politics

Election Day: Oregon Measures To Watch

By Amanda Peacher (OPB)
Nov. 3, 2015 4:26 p.m.

Oregon voters weigh in Tuesday on a number of local ballot measures. Voters have until 8:00 p.m. to drop ballots at official drop box sites. Here are some of the top measures to watch across the state:

Coos County Gun Rights
This ballot measure, called the "Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance," seeks to prohibit the use of county funds to enforce the state background-check mandate, or new gun restrictions in the future. It also directs the sheriff to determine whether gun laws violate the state or U.S. constitution.

Grants Pass Sales Tax
The two percent sales tax would fund public safety services including new jail beds, and would allow the city to reopen the Grants Pass detention center. The sheriff's office and other city services have been hit hard by dwindling federal timber subsidies. Josephine County has one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, but voters have rejected proposed increases multiple times over the past several years.

Eugene Library Measure
The $13.5 million levy would cost the average taxpayer about $36 annually for the next five years. The funding would allow the library to expand hours and services that were cut in recent years.

Washington County Public Safety and Library Levies
Washington County voters will weigh in on two property tax measures. The public safety measure would renew the property tax levy assessing 42 cents per every $1,000 of property value. The measure would fund public services like an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, juvenile crime reduction programs and a jail and work release center.

Another property tax measure would continue funding for libraries, costing voters 22 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value. The measure would allow the library to avoid service cuts and maintain existing hours.

Troutdale Gas Tax
Voters will weigh in on a 3 cents per gallon gas tax to fund street maintenance. The tax would be phased in over the next three years.

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Southwest Washington
The election in Washington state is all about local races. Voters in southwest Washington will elect candidates for mayor, city council, ports and county-wide seats. Read more about races in southwest Washington.

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