Oregon Measure 88, Alternative Driver Licenses Referendum (2014)

Measure 88 Type Veto referendum Origin Citizens Topic Immigration Status Defeated d

2014 measures November 4 Meausre 86 d Measure 87 a Measure 88 d Measure 89 a Measure 90 d Measure 91 a Measure 92 d Endorsements Polls • Expenditures Local measures

The Oregon Alternative Driver Licenses Referendum, Measure 88 was on the November 4, 2014 ballot in Oregon as a veto referendum, where it was defeated. The measure subjected Senate Bill 833 to a popular vote. If it had been upheld, SB 833 would have made four-year driver licenses available to those who cannot prove legal presence in the United States.

Aftermath

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced new steps in immigration reform that would include issuing three-year federal work permits to more than four million eligible illegal immigrants. This action would have the potential to provide the documentation needed for illegal immigrants to obtain drivers' licenses, regardless of the defeat of Measure 88. The new immigration plans were set to go into effect on February 18, 2015, but were put on hold as a result of a ruling by Judge Andrew S. Hanen of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Judge Hanen ruled in favor of Texas and 25 other states that challenged President Obama's immigration actions. The President has stated that he plans to appeal the ruling and the government continues to prepare to put the actions into effect, although they will not accept any applications until the case is settled.

Election results

Below are the official, certified election results:

Oregon Measure 88
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		983,576	66.00%
Yes		506,751	34.00%

Election results via: Oregon Secretary of State

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title read as follows:

“

Provides Oregon resident "driver card" without requiring proof of legal residence in the United States Result of "Yes" Vote: "Yes" vote directs Department of Transportation to issue "driver card" to Oregon resident meeting specified eligibility, without requiring proof of legal presence in United States. Results of "No" Vote: "No" vote rejects law directing Department of Transportation to issue "driver card" to eligible Oregon resident without requiring proof of legal presence in United States. Summary:Current law requires any applicant for an Oregon driver license or permit to provide proof of legal presence in the United States. Measure directs the Department of Transportation to issue a "driver card" to an applicant who does not provide proof of legal presence in the United States, but who has otherwise complied with all Oregon requirements for the type of driving privileges sought, has provided proof of residence in Oregon for more than one year, and has provided proof of identity and date of birth. The driver card may not be used as identification for air travel, to enter a federal building, to register to vote or obtain any government benefit requiring proof of citizenship or lawful presence in United States. Other provisions.

”

Full text

If SB 833 had been upheld by voters, it would have amended Oregon Revised Statutes 366.505, 367.173, 367.605, 802.110, 802.160, 802.200, 807.130, 807.310 and 807.375.

The full text of SB 833 can be read here.

Background

In the ongoing debate surrounding immigration reform in the United States, Oregon was one of several states to propose requirements relating to driver licenses in 2013. California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada and Vermont all changed license eligibility requirements to allow unauthorized residents access to them. New Mexico, Utah and Washington already had such laws at the time, and Georgia and Maine enacted more limited measures. Approximately 25 states considered measures on the subject in 2013. In total, 35 laws were enacted on the subject, and the District of Columbia sent one to Congress.

Support

Note: A yes vote would have upheld SB 833. Therefore, supporters of SB 833 were campaigning for a "yes" vote on Measure 88.

YES on Oregon Safe Roads was the primary organization supporting the passage of this veto referendum.

Supporters

Officials

• Governor John Kitzhaber (D)

Organizations

• YES on Oregon Safe Roads
• 18th Avenue Peace House
• ACLU of Oregon
• Adelante Mujeres
• AFSCME Council 75
• Ainsworth United Church of Christ
• American Federation of Teachers, Oregon
• American Immigration Lawyers’ Association: OR Chapter
• APANO
• Basic Rights Oregon Education Fund
• Bridgeport United Church of Christ
• Capaces Leadership Institute
• Cascade AIDS Project
• Causa Oregon
• Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO)
• Sam Chase, Metro Councilor
• City Club of Portland
• Coalition of Communities of Color
• Colored Pencils Art and Culture Council
• Community Alliance of Lane County
• Community Alliance of Tenants
• Council of Filipino-American Associations (CFAA)
• Don Pancho Mercado
• Eastside Democratic Club
• Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
• Edúcate Ya
• El Jarro Azul
• Enlace
• Episcopal Bishop of Oregon
• Fair Share Research and Education Fund
• Hacienda CDC
• Hect and Norman LLC
• Hispanic Pros LLC
• Immigrant Law Group
• Immigrant Law Group PC
• Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice
• Las Mujeres de la Raza
• Latino Network
• Latino Business Alliance
• Latinos Unidos Siempre
• Mano a Mano Family Center
• Marandas and McClellan, LLC
• M.E.Ch.A. de Southeast
• Mi Tierra LLC
• Methodist Federation for Social Action (OR-ID)
• Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good
• Mujeres Luchadores Progresistas
• NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
• Northwest Workers’ Justice Project
• Office of Life, Justice and Peace for the Archdioceses of Portland
• OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon
• Oregon Action
• Oregon AFL-CIO
• Oregon Business Association
• Oregon BUS Project
• Oregon Catholic Conference
• Oregon Center for the Christian Voices
• Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
• Oregon Dreamers
• Oregon Foundation for Reproductive Health
• Oregon Latino Health Coalition
• Oregon NOW
• Oregon Association of Nurseries
• Oregon Progressive
• Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association
• Oregon Voice
• Oregon Walks
• Oregon Winegrowers Association
• Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters
• Parkrose Community UCC
• Partnership for Safety and Justice
• PCUN
• Plaza Latina
• Pride at Work Oregon
• Pride Foundation
• Q Center
• Rural Organizing Project
• Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality
• SEIU Local 49
• SEIU Local 503
• Self Enhancement, Inc
• Slavic Community Center
• Spect-Actors Collective
• St. Andrew Catholic Church
• Taco Loco
• The Basement: An Eclectic Closet
• United Agriculture Workers of America
• United Farm Workers of America
• United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 555
• Urban League of Portland
• Voz Hispana Causa Chavista
• Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project
• Western States Center
• Widman Immigration Law Group
• Wy’east Unitarian Universalist Congregation
• Zion United Church of Christ

