From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 3 min
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.
May 23, 1978
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| 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%) |
|
| Measure 9 | Utilities | Prohibit public utilities from collecting rates based on non-utility-related costs. |
|
589,361 (69%) |
267,132 (31%) |
State of Oregon Salem (capital) | |
|---|---|
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