Oregon House OKs bills for election equity, transparency

Equity and transparency in local and state elections got a boost from bills passed by the Oregon House of Representatives on Wednesday, supporters said.

The Oregon Voting Rights Act, or House Bill 3310, ensures there is equity in elections for school districts, education service districts, and community college districts. It prohibits district elections that do not allow members of a protected class to have an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice, or equal opportunity to influence the outcome of an election.

“The Oregon Voting Rights Act is about making our democracy stronger and making sure that every Oregonian has a voice in the process,” said chief sponsor Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland). “Our representatives in government should reflect the communities they represent. This legislation is about giving diverse communities equal opportunity in that process.”

The legislation also creates a process for individuals in a protected class to file a claim against their districts and for those districts to come into compliance.

Joining Rep. Hernandez as a chief sponsor of the bill are Rep. Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis), Sen. Tim Knopp (R-Bend) and Sen. James Manning (D-Eugene). Signed on as sponsors are a bipartisan, bicameral group of more than 20 legislators. The bill passed the House 46 to 12 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The House also passed House Bill 3348, 52 to 5, which seeks to ensure voters know when a ballot measure has a financial impact to the state but does not identify a source of revenue. It would require the phrase, “MEASURE SPENDS MONEY WITHOUT IDENTIFYING A FUNDING SOURCE,” be added to the voter pamphlet statement if the measure has an anticipated cost exceeding $100,000.

“This simple transparency measure will ensure that voters have necessary information when deciding whether or not to pass ballot measures that add cost to the state,” said chief sponsor Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene). “We have limited resources and while we see many worthwhile measures, voters should always know their financial impact.”

In 2017 alone, unfunded ballot measures passed by voters added nearly $357 million in costs to the state budget.

Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis) is a chief sponsor of the measure with Rep. Nathanson. Rep. Margaret Doherty (D-Tigard), Rep. Paul Evans (D-Monmouth and Independence), Rep. Julie Fahey (West Eugene and Junction City), Rep. Hernandez, Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), Rep. Jeff Reardon (D-Happy Valley, and Sen. James Manning (D-Eugene) signed on as sponsors.

It now goes to the Senate for consideration.