Oregon’s ballot measure returns brought surprises on Tuesday night, as Oregon voters rejected marijuana legalization and Portland voters approved Mayor Sam Adams’ controversial $35 arts tax for Portland citizens.
Oregon’s ballot measure returns brought surprises on Tuesday night, as Oregon voters rejected marijuana legalization and Portland voters approved Mayor Sam Adams’ controversial $35 arts tax for Portland citizens.
Measure 80, written by Paul Stanford of the Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, would have legalized marijuana for personal use with state regulation. The measure failed, carrying only 45 percent of the vote.
Stanford was quick to point to the campaign’s limited resources, especially when compared to similar measures in Colorado and Washington state that were approved by voters.
“Washington had 11 times the money we had for this—we only had around $450,000, and most of that was spent just getting the measure on the ballot,” Stanford said.
Now that the measure has failed, the foundation plans to push legislation forward in the Oregon State Legislature, with the help of state legislators who have been working with them.
“Even with tonight, we are moving closer to a time where we are poised to legalize cannabis in Oregon in the near future,” Stanford said. “I mean—now anyone can just drive over to Washington and get whatever they want.”
The reality of insufficient funding plagued both Measure 80 and Measures 82 and 83, legislation that would have paved the way for legalized, privately owned casinos in Oregon, specifically one in Wood Village.
The campaign behind Measures 82 and 83 suspended operation on Oct. 16. That day, in a press release, the campaign blamed the “existing political and gaming monopoly in Oregon” for the action.
These three failed measures helped illustrate the difficulty in proposing controversial ballot measures without unlimited financial backing. This, to Portland State political communication professor Dr. Leslie Rill, helps explain how deeply money injects its influence into the political system.
“People always talk about how important social media is these days, and how it can be a big difference-maker. But the reality is that things are just left exactly the same as before—our American democratic system is inherently reliant on money.”
Portland’s Measure 26-146 passed with 59 percent of the vote, even with many on either side of the aisle citing their skepticism before Tuesday’s election. Heavily touted by Adams, the measure imposes an annual $35 income tax on all Portland residents living above the poverty line, to help refund arts in Portland Public Schools.
Here are all the ballot measure results:
Oregon Ballot Measure 77, which amends the state constitution to allow for the governor to declare a “catastrophic disaster,” passed 58 percent to 42 percent.
Oregon Ballot Measure 78, a housekeeping measure to change language in the state constitution describing separation of powers, passed 72 percent to 28 percent.
Oregon Ballot Measure 79, which prohibits real estate transfer taxes, has been approved 59 percent to 41 percent.
Oregon Ballot Measure 80, which would legalize marijuana use under state regulation, failed 45 percent to 55 percent.
Oregon Ballot Measure 81, which prohibits gillnets used in non-tribal fishing, failed 34 percent to 66 percent.
Oregon Ballot Measure 82, which would allow for the establishment of privately owned casinos, failed with only 28 percent of voters voting in the affirmative and 72 percent voting against.
Oregon Ballot Measure 83, which would authorize a privately owned casino in Wood Village, failed 29 percent to 71 percent.
Oregon Ballot Measure 84, which would phase out current inheritance taxes, has fallen 46 percent to 54 percent.
Oregon Ballot Measure 85, which reallocates the corporate income/excise tax “kicker” to K-12 education from corporations, passed 59 percent to 41 percent.
Multnomah County Measure 26–143, which would form a permanent fund for the Multnomah County Library, passed 62 percent to 38 percent.
Portland School District Measure 26–144, which would authorize up to $482 million to improve the physical condition of school properties, has passed 65 percent to 35 percent.
Portland City Measure 26–146, which would tax all Oregonians above the poverty line $35 annually to fund arts education in public schools, passed 60 percent to 40 percent.
