Oregon Ballot Measures: 2024 Election Results and Analysis
In the most recent general election, Oregon voters weighed in on five statewide ballot measures. These proposals ranged from fundamental changes to the state constitution regarding government accountability to shifts in voting systems and labor rights. Of the five measures presented, two were passed by the electorate, while three were rejected.
Key Facts
- Two measures passed: Measure 115 (Impeachment) and Measure 119 (Cannabis Unionization).
- Three measures failed: Measure 116 (Compensation Commission), Measure 117 (Ranked-Choice Voting), and Measure 118 (Corporate Tax Rebate).
- Constitutional Change: Oregon is no longer the only state without an impeachment doctrine in its constitution.
- Legal Reversal: Although Measure 119 passed, it was later struck down by a federal court and repealed by the legislature.
- Broadest Opposition: Measure 118 was rejected in all 36 Oregon counties.
Measure 115: Impeachment of Elected State Executives
Measure 115 was a successful amendment to the Constitution of Oregon. It grants the Oregon State Legislature the authority to impeach and remove statewide elected officials within the Executive branch. This includes the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and the Commissioner of Labor and Industries.
The amendment defines grounds for impeachment as malfeasance (wrongdoing by a public official), corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty, or other felonies and high crimes. The process requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in the Oregon House of Representatives to impeach. Following impeachment, the chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court presides over a trial in the Oregon State Senate, where another two-thirds supermajority is required for conviction.
The drive for this measure followed the May 1, 2023, resignation of Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. Fagan resigned after reports surfaced that she worked as a private consultant for La Mota, a cannabis dispensary chain, while her office's Audits Division was auditing the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Prior to this amendment, Oregon's only mechanism for removing officials was the recall process, which had never successfully removed a governor or statewide official in state history.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบ
Measure 116: Independent Public Service Compensation Commission
Measure 116 proposed the creation of an Independent Public Service Compensation Commission to determine salaries for specific government officials, thereby removing the legislature's authority to set these salaries. However, voters rejected the measure.
Opposition to the amendment, including editorials from The Oregonian and Willamette Week, argued that the commission would not be truly independent, as the Oregon Legislature would still control appointments and operational guidelines.
Measure 117: Ranked-Choice Voting
Measure 117 sought to introduce ranked-choice voting (also known as instant-runoff voting) for federal and state elections starting in 2028. Under this system, voters rank candidates by preference rather than selecting a single candidate (plurality voting). The candidate who secures a majority in the final round wins.
While states like Maine and Alaska have adopted this system, and Oregon counties such as Benton and Multnomah use it for local elections, voters rejected the statewide expansion.
Measure 118: Corporate Tax Revenue Rebate
Measure 118 was a proposed initiative to increase the state corporate minimum tax to 3% for businesses with sales exceeding $25 million. The resulting revenue would have provided a $1,600 tax rebate to all Oregon residents, regardless of income level.
This measure faced intense opposition from a broad coalition, including Governor Tina Kotek and State Treasurer Tobias Read. Critics argued that businesses would pass the tax increase to consumers through higher prices and criticized the lack of income or age requirements for the rebate. The initiative was overwhelmingly defeated in every single one of Oregon's 36 counties.
Measure 119: Unionization of Cannabis Workers
Measure 119 was a successful initiative designed to make it easier for workers in the cannabis industry to unionize by requiring retailers and producers to remain neutral during labor organization communications. The Oregon Department of Employment estimated that 7,281 workers would be affected.
Despite passing at the ballot box, the measure was short-lived. On May 20, 2025, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon declared it unconstitutional, citing violations of the free speech of business owners and preemption by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Consequently, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 4162 in 2026 to fully repeal the measure.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบ
Election Summary Table
| Measure | Focus | Yes % | No % | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | Executive Impeachment | 64.20% | 35.80% | Passed |
| 116 | Salary Commission | 47.54% | 52.46% | Rejected |
| 117 | Ranked-Choice Voting | 42.30% | 57.70% | Rejected |
| 118 | Corporate Tax Rebate | 22.53% | 77.47% | Rejected |
| 119 | Cannabis Unionization | 56.74% | 43.26% | Passed (Later Repealed) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process for impeaching an official under Measure 115?
The process begins with a two-thirds supermajority vote in the Oregon House of Representatives to impeach. If successful, a trial is held in the Oregon State Senate, presided over by the chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Conviction requires another two-thirds supermajority vote from the state senators.
Why was Measure 118 so controversial?
Measure 118 was controversial because it proposed a universal rebate regardless of income, meaning billionaires would receive the same $1,600 check as low-income residents. Additionally, opponents feared the increased corporate tax on businesses with over $25 million in sales would lead to higher consumer prices.
What happened to Measure 119 after it passed?
Although voters approved it, a federal judge struck down Measure 119 on May 20, 2025, ruling it unconstitutional due to free speech violations and conflict with the National Labor Relations Act. It was officially repealed by the Oregon Legislature via House Bill 4162 in 2026.
How does ranked-choice voting differ from the current system?
Unlike the current plurality system where voters choose one candidate, ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority, the lowest-ranking candidates are eliminated and their votes are redistributed until a winner with a majority is determined.
Which statewide officials can now be impeached in Oregon?
The Oregon Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and the Commissioner of Labor and Industries are all subject to impeachment under the new constitutional amendment.