Oregon 1996 ballot measures

1997 →

← 1995

In 1996, voters decided on 26 statewide ballot measures in Oregon. On May 21, voters decided on three measures. On November 5, voters decided on 23 measures.

• Nine of the measures were initiated constitutional amendments.
• Seven of the measures were initiated state statutes.
• Nine of the measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
• One of the measures was a veto referendum.
• Voters approved eight (30.8%) and rejected 18 (69.2%) measures.

On the ballot

May 21, 1996

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Measure 23	Trials	Increase the minimum threshold for jury trial guarantees in lawsuits from $200 to $750.	a	466,580 (72%)	177,218 (28%)
LRCA	Measure 24	Initiative process	Change the initiative process signature requirements, requiring collection from all congressional districts.		279,399 (44%)	360,592 (56%)
LRCA	Measure 25	Legislature; Legislature	Require a three-fifths majority in each house to pass revenue-raising bills.	a	349,918 (55%)	289,930 (45%)

November 5, 1996

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Measure 26	Constitutional wording; Corrections	Provide constitutional language for crime law punishment to focus on protecting society, personal responsibility, accountability, and reformation	a	878,677 (67%)	440,283 (33%)
LRCA	Measure 27	Administration; Legislature	Authorize the legislature to change and create state agency rules and require such agencies to file with a new legislative committee for new rules or rule changes.		349,050 (27%)	938,819 (73%)
LRCA	Measure 28	Veterans	Repeal pre-service or five-year residency requirements for veterans to receive veterans’ home and farm loans.	a	708,341 (54%)	593,136 (46%)
LRCA	Measure 29	Executive officials	Require governor’s appointees to vacate office ninety days after their term.		335,057 (26%)	958,947 (74%)
LRCA	Measure 30	Budgets	Require the state government to pay local governments for the costs of state-mandated programs.	a	731,127 (56%)	566,168 (44%)
LRCA	Measure 31	Sexual content regulations	Provide that "obscenity, including child pornography," receives no more free speech protection than under the U.S. Constitution.		630,980 (47%)	706,974 (53%)
VR	Measure 32	Transportation; Bonds	Authorize lottery bonds for a regional light rail in the Portland Metropolitan Area and other transportation projects.		622,764 (47%)	704,970 (53%)
CICA	Measure 33	Initiative process; Legislature	Prohibit legislative changes to laws from initiatives or referendums for five years and require a three-fifths legislative vote to alter or nullify the law after this period.		638,824 (49%)	652,811 (51%)
CISS	Measure 34	Game and fish commissions; Hunting	Provide sole authority to the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to manage wildlife and repeal Measure 18 of 1994, allowing hunters to utilize bait and dogs when hunting for bears or cougars.		570,803 (43%)	762,979 (57%)
CISS	Measure 35	Business; Healthcare governance	Limit pay bases for healthcare providers to work performed, hourly wages, prearranged salary or benefits, bonuses, or expense reimbursement.		441,108 (35%)	807,987 (65%)
CISS	Measure 36	Minimum wage	Increase the state minimum wage from $4.75 to $6.50 per hour over three years.	a	769,725 (57%)	584,303 (43%)
CISS	Measure 37	Pollution	Require consumers and dealers to pay deposits on additional types of beverage cans and receive funds for recycling them.		540,645 (40%)	818,336 (60%)
CISS	Measure 38	Agriculture; Water; Environment	Prohibit livestock compromising state water quality standards from accessing marked water bodies and adjacent affected lands.		479,921 (36%)	852,661 (64%)
CICA	Measure 39	Constitutional rights; Healthcare governance	Provide that persons have a state constitutional right to receive services from their chosen category of health care provider		569,037 (44%)	726,824 (56%)
CICA	Measure 40	Crime victims	Add crime victims' rights to the constitution.	a	778,574 (59%)	544,301 (41%)
CICA	Measure 41	Labor	Require public employees’ earnings to be expressed as costs borne by the employer for the employee’s benefit.		446,115 (35%)	838,088 (65%)
CICA	Measure 42	Education	Require annual standardized testing for public school students in grades 4-12		460,553 (35%)	857,878 (65%)
CISS	Measure 43	Labor	Reinstate collective bargaining for public safety employees and maintain prohibition of striking by public safety employees.		547,131 (44%)	707,586 (56%)
CISS	Measure 44	Taxes; Tobacco	Increase cigarette and tobacco products taxes, directing revenues to the Oregon Health Plan, tobacco use reduction, and general fund.	a	759,048 (56%)	598,543 (44%)
CICA	Measure 45	Public retirement funds	Raise public employees’ normal retirement age, eliminate medical benefits for non-disability retirees, and limit guaranteed benefits.		458,238 (35%)	866,461 (65%)
CICA	Measure 46	Supermajority; Initiative process	Require that a measure to enact a tax or increase a tax must receive approval from a majority of registered voters		158,555 (12%)	1,180,148 (88%)
CICA	Measure 47	Taxes	Limit property tax collection; require voter approval for new or increased property taxes; and prohibit property assessment beyond market value.	a	704,554 (52%)	642,613 (48%)
CICA	Measure 48	Federal issues	Instruct state legislators and congressional delegation to vote for congressional term limits to the federal constitution.		624,771 (48%)	671,095 (52%)

See also

• Laws governing the initiative process in Oregon
• Types of ballot measures in Oregon
• List of Oregon ballot measures
• 1996 ballot measures

External links

• Oregon Voter Guide (May 1996)
• Oregon Voter Guide (November 1996)