Voting Matters Oregon
Vote Yes on Measure 56

Get the most votes, you win. It’s the most basic principle of democracy. It sounds like the system we already have, but it’s not.

Thanks to Bill Sizemore, Oregon’s local elections are decided by people who don’t even bother to vote. As ridiculous as it sounds, for more than a decade, local elections have been decided under the “Double Majority” rule, which requires local measures to be passed by a majority of eligible voters, regardless of whether they vote or not.

No‐shows count as “no” votes. This means registered voters who have moved out of state are “no” votes. People on vacation are counted as “no” votes. Ballots thrown in the trash are counted as “no” votes. DEAD PEOPLE are even counted as “no”.

The current system is outdated, unfair, and unnecessary. Voting in Oregon has never been easier. Everyone votes by mail and has weeks to fill out their ballot. Someone who doesn’t bother to vote shouldn’t cancel out the voice of someone who does. Measure 56 returns power to Oregonians who vote.

One person, one vote. It’s a concept every elementary school student understands. Voting is one of the most important things a citizen can do. Participating in local elections is how we make our voices heard. Local communities have the right to act on good ideas instead of being penalized by the apathy of non‐voters.

Measure 56 restores fairness to local elections by ensuring that elections are determined by those who vote – not by those who don’t. Majority still rules.