ORS 251.255
Filing arguments for or against measure

  • fee or petition
  • size of argument space
  • verification of signatures
  • electronic filing
  • rules

(1)

Not sooner than the 120th day and not later than the 70th day before a general election or the 68th day before a special election held on the date of any primary election at which a state measure is to be voted upon, any person may file with the Secretary of State an argument supporting or opposing the measure.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A person filing an argument under this section shall pay a fee of $1,200 to the Secretary of State when the argument is filed or may submit a petition in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State containing the signatures of 500 active electors. Each person signing the petition shall subscribe to a statement that the person has read and agrees with the argument.

(b)

The signatures on each petition shall be verified by the county clerk or the Secretary of State.

(c)

The Secretary of State by rule shall establish procedures for verifying whether a petition submitted under this subsection contains the required number of signatures of active electors.

(3)

An argument filed under this section must be filed using the electronic filing system adopted by the Secretary of State under ORS 251.014 (Electronic filing system).

(4)

The Secretary of State by rule shall establish the size and length of arguments permitted under ORS 251.245 (Committee to prepare and file argument in support of measure referred by Legislative Assembly) and this section, except that the length of an argument may not exceed 325 words. The size and length limitations shall be the same for arguments submitted under ORS 251.245 (Committee to prepare and file argument in support of measure referred by Legislative Assembly) or this section. [Formerly 255.415; 1989 c.646 §1; 1995 c.712 §45; 1999 c.318 §18; 2005 c.797 §55; 2009 c.817 §3; 2011 c.646 §8; 2013 c.518 §6; 2017 c.749 §26]

Source: Section 251.255 — Filing arguments for or against measure; fee or petition; size of argument space; verification of signatures; electronic filing; rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors251.­html.

(formerly 255.415)

See also annotations under ORS 255.421 in permanent edition.

Notes of Decisions

Each group filing arguments with the Secretary of State for the initiative measures contained in the voters’ pamphlet may file only one argument. Oregonians for Nuclear Safeguards v. Myers, 276 Or 167, 554 P2d 172 (1976)

251.005
Definitions 251.008
Joint production of state and county voters’ pamphlet 251.012
Size, format and distribution of voters’ pamphlet 251.014
Electronic filing system 251.016
Disposition of fee 251.022
Voters’ pamphlet for election to fill vacancy in office of United States Senator or Representative in Congress 251.026
Statements and information included in voters’ pamphlets 251.046
Content of statements and arguments 251.049
Names or titles of persons or names of organizations excluded from arguments and statements 251.055
Type of material to be excluded from pamphlet 251.065
Filing portrait and statement by or for candidate 251.067
Inclusion of portrait and statement of candidate for county, city or metropolitan service district office 251.069
Map of metropolitan service district to be printed in certain pamphlets 251.075
Portrait requirements 251.085
Format of candidate’s statement 251.087
Secretary of State review of candidate portrait and statement 251.095
Candidate space in voters’ pamphlet 251.115
Statement of statewide and less than statewide political party or assembly 251.125
Disclaimer 251.135
Withdrawal of material 251.145
Exemption from public records law 251.155
Statements and arguments inadmissible in action to enjoin publication of pamphlet 251.165
Preparing material for inclusion in state voters’ pamphlet 251.167
Secretary of State creation of list of five most commonly spoken languages 251.170
Requirements for translation of voters’ pamphlets 251.173
Translation Advisory Council 251.175
Distribution of pamphlet 251.185
Measures, estimates, statements and arguments included in voters’ pamphlet 251.195
Form for printing proposed constitutional amendment 251.205
Appointment of committee to draft explanatory statement of measure proposed by initiative or referendum 251.215
Preparation and filing of explanatory statement of measure 251.225
Preparation and filing of explanatory statement by Legislative Counsel Committee 251.230
Effect if explanatory statement not filed 251.235
Supreme Court review of explanatory statement 251.245
Committee to prepare and file argument in support of measure referred by Legislative Assembly 251.255
Filing arguments for or against measure 251.260
Secretary of State review of arguments for error in identification of measure number or designation of support or opposition to measure 251.265
Inclusion of author of argument, author’s organization and notice of support or opposition to measure in voters’ pamphlet 251.285
Inclusion of community college district measure relating to bonding, county measure or metropolitan service district measure in voters’ pamphlet 251.295
Radio and television broadcasts to supplement pamphlet 251.305
County voters’ pamphlet 251.315
Information required to be included in voters’ pamphlet 251.325
Schedule and procedures for producing and distributing pamphlet 251.335
Filing portrait and statement by or for candidate 251.345
Explanatory statement 251.355
Filing arguments for or against measure 251.365
Cost of pamphlet preparation 251.375
Exception to ORS 251.365 for certain districts 251.385
“Electoral district” defined for ORS 251.345 to 251.375 251.395
Content of statements and arguments 251.405
Names or titles of persons or names of organizations excluded from arguments and statements 251.415
Type of material to be excluded from pamphlet 251.425
Format of candidate’s statement 251.430
Exemption from public records law 251.435
Statements and arguments inadmissible in action to enjoin publication of pamphlet
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through early 2024

§ 251.255’s source at oregon​.gov