Individuals

• Ron Louie, Retired Hillsboro Police Chief

Arguments

Yes on 88 for Safe Roads, "Yes on 88: Mayra," August 1, 2014

Yes on 88 for Safe Roads, "Yes on 88: Dr. Richardson," August 1, 2014

YES on Oregon Safe Roads provided the following arguments in favor of Measure 88 on its campaign website:

“	Vote YES for Safe Roads. Measure 88 is a common sense measure to keep our roads and communities safe. Voting YES allows the DMV to issue “driver cards” to Oregon residents who meet the following requirements: Pass the State’s written driver knowledge test; Pass the State’s behind-the-wheel driver test; Provide proof of residence in Oregon for more than one year; and Provide proof of identity and date of birth. The driver card may not be used as identification for air travel, to enter a federal building, to register to vote, or to obtain any government benefit requiring proof of citizenship or lawful presence in United States. Driver cards help Oregon residents follow the law and improve safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians by reducing the number of uninsured and unlicensed drivers on the road. Immigrant families and workers, seniors and veterans are among the thousands of Oregonians who need this option to safely get to work, church and school.	”
—YES on Oregon Safe Roads

Campaign contributions

The following information was current as of December 1, 2014.

PAC info:

PAC	Amount raised	Amount spent
YES on Oregon Safe Roads	$608,461.66	$592,280.12
Total	$608,461.66	$592,280.12

Top contributors:

Donor	Amount
SEIU Local 503	$100,000
Latino Victory Project	$50,000
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union	$25,000
Service Employees Int'L Union Local 49 Committee on Political Education (4213)	$20,000
School Employees Exercising Democracy	$20,000

Opposition

Note: A no vote rejected SB 833. Therefore, opponents of SB 833 were campaigning for a "no" vote on Measure 88.

Opponents

The campaign opposed to the referendum was managed by Oregonians for Immigration Reform, as well as Protect Oregon Driver Licenses.

Officials

• Tom Bergin, Clatsop County Sheriff
• Sen. Tim Knopp (R-27)
• Sen. Jeff Kruse (R-1)
• Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-6)
• Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-25)

Former officials

• Tim Mueller, retired sheriff

Organizations

• Oregonians for Immigration Reform PAC
• Sheriffs of Oregon PAC
• Protect Oregon Driver Licenses

Individuals

• Dave Driscoll, retired Salem police officer
• Duane Fletchall, retired Marion County Sheriff's department sergeant
• Derek Hernadez, Western Region National Border Patrol Council Vice President
• Michael W. Cutler, retired INS senior special agent
• Gary Fleming Jr., Hudspeth County sheriff's office public information officer
• Tyler Smith, lawyer
• Maria Espinoza, National Director of The Remembrance Project
• Eddie Garcia, EVG Consulting Co. consultant
• D.A. King, Dustin Inman Society President
• Don Rosenberg, entertainment executive

Arguments

Protect Oregon Driver Licenses listed the following as arguments against Measure 88:

“

Illegal immigration is a serious problem in the U.S. Neglect of enforcement of the immigration laws, over the past several decades as well as currently, has resulted in millions of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. without inspection, a dangerous situation from the standpoint of national security and public health. For example, the 19 September 11 terrorists carried among them over 30 state driver's licenses and identification cards using over 300 aliases. These documents allowed them to obtain housing, transportation and other accommodations without raising suspicion while they planned and executed their deadly conspiracy that fateful day. Accommodating illegal aliens invites more to come. Recent history clearly shows this. Illegal immigration inflates the population, further burdening our already-stressed natural environment. It adversely affects the labor market and swamps our overburdened entitlement programs. Citizens are forced to compete with illegal aliens for jobs, causing significant unemployment and wage depression. Loss of respect for the rule of law grows as a consequence of such legislation. Observance of the rule of law is essential for a successful economy and a civil society.

”

Campaign contributions

The following information was current as of December 1, 2014.

