Ballot Measures

Currently, when many candidates are running, a candidate can win with just 30% of the vote – meaning most people voted for someone else. Measure 117 alters that by guaranteeing that the winning candidate is supported by the most voters. It would make sure people in power are elected by a true 50% majority.

Ranked-choice Voting (RCV) changes the traditional voting system, raising concerns over its potential impact on the integrity of the electoral process.

With RCV a voter has the option to rank candidates in order of preference: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. A voter can choose to rank candidates, or choose just one as is the current practice. If passed, RCV would first be used in 2028, allowing ample time to educate voters about the process. 

There are substantial costs involved with implementing RCV which counties may not have funds for. 

Right now, voting often feels like choosing between the lesser of two evils. Voting for a less popular candidate one is passionate about can feel like wasting one's vote because that candidate has virtually no chance of winning. Measure 117 would allow a voter the option to rank candidates in order of preference, providing greater opportunity to vote flexibly and without compromise. 

RCV poses complexity and potential for confusion among voters. Ensuing complications could fuel conspiracy theories. It would surrender the current autonomy of county election officials, as it would remove the final vote tallying done by county officials. 

Nearly all U.S. jurisdictions that have used RCV still do. Over the last 50 years, dozens of local jurisdictions have adopted RCV, only four of which have repealed it. The most recent repeal took place more than a decade ago. Evidence shows that voters in jurisdictions using RCV support it and want to continue using it. The fact that RCV treats every vote equally has been recognized by every court that has examined the issue. 

Election officials are responsible for implementing this, should it pass. When all the mass confusion and flaws come out, your election officials will be sitting through legislative hearings trying to amend how this is currently written. 

"Many of the communities we serve have faced numerous barriers to participating in our democracy. Measure 117 would change that by giving Oregon voters more choice on their ballots” -- Marcus Mundy, Executive Director of Coalition of Communities of Color. 

"We receive a lot of complaints about it taking so long to get results. This will delay results further. And we feel like we’re going to get complaints on transparency because we aren’t the final tally that goes forward.” -- Klamath County Clerk Rochelle Long 

Endorsed by the Coalition of Communities of Color, the Urban League of Portland, Oregon ACLU, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste and others. 

The Oregon Association of County Clerks and the Oregon Republican Party oppose the measure.