legislature	Require open joint committees meetings and establish rules for transparency in each house and joint activities involving both houses.	a	435,338 (84%)	80,176 (16%)
LRCA	Measure 3	Public assistance; Housing	Authorizes bonds up to one-half of one percent of true cash value of taxable property to fund multifamily housing for low income elderly.	a	291,778 (54%)	250,810 (46%)
LRCA	Measure 4	Water; Bonds	Authorize bond debt up to 0.5% of the value of property in the state to acquire local government obligations for public water systems.		148,822 (30%)	351,843 (70%)
LRSS	Measure 5	Taxes; Transportation	Prioritize highway maintenance under the Six Year Highway Improvement Plan before new highway construction and increase the state motor vehicle fuel tax from 7¢ to 9¢ per gallon.		190,301 (34%)	365,170 (66%)

November 7, 1978

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
CICA	Measure 10	Administration; Legislature; Property	Require the legislature to assume the Land Conservation and Development Commission's policy-making responsibilities.		334,523 (39%)	515,138 (61%)
LRCA	Measure 11	Taxes; Property	Halve homeowners' taxes by up to $1,500 and offer similar relief to renters; freeze assessed property values for one tax year.		334,523 (39%)	515,138 (61%)
LRAQ	Measure 12	Federal issues; Balanced budget	Advise officials of support for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would "require a federal balanced budget, except in the event of a national emergency"	a	641,862 (83%)	134,758 (17%)
LRCA	Measure 1	Judiciary	Authorize the governor to appoint judges from nonpartisan nominations, serving until the next general election, followed by a six-year elected term.		358,504 (44%)	449,132 (56%)
LRCA	Measure 2	Legislature; Executive officials	Require State Senate confirmation for Governor-appointed state public offices, excluding judges, U.S. Senators and Representatives, and local positions.	a	468,458 (57%)	349,604 (43%)
VR	Measure 3	Taxes; Transportation	Require annual vehicle registration, adjust carrier rates, reduce recreational vehicle fees, and require emissions tests for Portland Metropolitan Area vehicles.		208,722 (24%)	673,802 (76%)
CISS	Measure 4	Utilities	Allow the creation of People’s Utility Districts to authorize bonds for initial utility facilities and supply public utility services and shorten formation procedures.		375,587 (44%)	471,027 (56%)
CISS	Measure 5	Healthcare; Business	Require the licensing of denturists and their assistants, establish licensing requirements, and create the Advisory Council on Denture Technology.	a	704,480 (78%)	201,463 (22%)
CICA	Measure 6	Taxes; Property	Limit ad valorem real property taxes to 1.5% “full cash value," with a maximum 2% annual inflation increase.		424,029 (48%)	453,741 (52%)
CICA	Measure 7	Abortion	Prohibit state agencies from spending public money for abortions and from providing any programs or services promoting abortion		431,577 (48%)	461,542 (52%)
CISS	Measure 8	Death penalty	Require a separate sentencing procedure after a murder conviction with the death penalty based on the judge’s findings of deliberate actions and ongoing threat to society.	a	573,707 (64%)	318,610 (36%)
CISS	Measure 9	Utilities	Prohibit public utilities from collecting rates based on non-utility-related costs.	a	589,361 (69%)	267,132 (31%)

See also

• Laws governing the initiative process in Oregon
• Types of ballot measures in Oregon
• List of Oregon ballot measures
• 1978 ballot measures

External links

• Oregon Voter Guide (May 1978)
• Oregon Voter Guide (November 1978)