Oregonians defeated most of the 12 statewide ballot measures they faced on the November ballot.

 Click here for: Real time election results

Measures rejected
Voters rejected two education initiatives sponsored by anti-tax activist Bill Sizemore. Measure 60 would have required teacher pay to be based on "performance", not seniority. Measure 58 would have limited ESL education to two years. Both were defeated.

Voters also rejected Mesure 59, which would have made all Federal taxes deductible on Oregon tax returns. Although the measure would have reduced taxes, opponents effectively argued that those cuts would have gone mostly to the highest-earning Oregonians.

Voters also defeated Measure 63, which would have enabled property owners to do up to $35,000 in property improvements without needing permits.

Voters said no to the so-called "Two party" proposal, Measure 65, which would have made all final elections a two-candidate contest.

Measures approved
Among the most significant results, voters approved Measure 56, eliminating the so-called "double majority" requirement for May and November votes on tax issues.

The electorate approved Measure 57 by a wide margin and thus rejected a competing bill, Measure 61, both of which were aimed at increasing minimum prison sentences for non-violent property and drug crimes. Measure 57 was supported by the majority of Oregon's law enforcement community and expands treatment and prevention programs for nonviolent offenders. Supporters also say it was less expensive than Measure 61.

But the results of Measure 64, which would block public employee unions from using money they collect through payroll deductions for political purposes, was defeated by a narrow margin.

Here are the details on the 2008 statewide initiatives:

Ballot Measure 54 (KGW and Oregonian call - PASSED)

Title: Amends Constitution: Standardizes voting eligibility for school board elections with other state and local elections

Summary: Amends state constitution to eliminate school district voter eligibility requirements that are unenforceable under the U.S. Constitution and federal election statutes.

More: Measure 54

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Ballot Measure 55 (KGW and Oregonian call - PASSED)

Title: Amends Constitution: Changes operative date of redistricting plans; allows affected legislators to finish term in original district.

Summary: Amends state constitution; changes lines of state representative’s and state senator’s districts every 10 years, according to results of the U.S. census. Measure allows lawmakers to continue to serve out their full terms even after districts are redrawn according to Census results.

More: Measure 55

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Ballot Measure 56 (KGW and Oregonian call - PASSED)

Title: Amends Constitution: Provides that May and November property tax elections are decided by majority of voters voting.

Summary: Currently, 50 percent of voters must participate in an election to pass local property tax measures, meaning that non-votes have the effect of a “No” vote. This measure eliminates the voter turnout requirement for local property tax elections held in May and November.

More: Measure 56

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Ballot Measure 57 (KGW and Oregonian call - PASSED)

Title: Increases sentences for drug trafficking, theft against elderly and specified repeat property and identity theft crimes; requires addiction treatment for certain offenders.

Summary:Increases prison sentences for specific drug and property crimes. See state website for specific language.

More: Measure 57

 More: Measure 57 increases penalties for drug crimes, ID theft

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Ballot Measure 58 (KGW and Oregonian call - FAILED)

Title: Prohibits teaching public school student in language other than English for more than two years.

Summary: Provides that no public school student be taught in language other than English for more than two years, with exception of teaching foreign language to English-speaking students.

More: Measure 58

 More: Measure 58 would rewrite English teaching

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Ballot Measure 59 (KGW and Oregonian call - FAILED)

Title: Creates an unlimited deduction for federal income taxes on individual taxpayers’ Oregon income-tax return.

Summary: Currently, income taxpayers can only deduct a limited amount of federal income taxes when calculating their taxable income. Measure creates an unlimited deduction beginning in 2010 and provides specifically that: “No Oregon taxpayer shall be required to pay to the state, a local government, or other taxing district, an income tax of any kind on money paid to the federal government as federal income taxes.”

Measure will reduce state budget revenues by approximately $360 million in the first year, $1 billion in the second year and $1.2 billion per year after that.

More: Measure 59

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Ballot Measure 60 (KGW and Oregonian call - FAILED)

Title: Teacher “classroom performance,” not seniority, determines pay raises; “most qualified” teachers retained, regardless of seniority

Summary: School boards currently fix teacher’s salaries, retention and other contracted terms of employment subject to state laws, union bargaining, merit and federal laws. Measure would eliminate seniority as a criterion for pay raises and would require pay be based solely on a teacher’s “performance,” although the criterion for “performance” are undefined.

Measure will require between $30 million and $72 million in additional funding for the first year, according to the state, and cost between $30 million and $60 million after that.

More: Measure 60

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Ballot Measure 61 (FAILED)

Title: Creates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain theft, identity theft, forgery, drug, and burglary crimes.

Summary: Requires three-year minimum sentences for identity theft, first degree burglary, Class A and B felony drug charges and other non-violent crimes. See state’s website for specific language.

More: Measure 61

 More: Measure 61 requires mandatory minimums

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Ballot Measure 62 (KGW and Oregonian call - FAILED)

Title: Amends Constitution: Allocates 15 percent of lottery proceeds to public safety fund for crime prevention, investigation, prosecution

Summary: Constitution currently apportions lottery proceeds to “create jobs, further economic development and finance public education.” In addition to these expenditures the measure would require 15 percent of net lottery proceeds go directly toward public safety fund.

Measure would require $100 million in public safety spending out of lottery revenues from first year; $106 million for second year; $113 million for third year and $120 million for fourth year.

More: Measure 62

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Ballot Measure 63 (KGW and Oregonian call - FAILED)

Title: Exempts specified property owners from building permit requirements for improvements valued at/under $35,000

Summary:Currently, residential or farm property owners must comply with state and local building permit requirements when making improvements. Measure would create an exemption for improvements not exceeding $35,000 made within one calendar year. Improvements must also comply with applicable setback limits and height regulations.

Measure could reduce local government revenue between $4 million and $8 million each year, thereby limiting local spending as well.

More: Measure 63

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Ballot Measure 64

Title: Penalizes person, entity for using funds collected with "public resource" for "political purpose."

Summary: Currently, individuals can use money collected from public resources for political purposes. This measure would prohibit individuals and organizations from using money for political purposes if public resources were used in collecting it. All terms are defined in the measure.

More: Measure 64

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Ballot Measure 65 (KGW and Oregonian call - FAILED)

Title: Changes general election nomination processes for major/minor party, independent candidates for most partisan offices.

Summary:Major parties nominate their candidates through primaries currently, while minor parties and independents nominate candidates directly to general elections. This measure would change the nomination process for most partisan offices and voters would be able to choose any candidate regardless of party affiliation.

More: Measure 65