Oregon Measure 21, Judicial Vacancies and Elections Initiative (2002)
Oregon Measure 21 | |
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Election date |
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Topic State judicial selection |
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Status |
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Type Initiated constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 21 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Oregon on November 5, 2002. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported requiring filling judicial vacancies through elections in the closest May or November election 90 days after the vacancy and adding “None of the Above” as an option on judicial ballots. |
A "no" vote opposed requiring filling judicial vacancies through elections in the closest May or November election 90 days after the vacancy and adding “None of the Above” as an option on judicial ballots. |
Election results
Oregon Measure 21 |
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Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
Yes | 526,450 | 44.07% | ||
668,256 | 55.93% |
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 21 was as follows:
“ | AMENDS CONSTITUTION: REVISES PROCEDURE FOR FILLING JUDICIAL VACANCIES, ELECTING JUDGES; ALLOWS VOTE FOR “NONE OF THE ABOVE” RESULT OF “YES” VOTE: “Yes” vote revises manner of filling judicial vacancies; modifies ballots and election procedure in judicial elections; adds “None of the Above” as official judicial candidate. RESULT OF “NO” VOTE: “No” vote retains the current manner of filling judicial vacancies and current election procedure where the judicial candidate receiving a plurality of votes is elected. SUMMARY: Amends constitution. Currently, the governor fills midterm judicial vacancies by appointment; appointees serve until the vacancy is filled at the next general election held more than 61 days after the vacancy occurs. Measure requires midterm judicial vacancies to be filled by election at the closest May or November election held more than 90 days after the vacancy occurs. In all judicial elections, measure requires election ballot to list candidates and also list “None of the Above” as an available choice. If “None of the Above” receives more votes than all other candidates on the ballot, the judicial office remains unfilled until a candidate other than “None of the Above” receives a plurality of votes cast at subsequent May and/or November special elections. Other provisions. ESTIMATE OF FINANCIAL IMPACT: No financial effect on state or local government expenditures or revenues. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval unless the initiative proposes changing vote requirements, then the initiative must be approved by the same supermajority requirement as proposed by the measure.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
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