Oregon Measure 4, Formation of People's Utility Districts Initiative (1978)
| Oregon Measure 4 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic Utility policy |
|
| Status |
|
| Type Initiated state statute |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 4 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in Oregon on November 7, 1978. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported allowing for the formation of People’s Utility Districts to authorize bonds for initial utility facilities and supply public utility services and shortening formation procedures. |
A "no" vote opposed allowing for the formation of People’s Utility Districts to authorize bonds for initial utility facilities and supply public utility services and shortening formation procedures. |
Election results
|
Oregon Measure 4 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 375,587 | 44.36% | ||
|
|
471,027 | 55.64% | ||
-
- Results are officially certified.
- Source
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 4 was as follows:
| “ | SHORTENS FORMATION PROCEDURES FOR PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICTS Purpose: Allows single election authorizing People’s Utility District formation, including authority for revenue bond issuance for initial facilities, subject to qualified engineer’s certificate that district revenues will be sufficient to repay bonds. Shortens formation, annexation, consolidation procedures, substituting county governing body for State Energy Director. Authorizes PUDs to supply public utility service. Allows exclusion of electric cooperatives, municipalities. Protects some existing benefits for employes of acquired private utilities. General obligation bond issuance requires voter approval. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 6% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
 |
State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
