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Types of ballot measures in Oregon
 |
| Initiated |
| • Initiated constitutional amendment |
| • Initiated state statute |
| • Veto referendum |
| Legislative |
| • Legislative constitutional amendment |
| • Legislative state statute |
| • Legislative bond issue |
| • Advisory question |
| Other |
| • Automatic ballot referral |
| • Commission-referred measure |
| • Convention-referred amendment |
| Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures. |
In Oregon, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Oregon State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Oregon.
The types of state ballot measures in Oregon are:
- Initiated constitutional amendments
- Initiated state statutes
- Veto referendums
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
- Legislatively referred state statutes
- Advisory questions
- Constitutional revision questions
- Constitutional convention questions
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Oregon, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. In 1902, voters adopted a constitutional amendment allowing for initiated constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums.
Initiated constitutional amendments
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
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.
Initiated state statutes
- See also: Initiated state statute
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.
Veto referendums
- See also: Veto referendum
A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 4% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oregon State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 31 votes in the Oregon House of Representatives and 16 votes in the Oregon State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Legislatively referred state statutes
- See also: Legislatively referred state statute
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oregon State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 31 votes in the Oregon House of Representatives and 16 votes in the Oregon State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Advisory questions
- See also: Advisory question
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oregon State Legislature to place an advisory question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 31 votes in the Oregon House of Representatives and 16 votes in the Oregon State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
Constitutional revision questions
- See also: Constitutional revision
The Oregon Constitution is also explicit about the process for constitutional revision. Section 2 of Article XVII of the state constitution authorizes either chamber of the state legislature to propose a revision of part or all of the constitution. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required to place the revision on the ballot as one question. A simple majority vote by the electorate is required to adopt the revision.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
Section 1 of Article XVIII of the Oregon Constitution states that a constitutional convention can only be held if "the law providing for such convention shall first be approved by the people on a referendum vote at a regular general election." The constitution does not define how such a referendum is to be put before voters.
Other types of ballot measures
Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:
See also
- List of Oregon ballot measures
- Laws governing ballot measures in Oregon
- Laws governing the initiative process
- States with initiative or referendum
- States without initiative or referendum
- Amending state constitutions
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