Decision 2024: Oregon is only state in the nation with no impeachment process – but that could change this election

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- As we wrap up our breakdown of this election's state and local ballot measures, one of the last measures yet to be discussed is Measure 115.

If passed, Measure 115 would allow the Oregon Legislature to impeach elected officials in the Executive Branch. That includes the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

The process would look like this: The Oregon House would need a two-thirds "yes" vote to send the impeachment resolution to the state Senate. The Senate then would need at least two-thirds to vote "yes" to convict. The Oregon Supreme Court would preside over the trial.

Oregon is the only state left in the nation that does not have an impeachment process for elected officials. Currently, a recall election is the only way to remove an official. That means 15% of the total votes in the last election would be required within 90 days. A petition would need nearly 300,000 valid signatures to recall the governor. It would also take almost a year to organize a recall election. 

In the past, state officials who were at risk of recall have resigned. In 2015, Governor John Kitzhaber resigned after a conflict of interest scandal involving his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. He was later replaced by Kate Brown, who had five recall attempts made against her. Those did not pass because organizers couldn't get enough signatures. There has never been a successful recall of a statewide elected official.

Opponents of the measure say this could be a way for a majority party to kick out a legislator they don't agree with.

No financial impact statement has been determined, because impeachment trials vary in length.