Oregon 1978 ballot measures

1980 →

<- 1977

In 1978, voters decided on 18 statewide ballot measures in Oregon. On May 23, voters decided on six measures. On November 7, voters decided on 12 measures.

* One of the measures was an advisory question.
* Three of the measures were initiated constitutional amendments.
* Four of the measures were initiated state statutes.
* Seven of the measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
* Two of the measures were legislatively referred state statutes.
* One of the measures was a veto referendum.
* Voters approved ten (55.6%) and rejected eight (44.4%) measures.

## On the ballot[edit]

May 23, 1978

Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes

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LRCA

| Measure 1 | Direct democracy; Local government | Require a 90-day minimum for filing petitions and set signature requirements for petitions based on the county's Governor election percentage. |

306,506 (66%)

156,623 (34%)

LRCA

| Measure 2 | State legislatures | Require open joint committees meetings and establish rules for transparency in each house and joint activities involving both houses. |

435,338 (84%)

80,176 (16%)

LRCA

| Measure 3 | Housing; Welfare | Authorizes bonds up to one-half of one percent of true cash value of taxable property to fund multifamily housing for low income elderly. |

291,778 (54%)

250,810 (46%)

LRCA

| Measure 4 | Water; Bonds | Authorize bond debt up to 0.5% of the value of property in the state to acquire local government obligations for public water systems. |

148,822 (30%)

351,843 (70%)

LRSS

| Measure 5 | Taxes; Transportation | Prioritize highway maintenance under the Six Year Highway Improvement Plan before new highway construction and increase the state motor vehicle fuel tax from 7¢ to 9¢ per gallon. |

190,301 (34%)

365,170 (66%)

November 7, 1978

Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes

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CICA

| Measure 10 | Administration; State legislatures; Property | Require the legislature to assume the Land Conservation and Development Commission's policy-making responsibilities. |

334,523 (39%)

515,138 (61%)

LRCA

| Measure 11 | Property; Taxes | Halve homeowners' taxes by up to $1,500 and offer similar relief to renters; freeze assessed property values for one tax year. |

334,523 (39%)

515,138 (61%)

| Measure 12 | Federal constitutional | Advise officials of support for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would "require a federal balanced budget, except in the event of a national emergency" |

641,862 (83%)

134,758 (17%)

LRCA

| Measure 1 | State judiciary; Elections | Authorize the governor to appoint judges from nonpartisan nominations, serving until the next general election, followed by a six-year elected term. |

358,504 (44%)

449,132 (56%)

LRCA

| Measure 2 | State legislatures; Executive officials | Require State Senate confirmation for Governor-appointed state public offices, excluding judges, U.S. Senators and Representatives, and local positions. |

468,458 (57%)

349,604 (43%)

| Measure 3 | Taxes; Transportation | Require annual vehicle registration, adjust carrier rates, reduce recreational vehicle fees, and require emissions tests for Portland Metropolitan Area vehicles. |

208,722 (24%)

673,802 (76%)

CISS

| Measure 4 | Utilities | Allow the creation of People’s Utility Districts to authorize bonds for initial utility facilities and supply public utility services and shorten formation procedures. |

375,587 (44%)

471,027 (56%)

CISS

| Measure 5 | Healthcare; Business | Require the licensing of denturists and their assistants, establish licensing requirements, and create the Advisory Council on Denture Technology. |

704,480 (78%)

201,463 (22%)

CICA

| Measure 6 | Property; Taxes | Limit ad valorem real property taxes to 1.5% “full cash value," with a maximum 2% annual inflation increase. |

424,029 (48%)

453,741 (52%)

CICA

| Measure 7 | Abortion | Prohibit state agencies from spending public money for abortions and from providing any programs or services promoting abortion |

431,577 (48%)

461,542 (52%)

CISS

| Measure 8 | Death penalty | Require a separate sentencing procedure after a murder conviction with the death penalty based on the judge’s findings of deliberate actions and ongoing threat to society. |

573,707 (64%)

318,610 (36%)

CISS

| Measure 9 | Utilities | Prohibit public utilities from collecting rates based on non-utility-related costs. |

589,361 (69%)

267,132 (31%)

## See also[edit]

* Laws governing the initiative process in Oregon
* Types of ballot measures in Oregon
* List of Oregon ballot measures
* 1978 ballot measures

## External links[edit]

* Oregon Voter Guide (May 1978)
* Oregon Voter Guide (November 1978)

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1978 ballot measures

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