Measure 56 would repeal the double-majority rule on all primary and general elections sponsored by Bill Sizemore in 1996. For Jeff Alworth, “Measure 56 really poses a philosophical question to voters: who should have the right to make law in Oregon–those who vote or those who can’t be bothered?” Joseph Frazier of the Associated Press reports, ” Supporters say it’s not right for tax increases to be imposed on people if most don’t bother to vote….Critics say the law makes it unnecessarily difficult for local districts to raise tax money, especially in a state that makes it exceptionally easy to vote. Oregon is the only state where all voting is done by mail, and every registered voter is mailed a ballot.”
Many of the states largest newspapers are endorsing the measure. In editorial in the Oregonian, “Measure 56 on the fall ballot would repair an undemocratic Oregon rule known as the “double majority.” The Medford Mail Tribune takes a similar stand, “‘Double majority’ rule good for the ‘no new taxes’ crowd, but not for Oregon. Besides, it’s not how democracy works.” Further, The Bend Bulletin contends, “Many casualties of the double-majority requirement do pass eventually, often by crowding onto the ballot during a simple-majority election. But rationing democracy in this fashion is both offensive and, it seems to us, harmful even to those who support the double majority.”
Opponents of Measure 56 respond by saying passage would weaken a law which has stopped numerous tax hikes from coming to fruition. A “No” vote would maintain the double-majority rule that requires a 50 percent turn out as well as a majority of votes favoring a potential tax hike.
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