PAC info:

PAC	Amount raised	Amount spent
Oregonians for Immigration Reform PAC	$30,241.50	$27,667.73
Protect Oregon Driver Licenses Committee	$55,732.06	$55,380.88
Total	$85,973.56	$83,048.61

Disclaimer: The group Oregonians for Immigration Reform is a general PAC that advocates for immigration reform and was not formed solely to contribute to Measure 88. Therefore, it is difficult to break down how much of the organization's money was specifically spent on the campaign for this measure. Readers should not assume that all or even most of a donation to a multi-purpose committee was used for expenditures related to this particular measure.

Total campaign cash
Support:	$608,461.66
Opposition:	$85,973.56

Top 5 contributors:

Donor	Amount
Oregonians for Immigration Reform	$15,479.56
Jay Woodworth	$10,000
John Woodworth	$5,000
Future Forests, LLC	$5,000
Protect Oregon Driver Licenses Committee	$3,500

Media editorial positions

See also: Endorsements of Oregon ballot measures, 2014

Support

• The Oregonian said,

“	The argument in favor of driver's cards is straightforward and reasonable, but it rests on an acknowledgement that the real world is a messy place in which inconsistency can be the best policy. Measure 88 would, indeed, grant a privilege to people whose very presence in this country violates the law. While the four-year card could not be used as ID for the purposes of voting or buying a gun, it would allow people who aren't supposed to be here at all to drive around with the state's blessing. Weird? Sure, a little. But it makes better sense than the status quo, in which thousands of people who are not in this country legally are driving anyway – without licenses.	”
—The Oregonian

• The Statesman Journal said,

“	Many such immigrants arrived as children or were escaping horrific conditions in their home country. They want to be as legal as possible in their adopted country, which includes driving legally and carrying auto insurance. That is why 10 other states have adopted similar laws. This is a simple measure to make Oregon roads safer. It deserves Oregonians' support.	”
—Statesman Journal

• The Corvallis Gazette-Times said,

“	We unconditionally support Measure 88, which would authorize the Oregon Department of Transportation to issue a resident “driver card” without requiring proof of legal residence in the United States...It is a reasonable highway interim safety measure made necessary by the paralysis in Washington, D.C., over immigration reform — shameful inaction that has left more than 12 million people in the United States without a reasonable path to citizenship.	”
—Corvallis Gazette-Times

• The Skanner said,

“	Our communities are far from reaching a consensus on improving our immigration laws and processes; but whatever you may think about the reform debate, this measure would make our roads safer and encourage a more humane attitude towards working families across the state. We vote YES.	”
—Skanner

Polls

See also: Polls, 2014 ballot measures

Legend      Position is ahead and at or over 50%     Position is ahead or tied, but under 50%

Rasmussen Reports conducted a national poll of 1,000 likely voters on October 4 and 5, 2013, regarding attitudes towards immigration policies. Two of the questions included in the survey were:

• "Should illegal immigrants be eligible for driver’s licenses in your state?"
• "Will allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses help or hurt public safety, or will it have no impact?"

Of likely voters, 68 percent opposed allowing illegal immigrants driver licenses and 22 percent favored such practices. The margin of error for the survey was plus or minus 3 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence.

Oregon Alternative Driver Licenses Referendum (2014)
Poll	Support	Oppose	Not sure	Margin of error	Sample size
DHM Research 10/08/2014 - 10/11/2014	31%	60%	8%	+/-4.3	516
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Path to the ballot

See also: Oregon signature requirements

In order to qualify for the ballot, supporters were required to collect a minimum of 58,142 valid signatures within 90 days after the end of the 2013 legislative session. The secretary of state set the referendum's petition deadline for October 4, 2013. Supporters turned in nearly 71,000 signatures, though the secretary of state's office confirmed that only 58,291 of these proved to be valid.

See also

Suggest a link

• 2014 ballot measures
• Oregon 2014 ballot measures
• Laws governing the initiative process in Oregon

External links

• Senate Bill 833

Support links

• YES on Oregon Safe Roads website,
• YES on Oregon Safe Roads, Facebook profile
• YES on Oregon Safe Roads Twitter feed
• YES on Oregon Safe Roads YouTube channel

Opposition links

• Oregonians for Immigration Reform website and Facebook profile
• Protect Oregon Driver Licenses website and Facebook profile

Additional reading

• City Club of Portland, "A City Club Report on Measure 88: Driver Cards," August 6, 2014
• The Oregonian, "Oregon driver card proponents launch their fall ballot campaign," August 4, 2014
• Bloomberg, "Colorado Overwhelmed by Immigrant License Requests," July 31, 2014
• Statesman Journal, "Battle lines drawn for November's 7 ballot measures," July 26, 2014
• Associated Press, "Pot, immigration, food labels likely headed for Oregon ballots," July 5, 2014
• The Register-Guard, "EDITORIAL: 2014 ballot takes shape; number of ballot measures well below average," July 9, 2014
• The Oregonian, "With driver cards, illegal immigrants will take Oregon jobs: Guest opinion," January 25, 2014
• National Conference of State Legislatures, "2013 Immigration Report," January 20, 2014
• Newsmax, "States Buck Public Opinion, Offer Driver's Licenses to Illegals," January 10, 2014